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American Academy of Ophthalmology Web Site: www.aao.org
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Savvy Coder: Coding & Reimbursement |
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E&M or Eye Codes? How to Choose Which to Use |
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By Sue Vicchrilli, COT, OCS, Academy Coding Executive Ophthalmologists have two types of office visit codes from which to choose: Evaluation & Management codes (99XXX) and Eye Codes (92XXX). For E&M codes, documentation guidelines are standardized and recognized nationally by all payers; for Eye Codes, you must consult your state Medicare Local Carrier Determination (LCD) policy. To read these policies—formerly known as Local Medical Review Policies (LMRPs)—go to www.aao.org/aaoe, select “Coding & Reimbursement” and then “Free Content” for a list of state Medicare carrier Web sites. Making the Choice How do you decide whether to use an E&M code or an Eye Code? First, consider the patient’s insurer: Are you dealing with Medicare, Medicaid or some other federal payer, or an HMO or PPO with its own documentation requirements? Second, consider the documentation in the chart: What level of E&M service does it meet? What level of Eye Code service does it meet? Third, if your documentation meets the requirements for both an Eye Code and its E&M counterpart to the same degree, you can use the one that has the highest allowable. To take advantage of this, make sure you have the fee schedules for at least your top five payers. You should develop your preprinted office visit form to comply with all payer requirements. Note that some payers require use of Eye Codes for refractive exams and E&M codes for medical diagnosis. Also, some payers may down-code from 92004 and 92014 to 92002 and 92012 if your documentation does not include “initiation of diagnostic and treatment program.” Documenting the Eye Exam Most Medicare payers have an LCD policy that will define your documentation requirements. The following documentation requirements are for all Medicare payers that lack an LCD policy, as well as most non-Medicare payers. The intermediate examination Eye Codes (92002 and 92012) require documentation of:
Mydriasis may also be included in the intermediate examination.
Covered Diagnosis Codes
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A comprehensive examination consists of eight or more of the elements listed above and frequently includes a fundus examination often with the pupils dilated. An intermediate examination consists of seven or fewer of the specified elements. Services that require minimal optometric/ophthalmologic examination techniques are included in the E&M codes (99201–99799). Initiation of diagnostic and treatment program includes the prescription of medication, lenses or other therapy or arranging for special ophthalmological, diagnostic or treatment services, consultation, laboratory procedures and radiological services, as may be indicated. Other procedures—which may be included as part of intermediate or comprehensive ophthalmologic services and may be neither reported separately nor billed—are:
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