CommercialCoverageMedium impact
Viscocanalostomy and Canaloplasty
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi·MS · Ophthalmology·Medical Policy
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
BCBS Mississippi has updated their policy for glaucoma surgeries, now considering canaloplasty medically necessary for chronic primary open-angle glaucoma when medical therapy has failed and the patient is not a candidate for other procedures due to high complication risk. Viscocanalostomy remains investigational and not covered.
Action Required
Immediately: Billing team must update prior authorization requirements for canaloplasty procedures to verify patients meet new medical necessity criteria (failed medical therapy AND high risk for other procedures). Update encounter forms to prompt ophthalmologists to document these specific requirements. Claims for viscocanalostomy should be denied as investigational. Add alerts in billing system for angle-closure glaucoma cases as canaloplasty is not covered.