LPP codes in optics: what changes on July 1st
On July 1, 2021, the 209 generic LPP codes still in force will be deactivated and replaced by some 10,000 individual codes allocated to manufacturers of optical products. The Interprofessional Optics Council recently deciphered this reform during a webinar. Focus on its key points.
Manufacturer codes have been gradually allocated since 2020 by the Ministry of Health to manufacturers. The products concerned are all class A and B lenses and frames (including custom-made models), as well as visual aids (for contact lenses, reimbursable or not, and sunglasses, the generic codes remain in force) . It takes 1 to 4 codes for an eyewear maker and around 180 codes for a glassmaker. They are automatically transmitted to the Cnam by point-of-sale software and will be the only ones admitted from July 1: on this date, if the generic code is transmitted, reimbursement by Health Insurance will be impossible. Since the summer of 2019, suppliers have requested their codes from the Ministry of Health and communicated them to their optician customers and/or software publishers via the OPTOLPP standard or any other means, for example on BLs, for manual entry. "The software must be compatible and the catalogs up to date, so it is important that opticians contact their publisher to take stock as of now", explains the Interprofessional Council for Optics.
Where to mention the individual codes?
Only grouping codes should appear on the quote. After signing this quote and delivering the equipment to the customer, the individual manufacturer codes must be mentioned on the care sheet or the ESF sent to the Cnam, the sole recipient of this data. The customer invoice must only contain the grouping codes.
Who must have individual LPP codes? How to get them?
The individual LPP codes are assigned to the operator of the product. This is its manufacturer or its agent or, failing that, the distributors who obtain their supplies directly from the manufacturer or its agent or, failing that, any distributor operating on the French market, provided that for each product marketed, this distributor does not supply itself from an operator of this product, directly or indirectly, nor does it supply any other operator, directly or indirectly. If you create frames and market products in your own name, you must have an individual LPP code for reimbursement. Applications are made online.
For lenses: www.demarchessimplifiees.fr/commencer/ref-lg-optical
For frames and visual aids: www.demarchessimplifiees.fr/commencer/codage-lpp
What if the manufacturer no longer exists?
Class A/B and child/adult codes are available for all stock frames whose manufacturer no longer exists and therefore does not have individual codes. “This code is derogatory, will be temporary and should not be misused”, warn the professional organizations.