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Question: An ophthalmologist performed a bilateral Humphrey visual field test with the 30-2 pattern. They also performed bilateral optical coherence tomography (OCT) to examine the patient’s optic nerves at the back of the eyes.

Can I report these procedures together?

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Answer: Yes, you can report the Humphrey visual field test and OCT examination together on the same claim.

You’ll assign 92083 (Visual field examination, unilateral or bilateral, with interpretation and report; extended examination (eg, Goldmann visual fields with at least 3 isopters plotted and static determination within the central 30?, or quantitative, automated threshold perimetry, Octopus program G-1, 32 or 42, Humphrey visual field analyzer full threshold programs 30-2, 24-2, or 30/60-2)) to report the Humphrey visual field test. The code descriptor indicates the code may be used for a unilateral (one eye) or bilateral (two eyes) exam, so modifiers like RT (Right side), LT (Left side), or 50 (Bilateral procedures) aren’t necessary for the claim.

Next, you’ll assign 92133 (Computerized ophthalmic diagnostic imaging (eg, optical coherence tomography [OCT]), posterior segment, with interpretation and report, unilateral or bilateral; optic nerve) to report the bilateral OCT examination.

The National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) does not list any conflicts between the codes, which means 92133 isn’t bundled into 92083 and vice versa. Since one code isn’t inherently included in the other, you can safely report both CPT^® codes on the same claim without appending modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service).

Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Development Editor, AAPC