CPT 92019: Limited Eye Examination Under General Anesthesia
CPT code 92019 designates a limited ophthalmologic examination performed while the patient is under general anesthesia, often used for children or patients unable to cooperate with in-office exams. It enables clinicians to assess conditions such as glaucoma, retinal abnormalities, or intraocular tumors when standard awake examination is not feasible. Nationally, use of this code matters for access to diagnostic eye care in pediatric and special-needs populations and for accurate procedural reporting when anesthesia is required.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical intent and typical settings, plus benchmarking and coverage patterns across major payers. The publication summarizes common billing modifiers and related administrative considerations, highlights where policy updates may affect authorization or bundling with anesthesia services, and provides clinical context for appropriate use of a limited exam under anesthesia.
This resource is intended to help coding managers, billing professionals, and clinical leaders understand when CPT code 92019 is reported, the typical sites of service, and the payer landscape affecting claims processing and coverage decisions. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 92019 describes a limited eye examination performed with the patient under general anesthesia. The procedure is used when a patient — commonly a child or an individual unable to cooperate with a standard eye exam — requires assessment of ocular conditions while anesthetized. The provider may perform passive manipulation of the globe to assess range of motion or to facilitate diagnostic visualization.
Service type: Diagnostic eye examination under general anesthesia
Typical site of service: Operating room or other procedural suite where general anesthesia is administered