-The American Medical  Association (AMA) has released a new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code  for the procedure used to implant miniature ophthalmic telescopes (Implantable  Miniature Telescope [by Dr. Isaac Lipshitz], VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies). 

Insertion of ocular  telescope prosthesis including removal of crystalline lens

, became effective  July 1. The ophthalmic telescope implant is indicated to improve vision in  patients who have end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

“The  issuance of a specific CPT code by AMA, along with Medicare’s previous granting  of a pass-through payment mechanism, helps to solidify hospital and provider  reimbursement for the telescope implant procedure,” said Allen W. Hill, chief  executive officer of VisionCare. “These reimbursement milestones support the  telescope implant as a standard of care for patients who cannot be helped by  other AMD therapies and who meet medical eligibility criteria. We look forward  to continuing to work with health-care institutions and providers with this  additional reimbursement coding in place that facilitates treatment provision  to patients whose quality of life can be improved with the telescope implant.”

Providers and patients can find more information  about the telescope implant and related treatment program at 

The American Medical Association (AMA) has released a new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code for the procedure used to implant miniature ophthalmic telescopes (Implantable Miniature Telescope [by Dr. Isaac Lipshitz], VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies).