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January 20, 2021

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Today, it is estimated that more than 3 million Americans age 40 and older have glaucoma, and at least half don't even know they have it.

With January designated as National Glaucoma Awareness Month, we ask you to join CMS and CGS in promoting increased awareness of glaucoma and the glaucoma screening service covered by Medicare. Through early detection and treatment, we can help prevent blindness.

Medicare provides coverage of an annual glaucoma screening for beneficiaries:

Service

Procedure Codes

Additional Information

Glaucoma screening for high risk patients furnished by an optometrist or ophthalmologist

HCPCS code G0117

May be covered for patients who fall into at least 1 of these high-risk categories:

  • Individuals with diabetes mellitus
  • Individuals with a family history of glaucoma
  • African-Americans aged 50 and older
  • Hispanic-Americans aged 65 and older

Refer to the Eligibility section of the myCGS User Manual for help determining when your patients are next eligible to receive these services.

Glaucoma screening for high risk patient furnished under the direct supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist

HCPCS code G0118

What Can You Do?

As a healthcare professional who provides care to seniors and others with Medicare, you can help protect the vision of your patients who may be at high-risk for glaucoma by educating them about their risk factors and reminding them of the importance of getting an annual glaucoma screening exam covered by Medicare.

For More Information:

Thank you for joining CMS and CGS in promoting increased awareness of glaucoma and the glaucoma screening benefit covered by Medicare.

Visit the CMS Preventive Services websiteExternal Website to learn more about these and other Medicare-covered preventive services.

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