Pediatric Coding Alert

Question: Is 99177 valid for 2016? What’s the difference between this code and 99174?

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Answer: Both of these codes are valid this year, and the main difference is that 99174 (Instrument-based ocular screening (eg, photoscreening, automated-refraction), bilateral; with remote analysis and report) involves a remote analysis and report while 99177 (…with on-site analysis) requires no remote analysis.

“The services included in code 99174 require that the ocular screening images captured in the office are secured and transmitted to a remote facility via electronic transfer for analysis, as well as the remote compilation of a report and findings,” the AMA says in the March 2016 CPT® Assistant. “In contrast, the services included in code 99177 do not require the electronic transfer of data.”

However, neither of these codes will be typically reported by pediatric practices, since most pediatricians don’t perform photoscreening or refraction. Instead, your visual screenings will usually fall under code 99173 (Screening test of visual acuity, quantitative, bilateral).