© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Instrument-based ocular screening, as described by CPT® Code 99177, refers to a comprehensive evaluation of the eyes using specialized equipment to detect potential vision problems in both eyes. This procedure includes methods such as photoscreening and automated refraction, which are essential for identifying amblyogenic factors—conditions that can lead to reduced visual acuity. Common issues screened for include esotropia (inward turning of the eye), exotropia (outward turning of the eye), anisometropia (unequal refractive power between the eyes), cataracts (clouding of the lens), ptosis (drooping of the eyelid), hyperopia (farsightedness), and myopia (nearsightedness). During the ocular photoscreening process, a specialized camera captures and records the reflexes of the eyes in response to visual stimuli. The setup involves positioning the patient appropriately to ensure optimal image acquisition. Depending on the technology employed, the images may be analyzed on-site by the physician or sent to a remote screening laboratory for interpretation. In the case of automated refraction, an automated system is utilized to obtain precise measurements of the eye's refractive error, which are then compared with subjective refraction results obtained through patient feedback. This dual approach ensures that the final prescription for corrective lenses is tailored to the patient's needs, enhancing the accuracy of vision correction.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 99177 is indicated for the following conditions and symptoms:
The procedure for instrument-based ocular screening using CPT® Code 99177 involves several key steps:
After the completion of the ocular screening procedure, the physician will review the findings and discuss them with the patient or guardians. Depending on the results, further evaluation or treatment may be recommended. If any amblyogenic factors are identified, appropriate referrals to specialists or follow-up appointments may be necessary to address the identified issues. It is important for the patient to have regular eye examinations to monitor their visual health, especially in the case of young children, as early detection and intervention can significantly improve outcomes.
| Short Descr | OCULAR INSTRUMNT SCREEN BIL | Medium Descr | INSTRUMENT BASED OCULAR SCR BI W/ONSITE ANALYSIS | Long Descr | Instrument-based ocular screening (eg, photoscreening, automated-refraction), bilateral; with on-site analysis | Status Code | Non-Covered Service | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 9 - Not Applicable | Multiple Procedures (51) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Co-Surgeons (62) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Team Surgery (66) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Non-Covered Service, not paid under OPPS | Type of Service (TOS) | 1 - Medical Care | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | M5C - Specialist - ophthalmology | 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. | 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 | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2016-01-01 | Added | Added |
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