Aqueous Drainage Devices (Stents and Shunts) for Glaucoma 9.01.18
Effective date
Jan 22, 2026
Identified
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield policy 9.01.18 considers FDA-approved aqueous drainage devices medically appropriate for glaucoma when medical therapy has failed to adequately control intraocular pressure or when oral or topical medications are not tolerated. It considers implanting one or two FDA-approved micro-stents, such as iStent or iStent Inject, with cataract surgery medically appropriate for mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma treated with ocular hypotensive medication. Suprachoroidal or supraciliary placement, and all other uses, are considered investigational. The January 22, 2026 annual review changed the policy title and left the policy intent unchanged.
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01Already effective January 22, 2026: Billing team should confirm that each aqueous drainage device claim meets one of the listed indications, either failed medical therapy with intraocular pressure not adequately controlled or medications not tolerated, such as oral medications causing significant gastrointestinal effects or topical medications causing contact sensitivity or systemic effects.
02For micro-stents placed with cataract surgery, confirm the diagnosis is mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma and that the patient is currently treated with ocular hypotensive medication.
03Use of aqueous drainage devices for glaucoma when intraocular pressure is adequately controlled by medications is considered investigational under this policy.
Codes mentioned
66179661806618366184661856698966991C1783L8612
Original notice
Aqueous Drainage Devices (Stents and Shunts) for Glaucoma 9.01.18
excellusbcbs.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
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