Summary & Overview
CPT 67882: Tarsorrhaphy for Eyelid Closure to Protect the Cornea
CPT code 67882 defines a tarsorrhaphy procedure in which the inner edges of the eyelids are excised and sutured together to allow the eyelids to heal closed, protecting the cornea during treatment of corneal disease or injury. This code captures a targeted oculoplastic surgery used to manage exposure keratopathy, persistent epithelial defects, and other conditions where mechanical protection of the cornea is required. Nationally, accurate coding of 67882 matters for clinical documentation, surgical quality measurement, and appropriate claims processing for ophthalmology services.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical purpose of the procedure, typical sites of service, and the service type. The publication summarizes common billing contexts, commonly reported modifiers (input provided), and highlights where data was not provided. It also outlines what readers can expect to learn about reimbursement benchmarks, coding nuances, and clinical context relevant to payers and provider billing teams.
Data not available in the input includes associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and payer-specific coverage rules. The report is written for a national audience and focuses on the clinical and coding identity of CPT code 67882.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 67882 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider excises the inner edges of the eyelids and sutures them together, partially or fully, at the center or at either corner. The procedure results in the eyelids healing in a closed position to protect and allow healing of the cornea in the setting of corneal disease or injury.
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Service type: Surgical oculoplastic procedure focused on eyelid closure (tarsorrhaphy)
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Typical site of service: Ophthalmology operating room or ambulatory surgical center, and in some cases an outpatient clinic procedure room where minor surgical procedures are performed
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult or pediatric patient with severe corneal disease, full-thickness corneal ulceration, or extensive ocular surface trauma leading to exposure or risk of further corneal damage. The patient presents to an ophthalmology clinic or outpatient ambulatory surgery center with a non-healing corneal defect, severe corneal infection, chemical injury, or ocular surface necrosis. After initial medical management (topical antimicrobials, cycloplegics, lubrication, and systemic therapy as indicated) and ophthalmic assessment including slit-lamp examination, fluorescein staining, and tear-film evaluation, the surgical plan for temporary or permanent tarsorrhaphy is made.
The procedure is performed by an ophthalmologist (oculoplastic or corneal specialist) in an operating room or procedure room under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia depending on age and cooperation. The provider excises portions of the eyelid margins (inner edges) and sutures the lids partially or fully closed at the medial, central, or lateral segments to protect the cornea and promote healing. Postoperative care includes topical medications, wound checks, and planned follow-up for suture removal or reverse tarsorrhaphy when corneal healing permits. Typical sites of service are outpatient surgical centers, hospital outpatient departments, or specialty ophthalmology clinics equipped for minor operative procedures.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services |