Question: When the established patient returns for a visual field test in both eyes (OU), the physician’s documented order indicates the technician should also perform tonometry. Can we bill both CPT code 99211 and 92083 if performed by the technician?

Answer: The tech code and ophthalmic testing services are no longer bundled. Use caution when billing both in the same session as this has been on the OIG investigation list. 

In order to separately bill 99211, there must be a documented order from the physician indicating what elements of the exam are medically necessary to perform, in addition to the testing order. Neither can be standing orders. A physician of the practice must be on site because you are billing an exam under a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the supervision may be virtual. Be sure the chart is signed by the physician.

Learn more about testing services in the Learn to Code the Essentials.