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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode IslandMedicare Advantage · Coverage · Physician / Facility · RI · OphthalmologyMedium impact

Therapeutic Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses

Effective date
Apr 1, 2026
Identified
Jun 19, 2026

Summary

BCBSRI is adding two new IOL surgery CPT codes (66989 and 66991) to the list of qualifying procedures for post-cataract eyewear coverage, but only for Medicare Advantage Plans. Post-cataract eyeglasses and contact lenses remain covered when patients have undergone qualifying IOL surgery within the previous 9 months.

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What to do

Action · 2 steps
01Before April 1, 2026: Billing team must update system to recognize CPT codes 66989 and 66991 as qualifying procedures for post-cataract eyewear coverage for Medicare Advantage members only.
02Update documentation requirements to verify qualifying IOL surgery occurred within previous 9 months when billing for therapeutic eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Codes mentioned

669896699166920669306694066982669836698466988

Original notice

Therapeutic Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses
bcbsri.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
View original ↗

Related policy hubs

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island policiesRI policy changesOphthalmologyCode 66989Code 66991Code 66920Code 66930Code 66940Code 66982Code 66983Code 66984Code 66988

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