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Official Description

Imaging of retina for detection or monitoring of disease; point-of-care autonomous analysis and report, unilateral or bilateral

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 92229 refers to the imaging of the retina specifically designed for the detection or monitoring of retinal diseases. This procedure can be performed on one eye (unilateral) or both eyes (bilateral). The primary purpose of this imaging is to screen for conditions such as retinopathy, particularly in patients who are at risk, including those with diabetes. The process involves capturing retinal images using a computerized retinal imaging system, which is capable of autonomously analyzing the images and generating a report at the point of care. During the procedure, one or both pupils are dilated to enhance the visibility of the retina. The imaging system typically centers on the pupil, illuminates the retina, focuses on the necessary areas, estimates visual acuity, and captures high-quality digital images of the retina. These images can then be transmitted electronically to an eye center for further review or interpretation. Unlike other codes such as 92227 and 92228, where human professionals review the images, the analysis and report generation for code 92229 are conducted automatically by the system at the time of the imaging, streamlining the process and providing immediate results for the healthcare provider.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 92229 is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Retinopathy Screening This imaging is particularly useful for screening patients at risk for retinopathy, such as those with diabetes, to detect early signs of retinal disease.
  • Monitoring Active Retinal Disease The procedure is also indicated for evaluating and monitoring patients with known active retinal diseases, allowing for timely intervention and management.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 92229 involves several key steps that ensure accurate imaging and analysis of the retina:

  • Dilation of Pupils Prior to imaging, one or both pupils are dilated using a mydriatic agent. This dilation is crucial as it allows for a better view of the retina, facilitating the capture of high-quality images.
  • Image Acquisition The provider utilizes a computerized retinal imaging system to obtain digital images of the retina. The system is designed to automatically center on the pupil, illuminate the retina, and focus appropriately to capture clear images. It may also estimate visual acuity during this process.
  • Autonomous Analysis Once the images are captured, the computerized system performs an autonomous analysis of the retinal images. This analysis is conducted at the point of care, meaning that it occurs immediately after the images are taken, without the need for external review.
  • Report Generation After the analysis is complete, the system automatically generates a report detailing the findings from the imaging. This report is available to the healthcare provider at the time of the procedure, allowing for immediate clinical decision-making.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the imaging procedure associated with CPT® Code 92229, patients may experience temporary effects from the dilation of their pupils, such as blurred vision or light sensitivity. It is advisable for patients to have someone accompany them home, especially if they are driving, due to these potential side effects. The generated report can be used by the healthcare provider to discuss findings with the patient and determine any necessary follow-up actions or treatments based on the results of the retinal imaging.

Short Descr IMG RTA DETC/MNTR DS POC ALY
Medium Descr IMG RETINA DETCJ/MNTR DS POC AUTON A/R UNI/BI
Long Descr Imaging of retina for detection or monitoring of disease; point-of-care autonomous analysis and report, unilateral or bilateral
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 3 - Technical Component Only Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 7 - Special payment adjustment rules on the technical component (TC) of multiple diagnostic ophthalmology services apply...
Bilateral Surgery (50) 2 - 150% payment adjustment does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) none
MUE 1
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
25 Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59.
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
Date
Action
Notes
2023-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2021-01-01 Added Code added.
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Description
Code
Description
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