Edited by Chuck Brownlow, O.D., AOA CodingToday and Medical Records consultant
Evaluation and Management (E&M) codes (99201-99215) were introduced for billing office visits in 1992. They are currently used by most health care providers for reporting medical visits. The General Ophthalmological Services (92002, 92012, 92004, 92014) continue to be the codes most commonly used by optometrists and ophthalmologists for reporting eye and vision examinations, in spite of predictions that the E&M codes would replace them.
Many eye doctors favor the E&M codes for reporting medical eye care visits, although the ophthalmological service codes continue to play a major role in reporting eye care visits with and without a medical reason, complaint or presenting problem. It is important to remember that since 1992 the determination of refractive state has not been considered a part of an office visit under either code series. It is a separate service. Refraction has its own code, 92015, and should be reported in addition to the office visit each time it is done. Read the rest of this entry ?
