CPT 67825 Trichiasis Lash Destruction Reimbursement | OpenPayer

Summary & Overview

CPT 67825: Destruction of Abnormal Eyelashes (Trichiasis)

CPT code 67825 is used for the destructive removal of deviated or abnormal eyelashes (trichiasis) that irritate the eye, performed with laser, electrical, or cryogenic devices. This code captures a common minor ophthalmic intervention that prevents corneal irritation and recurrent ocular surface injury when aberrant lashes contact the globe. Nationally, the procedure is performed in outpatient ophthalmology clinics and ambulatory surgical centers and is relevant to coverage determinations, bundled payment considerations, and procedural coding accuracy.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find clinical context around the indication for lash destruction, typical service settings, and the code's role in outpatient ophthalmic care. The publication also outlines common modifiers and administrative considerations where available, payer coverage patterns, and potential billing pitfalls to watch for in claims processing.

This summary equips billing specialists, ophthalmology practices, and policy analysts with a concise understanding of the code's purpose, where it is typically performed, and the payer mix that commonly reimburses these services. Data not available in the input will be noted where applicable in the full publication.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare67825CPTophthalmologytrichiasislash destructionoutpatient procedureambulatory surgeryocular surfaceprocedural coding

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 67825 describes removal of deviated or abnormal eyelashes (trichiasis) by destructive means. The provider destroys unwanted lashes that cause eye irritation using a device that applies laser light, electrical current, or extreme cold temperature.

Service type: Minor ophthalmic procedure for destruction of aberrant eyelashes
Typical site of service: Outpatient ophthalmology or oculoplastic clinic, procedure room, or ambulatory surgical center

Data not available in the input.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 62-year-old patient presents to an ophthalmology clinic with chronic ocular irritation and localized corneal epithelial defects due to inward-turning eyelashes (trichiasis) of the lower lid. After topical anesthesia and slit-lamp examination confirming misdirected lashes contacting the globe, the ophthalmologist performs lash ablation using cryotherapy (or electrocautery/laser) to destroy the aberrant lash follicles. The workflow includes: pre-procedure consent and medical history review; instillation of topical anesthetic and antiseptic; visualization and isolation of offending lashes with forceps; application of the chosen destructive modality to the lash follicles; immediate post-procedure assessment for pain, bleeding, or eyelid contour changes; and aftercare instructions with topical antibiotic ointment and follow-up in 1–2 weeks to assess epithelial healing and need for repeat treatment.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the physician professional portion and the technical component is billed separately by another entity.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned.

CPT 67820: Correction of Trichiasis by Forceps Epilation

CPT-67835-TRICHIASIS-EXCISION-EYELID-MARGIN-SKIN-GRAFT

CPT 67835: Excision of Trichiasis with Eyelid Margin Skin Graft

CPT-67840-EYELID-LESION-EXCISION

CPT 67840: Excision of Diseased or Damaged Eyelid, Excluding Chalazion

CPT-67808-CHALAZION-EXCISION-UNDER-GENERAL-ANESTHESIA

CPT 67808: Excision of Chalazia Under General Anesthesia

CPT-67800-CHALAZION-EXCISION-EYELID

CPT 67800: Chalazion Excision of Eyelid

CPT-67830-TRICHIASIS-EYELASH-REMOVAL-INCISION-OF-EYELID-MARGIN

CPT 67830: Removal of Deviated or Abnormal Eyelashes (Trichiasis)

CPT-67810-EYELID-SKIN-BIOPSY- EYELID-MARGIN-BIOPSY

CPT 67810: Eyelid Skin Biopsy, Eyelid Margin

CPT-67805-REMOVAL-MULTIPLE-CHALAZIA-EYELID

CPT 67805: Removal of Multiple Chalazia from Eyelids

CPT-67801-CHALAZIA-REMOVAL-MULTIPLE-SAME-EYELID

CPT 67801: Removal of Multiple Chalazia, Same Eyelid

CPT-67850-EYELID-MARGIN-LESION-DESTRUCTION-UP-TO-1CM

CPT 67850: Destruction of Eyelid Margin Lesion ≤1 cm

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207W00000X	Ophthalmology	Primary specialty performing eyelid and lash procedures.
207K00000X	Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Oculoplastic)	Specialists managing complex eyelid margin disease and surgical interventions.
164W00000X	Dermatology	May perform lash treatments when managing eyelid skin disorders or trichiasis in certain settings.
363L00000X	Physician Assistant	Common mid-level provider assisting or performing under supervision in clinic-based procedures.
363A00000X	Nurse Practitioner	Mid-level provider performing or assisting with in-office lash ablation under state scope.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`H02.831`	Trichiasis of right lower eyelid	Direct diagnosis indicating misdirected lashes on the right lower eyelid treated with lash ablation.
`H02.832`	Trichiasis of left lower eyelid	Direct diagnosis for left-side lower lid trichiasis treated by ablation.
`H02.833`	Trichiasis of right upper eyelid	Upper lid trichiasis that may require ablation depending on location.
`H02.834`	Trichiasis of left upper eyelid	Left upper lid misdirected lashes addressed by the procedure.
`H16.221`	Corneal epithelial erosion, right eye	Represents corneal injury from lash contact; often an indication for lash destruction.
`H16.222`	Corneal epithelial erosion, left eye	Left eye corneal epithelial damage related to trichiasis.
`H01.001`	Blepharitis, unspecified, right eye	Chronic eyelid inflammation that can coexist with trichiasis and contribute to lash misdirection.
`H01.002`	Blepharitis, unspecified, left eye	Left eye blepharitis as contributing factor to lash abnormalities.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`67820`	Epilation, any method, epilation of eyelashes by removal of hair and follicle from eyelid, up to 1/3 of lid margin or stump; one lid	Performed when limited focal epilation with follicle removal is indicated instead of ablative destruction.
`67821`	Epilation, any method, epilation of eyelashes by removal of hair and follicle from eyelid, more than 1/3 of lid margin; one lid	Used for more extensive epilation when multiple lashes/fractional margin involvement exists.
`67840`	Corrective procedure of entropion or trichiasis; one lid	Surgical correction for recurrent or anatomically based trichiasis when ablation is insufficient.
`67850`	Correction of entropion, major operation, with grafting, one lid	Used when structural eyelid repair with grafting is necessary for severe entropion causing lash misdirection.
`99213`	Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, moderate complexity	Common pre-procedure or post-procedure E/M visit for assessment and follow-up after lash ablation.

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