Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual (Pub. 100-03), Ch. 1 § 80.7.1
Keratoplasty
80.7.1 - Keratoplasty
(Rev. 1, 10-03-03)
Keratoplasty that treats specific lesions of the cornea, such as phototherapeutic
keratectomy that removes scar tissue from the visual field, deals with an abnormality of
the eye and is not cosmetic surgery. Such cases may be covered under §1862(a)(1)(A) of
the Act.
The use of lasers to treat ophthalmic disease constitutes opthalmalogic surgery.
Coverage is restricted to practitioners who have completed an approved training program
in ophthalmologic surgery.