After cataract surgery, the membrane that holds the new lens can cloud over months or years later. CPT 66821 is the fix: a YAG laser opens a small hole in that membrane in a few minutes, in an office or outpatient setting, with no incision and no sedation. Vision usually clears within a day.
What the price covers
The hospital's price is the facility fee for the laser suite and staff. The ophthalmologist bills separately. There is no anesthesia provider; numbing drops are included.
Why prices vary
For a five-minute laser treatment, hospital facility fees vary widely. Many ophthalmologists perform it in their own office, where the total is often far below the hospital's facility fee. If a hospital's price looks high, it is worth asking the surgeon whether the office is an option.
Questions to ask
- What is the self-pay price for 66821, facility and physician together?
- Can this be done in the surgeon's office instead of the hospital?
- Is a follow-up visit included?