CPT code 66988: Cataract surgery, with ECP, noncomplex2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Florida
Noncomplex extracapsular cataract removal with same-session intraocular lens implantation and endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation for a patient undergoing combined cataract and glaucoma surgery.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 66988 in Florida.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
What 66988 covers
The surgeon removes the cataractous natural lens, implants an intraocular lens during the same operation, and performs endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) to treat glaucoma. ECP uses an endoscope to visualize the ciliary processes while laser energy is applied. This is the noncomplex cataract-surgery pathway. Ophthalmologists typically perform the combined procedure in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient operating room.
Medicare assigns this CPT code status C: CMS publishes no national payment, and the Medicare Administrative Contractor sets payment for each claim. The procedure has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction. Modifier 50 applies to bilateral procedures. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity; co-surgeon and team-surgery payment require supporting documentation.
This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.
Where 66988 pays more and less in Florida
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Miami, FL | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Rest of Florida | Unavailable | Unavailable |
How the 66988 rate is calculated
Each of 66988’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.
How the rate is built · 66988
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.00
0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.00
0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.00
0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.0000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$0.00
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 66988
66988 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 66988
Cataract surgery, with ECP, noncomplex
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| Team surgery (66) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.70/0.20 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 66988
Cataract surgery, with ECP, noncomplex
90-day global period ends
Dec 30, 2026
Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
66988 without 50 · national facility
$0.00
Cataract surgery, with ECP, noncomplex
66988-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$0.00
Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).
66988 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 66987Cataract surgeryComplex, with ECP
- Both include IOL implantation and ECP. Choose 66987 when the cataract procedure is classified as complex; 66988 is the noncomplex pathway.
- 66984Cataract surgeryStandard, without ECP or drainage device
- This code covers cataract removal with IOL implantation without ECP. 66988 applies when ECP is performed as part of the same operation.
- 66982Cataract surgeryComplex, without ECP
- This code is for complex cataract removal with IOL implantation without ECP. 66988 includes ECP and is for a noncomplex procedure.
66988 billing questions
When should 66988 be selected instead of 66987?
Use 66988 for the noncomplex cataract procedure with same-session IOL implantation and ECP. Code 66987 is the corresponding complex cataract procedure with ECP.
How does 66988 differ from 66984?
Both describe extracapsular cataract removal with IOL implantation, but 66988 also includes ECP. Use 66984 when ECP is not part of the cataract procedure.
Is ECP separately reported with 66988?
The combined procedure includes ECP. Do not report a separate line for the same ECP work.
How should bilateral surgery be reported?
Medicare's bilateral rule uses modifier 50 for bilateral procedures.
What global period applies to 66988?
The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
How does Medicare set payment for this code?
Status C means CMS publishes no national payment. The Medicare Administrative Contractor sets payment for each claim.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.
CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027
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