Billing code 65870: SynechiolysisMedicare rate & RVUs in Nevada
Report 65870 when an ophthalmologist uses an incisional approach to release extensive adhesions in the eye’s anterior segment, such as iris synechiae.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 65870 in Nevada.
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 65870 covers
An ophthalmologist performs this procedure to cut and release extensive adhesions within the anterior segment, commonly involving the iris and adjacent structures. Synechiae may follow inflammation, trauma, or prior eye surgery and can interfere with the pupil, aqueous flow, or other anterior-segment function. The surgeon works inside the eye with an incisional technique, typically in an operating-room setting.
Choose this code when the adhesions and work are extensive, rather than the simple incisional service represented by 65865. Document the affected eye, the location and extent of adhesions, and the incisional work used to release them. This major surgery has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during that period. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures at 50%. With modifier 50, bilateral payment is 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is statutorily restricted; co-surgeons are paid only with supporting documentation, and team surgery is 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.
65870 in Nevada**
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada** | Unavailable | $510.11 |
How the 65870 rate is calculated
Each of 65870’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 · 65870
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 7.21Practice expense 7.58Malpractice 0.57
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 65870
65870 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 65870
Synechiolysis
| 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) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| 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 · 65870
Synechiolysis
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
65870 without 50 · national facility
$513.04
Synechiolysis
65870-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$769.56
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).
65870 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
65870 vs 65865 vs 65875 vs 65860: national Medicare rates
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How to choose
- 65865Eye adhesion lysis
- Use 65865 for simple incisional synechiolysis. Use 65870 when the adhesions and release work are extensive.
- 65875Eye adhesiolysis
- Use 65875 when incisional synechiolysis is performed with concomitant intraocular surgery; 65870 identifies extensive incisional adhesiolysis.
- 65860Laser adhesion release
- 65860 represents laser severing of anterior-segment adhesions. 65870 represents extensive release using an incisional approach.
65870 billing questions
How does 65870 differ from 65865?
Both describe incisional release of anterior-segment adhesions. Use 65870 for extensive adhesions and 65865 for simple adhesions; document the extent and work supporting the level selected.
When would 65875 be considered instead?
65875 is the related incisional service when synechiolysis is performed with concomitant intraocular surgery. Use 65870 for extensive incisional synechiolysis without that distinguishing circumstance.
Can laser treatment be reported with 65870?
65870 describes an incisional approach. Code 65860 is the laser alternative for severing anterior-segment adhesions, so select the code that matches the technique performed.
What documentation supports 65870?
Record the eye treated, where the adhesions are located, their extent, and the incisional steps used to release them. The record should support why the work was extensive rather than simple.
How is bilateral 65870 paid?
CMS pays a bilateral procedure reported with modifier 50 at 150%. The code also follows the stated multiple-procedure reduction when other procedures are performed in the same session.
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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