Billing code 65222: Corneal removalMedicare rate & RVUs in Georgia
Reports removal of a foreign object embedded in the cornea when the clinician uses a slit lamp to visualize and guide the procedure.
Medicare pays $62.95–$67.76 for 65222 in the office in Georgia, from Rest Of Georgia to Atlanta. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 9 sections
What 65222 covers
This service removes a foreign object lodged in the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, using slit-lamp visualization. A common situation is a small metal fragment after grinding or machining; glass and other debris may also lodge in the cornea. An ophthalmologist or optometrist typically performs the procedure in an office or other setting where slit-lamp examination is available.
Select this code when the documented site is the cornea and slit-lamp use is part of the removal; corneal removal without a slit lamp is reported differently. The record should identify the affected eye, corneal location, foreign body, and use of the slit lamp. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. For bilateral treatment, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is statutorily restricted; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
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 65222 pays more and less in Georgia
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $67.76 | $42.31 |
| Rest Of Georgia | $62.95 | $40.60 |
How the 65222 rate is calculated
Each of 65222’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 · 65222
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.82
0.82 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.14
1.14 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.04
0.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.0000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$66.80
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 65222
The CMS indicators that decide how 65222 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 65222
Corneal removal
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is 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) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
65222 without 50 · national office
$66.80
Corneal removal
65222-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$100.20
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).
65222 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 65220Corneal removal
- Both codes concern corneal foreign body removal. 65222 includes slit-lamp use; 65220 is for removal without a slit lamp.
- 65205Eye foreign body removal
- Use 65205 for a superficial foreign body on the conjunctiva, not one lodged in the cornea.
- 65210Eye foreign body removal
- 65210 concerns a foreign body embedded in the conjunctiva; 65222 concerns one lodged in the cornea.
- 65235Intraocular removal
- 65235 is for an intraocular foreign body in the anterior segment, rather than an object lodged in the cornea.
65222 billing questions
How does 65222 differ from 65220?
Both describe removal of a corneal foreign body. Use 65222 when a slit lamp is used for the removal; 65220 describes corneal removal without a slit lamp.
Does the foreign body's location determine code selection?
Yes. This code is for a foreign body lodged in the cornea. A foreign body on or embedded in the conjunctiva is represented by a different code.
What documentation supports 65222?
Document the affected eye, the corneal location, the foreign body removed, and use of the slit lamp during the procedure.
How is bilateral treatment reported?
CMS identifies this as a bilateral procedure; modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Document treatment of both eyes.
Are same-day preoperative and postoperative services included?
Yes. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
Assistant-at-surgery payment is subject to a statutory restriction. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
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
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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