Summary & Overview
HCPCS Level II S0800: Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
HCPCS Level II code S0800 denotes Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), a common refractive corneal surgery that uses laser technology to reshape the cornea and correct refractive errors. Nationally, LASIK is a high-volume elective ophthalmic procedure with implications for outpatient surgical capacity, patient access to vision-correcting services, and payer coverage policy for elective refractive surgery.
Key payers in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for LASIK, payer coverage patterns, and benchmarking information where available. The publication summarizes common billing and administrative considerations tied to S0800, contrasts coverage approaches among major payers, and highlights policy and coding nuances that affect claims processing and eligibility.
This resource is aimed at billing managers, ophthalmology clinics, and policy analysts seeking a national-perspective summary of S0800 for operational planning, claims submission guidance, and payer discussions. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code S0800 represents Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), a refractive surgical procedure that reshapes the cornea using a laser to correct vision errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. This code denotes the professional service tied to the LASIK procedure.
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Service type: Refractive corneal surgery
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Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or ophthalmic surgical suite
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 29-year-old otherwise healthy patient presents to an ophthalmology clinic seeking correction of symptomatic refractive error. The patient reports contact lens intolerance and desires reduced dependence on glasses for distance vision. Preoperative evaluation includes a comprehensive eye exam with manifest and cycloplegic refraction, corneal topography, pachymetry, tear-film assessment, and review of medical history for contraindications (autoimmune disease, uncontrolled diabetes, corneal ectasia). After counseling and informed consent, the patient undergoes S0800 (laser in situ keratomileusis) in an ambulatory surgical center or outpatient ophthalmology clinic equipped with a femtosecond laser and excimer laser. The workflow includes preoperative marking and anesthesia (topical), creation of a corneal flap (femtosecond or microkeratome), excimer laser stromal ablation, flap repositioning, immediate postoperative assessment, and scheduled follow-up visits at day 1, week 1, and month 1 to monitor visual acuity, corneal healing, and to manage complications such as dry eye or flap issues.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier / standard state code | Rarely used as a modifier string; default when no other modifier applies |