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CPT 67820: Removal of Deviated or Abnormal Eyelashes (Epilation)
CPT code 67820 covers epilation by forceps for removal of deviated or abnormal eyelashes (trichiasis). This simple, targeted procedure relieves ocular irritation and reduces risk of corneal injury when individual lashes rub against the eye. As a frequently used minor ophthalmic service, 67820 is relevant to outpatient ophthalmology practices and ambulatory surgical centers nationwide.
Key payers addressed in this overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication outlines payer coverage patterns and coding context for 67820, and situates the code within common clinical workflows and related eyelid procedures.
Readers will find a concise clinical description of the service, common diagnosis mappings for trichiasis, associated procedure codes for related eyelid care, and typical settings where the service is delivered. The report also highlights common modifiers and billing considerations used with minor ophthalmic procedures, as well as connections to broader outpatient ophthalmology service lines. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 67820 describes removal of deviated or abnormal eyelashes (trichiasis) using forceps to extract lashes that irritate the eye. This procedure is a minor ophthalmic intervention focused on removing individual offending lashes to relieve corneal or conjunctival irritation.
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Service type: Minor eyelid procedure, lash epilation
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Typical site of service: Ophthalmology clinic or outpatient procedure room
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Medicare’s mean payment of $19.2 sits well below the BUCA commercial average of $112.9, illustrating a substantial gap between public and commercial reimbursement for CPT 67820. This spread highlights how Medicare functions as a low-anchor payer for this code, while BUCA’s mean aligns with higher commercial norms; the difference between them is $93.7.
Dispersion varies notably across payers: Blue Cross Blue Shield has a wide interquartile spread (P75–P25 = $60.0), indicating high variability, while Aetna’s spread is $28.0 and Cigna’s is $40.9, both more moderate. UnitedHealth Group’s spread is $33.1. BUCA’s interquartile spread is $52.6 and Medicare’s is tight at $2.0, making Medicare the most compressed and Blue Cross Blue Shield the most dispersed among the listed payers.