How To Use CPT Code 92283

CPT 92283 describes a specialized ophthalmological service for color vision examination. This article will cover the official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 92283?

CPT 92283 is a code used to describe a specialized ophthalmological service for color vision examination. This examination involves the use of an optical instrument, such as a Nagel anomaloscope, to determine if a patient has color blindness, particularly red-green color blindness. The patient adjusts the instrument to match a predetermined ratio of red to green light, allowing the healthcare provider to assess their color vision capabilities.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 92283 is a color vision examination, extended, using an optical instrument such as an anomaloscope or equivalent. It is important to note that color vision testing with pseudoisochromatic plates, such as Ishihara plates, is not reported separately and is typically included in the appropriate general or ophthalmological service.

3. Procedure

1. After a positive color blindness test using flash cards, such as Ishihara plates, the healthcare provider performs a color vision examination using an optical instrument, such as a Nagel anomaloscope.
2. The patient looks through an eyepiece and sees a circle divided into two halves: the upper half is yellow, and the lower half is a combination of red and green light.
3. The patient adjusts the color in the top half of the circle until it matches the color in the bottom half, allowing the provider to assess their ability to perceive and differentiate between red and green.
4. Some instruments may allow the patient to adjust both halves of the circle until the colors match in hue and intensity.
5. Other advanced color vision tests, such as the anomaloscope plate test (APT-5), may use plates with yellow and red-green light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for color matching.
6. Additional color vision tests, such as the Farnsworth-15 and Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue tests, may use plates, blocks, or pegs that need to be arranged in the correct color order.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 92283 is typically performed when a patient has shown positive results on a color blindness test using flash cards, such as Ishihara plates. The extended color vision examination using an optical instrument is used to further assess the patient’s color vision capabilities, particularly for red-green color blindness. Different types of color blindness, such as cone monochromacy, deuteranomaly, deuteranopia, protanomaly, protanopia, rod monochromacy, tritanomaly, and tritanopia, may be evaluated using this procedure.

5. When to use CPT code 92283

CPT code 92283 should be used when a specialized color vision examination using an optical instrument, such as an anomaloscope, is performed to assess a patient’s color vision capabilities, particularly for red-green color blindness. It is important to note that color vision testing with pseudoisochromatic plates, such as Ishihara plates, should not be reported separately and is typically included in the appropriate general or ophthalmological service.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 92283, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Positive results on a color blindness test using flash cards, such as Ishihara plates
• Use of an optical instrument, such as an anomaloscope, for the extended color vision examination
• Date and duration of the examination
• Details of the color matching process and any additional color vision tests performed
• Results of the examination and any relevant findings
• Signature of the healthcare provider performing the examination

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 92283, it is important to ensure that the extended color vision examination using an optical instrument, such as an anomaloscope, is performed. If only the professional component of the service is being reported, append modifier 26 to the code. If only the technical component is being reported, append modifier TC to the code. However, if the technical component is provided by a hospital, do not append modifier TC as the hospital’s portion is inherently technical. If both the professional and technical components are rendered by the same provider, do not append any modifiers.

8. Historical information

CPT 92283 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A patient who has shown positive results on a color blindness test using Ishihara plates undergoes an extended color vision examination using an anomaloscope to assess their red-green color vision capabilities.
2. A healthcare provider performs a color vision examination using an optical instrument, such as an anomaloscope, for a patient with suspected color vision deficiencies.
3. An extended color vision examination using an anomaloscope is conducted for a patient who needs to meet specific color vision requirements for a job or occupation.
4. A patient with a family history of color blindness undergoes an extended color vision examination using an anomaloscope to assess their risk of inheriting the condition.
5. A healthcare provider performs an extended color vision examination using an anomaloscope as part of a comprehensive eye examination for a patient with visual abnormalities.
6. An extended color vision examination using an anomaloscope is conducted for a patient with a known color vision deficiency to monitor any changes or progression of the condition.
7. A healthcare provider performs a color vision examination using an optical instrument, such as an anomaloscope, to assess the color vision capabilities of a patient with a suspected eye disease or condition.