130 CMR, § 402.426

Current through Register 1533, October 25, 2024
Section 402.426 - Service Limitations: Eye Examinations
(A)
(1) The MassHealth agency does not pay for a comprehensive eye examination in an optometrist's office or a visual analysis in a home or nursing facility if a comprehensive eye examination or a visual analysis has been furnished:
(a) within the preceding 12 months, for a member younger than 21 years old; or
(b) within the preceding 24 months, for a member 21 years of age or older.
(2) These restrictions do not apply if there is a referral from the member's physician or if one of the following complaints or conditions is documented in the member's record:
(a) blurred vision;
(b) evidence of headaches;
(c) systemic diseases such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or HIV;
(d) cataracts;
(e) eye pain;
(f) eye redness;
(g) eye infection;
(h) double vision; or
(i) members receiving long-term therapeutic drugs which may cause ocular side effects.
(B) The MassHealth agency pays for a consultation service only if it is provided independently of a comprehensive eye examination.
(C) The MassHealth agency does not pay for more than two screening services per 12-month period.
(D) A comprehensive eye examination includes a screening service. The provider cannot bill separately for both a screening service and a comprehensive eye examination for the same member. The MassHealth agency pays for only the comprehensive eye exam.
(E) The MassHealth agency does not pay for a tonometry as a separate service when it is performed as part of a comprehensive eye examination, a consultation, or a screening service. When a tonometry is performed as a separate service to monitor a member who has glaucoma, the provider must use the appropriate service code (See Subchapter 6 of the Vision Care Manual).

130 CMR, § 402.426

Amended by Mass Register Issue 1362, eff. 4/6/2018.
Amended by Mass Register Issue 1514, eff. 2/2/2024.