WHAT'S NEW

CMS Ruling
A major revolution is occurring in the field of cataract surgery. In May 2005, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) changed their regulations, allowing patients to pay for an upgrade to a premium intraocualr lens during cataract surgery if they desired.

Premium intraocular lenses specifically refer to lenses which help to resotre the patient's ability to see far and near without the use of reading glasses. Prior to this ruling, Medicare beneficiaries who had cataracts were not allowed to have these lenses during cataract surgery, even if they were willing to pay for the entire surgical procedure out of their own pocket.

Now, if a patient has cataracts and desires to have a premium intraocular lens, Medicare would cover the cataract surgery portion of the procedure, including a standard intraocular lens, and the patient would then be responsible for paying for the upgrade to the premium lens. Other insurance companies should follow these new CMS guidelines soon and it is anticipated that a surge in premium lenses will be used following cataract surgery. For more information, go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/spotlight-technology.asp.