65800 Drainage of eye
Also known as: anterior chamber paracentesis, aqueous tap
Paracentesis of anterior chamber of eye; with removal of aqueous.
In Plain Language
needle drainage of fluid from front of eye; removing fluid from anterior chamber
Clinical Context
Diagnostic or therapeutic paracentesis to lower intraocular pressure or obtain fluid for analysis. Rarely used diagnostically in modern era.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.49 |
| Total RVU | 1.49 |
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 1.49, this code ranks in the 9th percentile among Surgery codes — 5.4x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 65800?
CPT 65800 (Drainage of eye) is a Surgery code. Paracentesis of anterior chamber of eye; with removal of aqueous.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 65800?
The work RVU for CPT 65800 is 1.49. This code is primarily used by glaucoma surgery, emergency ophthalmology.
When is CPT 65800 used?
Diagnostic or therapeutic paracentesis to lower intraocular pressure or obtain fluid for analysis. Rarely used diagnostically in modern era.
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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.