65430 Corneal smear
Also known as: corneal scraping, corneal swab
Scraping of cornea, diagnostic.
In Plain Language
collecting cells from eye surface for testing; swabbing cornea for infection testing
Clinical Context
Diagnostic procedure to obtain samples for bacterial, viral, or fungal culture in suspected corneal infections. Often performed with staining for microscopy.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.43 |
| Total RVU | 1.43 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 1.43, this code ranks in the 8th percentile among Surgery codes — 5.6x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 65430?
CPT 65430 (Corneal smear) is a Surgery code. Scraping of cornea, diagnostic.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 65430?
The work RVU for CPT 65430 is 1.43. This code is primarily used by ophthalmology, microbiology.
When is CPT 65430 used?
Diagnostic procedure to obtain samples for bacterial, viral, or fungal culture in suspected corneal infections. Often performed with staining for microscopy.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.