Permanent J-Code for Epioxa

Glaukos secures permanent J-code from CMS ahead of July rollout

April 22, 2026
2 min

The Ophthalmologist

Objective:

To simplify billing and reimbursement for Epioxa, a corneal cross-linking therapy for keratoconus, while enhancing market access.

Approach:

Key Findings:

The J-code aims to enhance payer acceptance and reimbursement workflows.
Epioxa is indicated for epithelium-on corneal collagen cross-linking in adults and pediatric patients aged 13 and older.
The therapy avoids epithelial removal, reducing pain and recovery time compared to traditional methods.
Common adverse reactions include conjunctival hyperemia, corneal haze, photophobia, punctate keratitis, eye pain, irritation, tearing, and transient reduction in visual acuity.

Interpretation:

The J-code is expected to improve market access and patient care for keratoconus, a condition that is often underdiagnosed and under-treated, potentially leading to better outcomes.

Limitations:

Reimbursement gains depend on individual payer adoption of the new code.
Common adverse reactions include conjunctival hyperemia, corneal haze, and transient visual acuity reduction.