2021 ICD-10-CM Code H26.2
Complicated cataract
Not Valid for Submission
H26.2 is a "header" nonspecific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of complicated cataract. The code is NOT valid for the year 2021 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Complicated cataract
Header codes like H26.2 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10 codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for complicated cataract:
- H26.20 - Unspecified complicated cataract
- H26.21 - Cataract with neovascularization
- H26.211 - Cataract with neovascularization, right eye
- H26.212 - Cataract with neovascularization, left eye
- H26.213 - Cataract with neovascularization, bilateral
- H26.219 - Cataract with neovascularization, unspecified eye
- H26.22 - Cataract secondary to ocular disorders (degenerative) (inflammatory)
- H26.221 - Cataract secondary to ocular disorders (degenerative) (inflammatory), right eye
- H26.222 - Cataract secondary to ocular disorders (degenerative) (inflammatory), left eye
- H26.223 - Cataract secondary to ocular disorders (degenerative) (inflammatory), bilateral
- H26.229 - Cataract secondary to ocular disorders (degenerative) (inflammatory), unspecified eye
- H26.23 - Glaucomatous flecks (subcapsular)
- H26.231 - Glaucomatous flecks (subcapsular), right eye
- H26.232 - Glaucomatous flecks (subcapsular), left eye
- H26.233 - Glaucomatous flecks (subcapsular), bilateral
- H26.239 - Glaucomatous flecks (subcapsular), unspecified eye
Information for Patients
Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye. It affects your vision. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.
A cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other. Common symptoms are
- Blurry vision
- Colors that seem faded
- Glare - headlights, lamps or sunlight may seem too bright. You may also see a halo around lights.
- Not being able to see well at night
- Double vision
- Frequent prescription changes in your eye wear
Cataracts usually develop slowly. New glasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses can help at first. Surgery is also an option. It involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block ultraviolet sunlight may help to delay cataracts.
NIH: National Eye Institute
- Cataract (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Cataract removal (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Slit-lamp exam (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Standard ophthalmic exam (Medical Encyclopedia)
[Learn More]
Code History
- FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
- FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
- FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
- FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
- FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
- FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016 (First year ICD-10-CM implemented into the HIPAA code set)