65815 Drainage of eye
Also known as: hyphema evacuation, anterior chamber washout
Paracentesis of anterior chamber of eye; with removal of blood.
In Plain Language
draining blood from front of eye; removing blood from anterior chamber
Clinical Context
Evacuation of significant hyphema (blood in anterior chamber) to prevent secondary glaucoma and restore visual axis. Often done post-traumatic or post-operative.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 5.85 |
| Total RVU | 5.85 |
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 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 5.85, this code ranks in the 39th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.4x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 65815?
CPT 65815 (Drainage of eye) is a Surgery code. Paracentesis of anterior chamber of eye; with removal of blood.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 65815?
The work RVU for CPT 65815 is 5.85. This code is primarily used by trauma surgery, glaucoma. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 65815 used?
Evacuation of significant hyphema (blood in anterior chamber) to prevent secondary glaucoma and restore visual axis. Often done post-traumatic or post-operative.
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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.