Headline: CPT code 67331: Add-on strabismus surgery for eyes with prior injury or prior non-muscle ocular procedures

Lead: CPT code 67331 denotes an add-on surgical service for strabismus correction when prior ocular injury or earlier eye procedures (not involving extraocular muscles) increase operative complexity. The code captures the additional work and planning required to address factors such as scar tissue or altered anatomy.

CPT code 67331 matters nationally because it differentiates routine strabismus procedures from those requiring greater surgical effort due to prior trauma or non-muscle ocular operations, which can affect coding, billing, and reimbursement processes across payers. Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.

Readers will learn: the clinical context and proper use of this add-on surgical code; typical sites of service where the procedure is performed; common modifiers and billing considerations (listed separately); and how payers commonly approach coverage for add-on ophthalmologic procedures. The publication also provides benchmarks and policy context relevant to coding integrity and procedural documentation.

This summary is intended for national audiences including coding professionals, ophthalmic surgeons, and revenue cycle staff who need concise guidance on when CPT code 67331 applies and what operational factors influence its use.