CMS decision allows beneficiary access to toric IOL

Baltimore-Medicare beneficiaries undergoing cataract surgery now have the option of choosing a toric IOL instead of a conventional lens following a ruling by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Those beneficiaries opting to receive the astigmatism-correcting implant will be responsible for paying the difference between the cost of that IOL and Medicare’s reimbursement as well as the additional cost associated with insertion of the toric lens.

The ruling took effect Jan. 22 and is available at

www.cms.hhs.gov/rulings/downloads/CMS1536R.pdf.

CMS will provide additional guidance, including a list of the specific IOLs affected, to Medicare contractors.