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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther Specialized Ophthalmological Services and ProceduresCPT cpt-92285-ocular-photography-documentation
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    CPT 92285: Photography of Abnormalities for Documentation

    Medicare pays $17 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 92285 describes clinical photography of ocular or periocular abnormalities using any described imaging method for documentation and later comparison, typically provided as a diagnostic documentation service in outpatient ophthalmology or optometry settings and performed in clinic-based procedure or ancillary imaging areas.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Corneal Remodeling for Refractive Errors and Corneal Grafting and Transplantation, Glaucoma Agents iDose TR (travoprost intracameral implant), Topical Treatments for Dry Eye Disease.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A middle-aged patient presents to an ophthalmology clinic with a new pigmented lesion on the conjunctiva noted by the referring primary care provider. The ophthalmologist performs a focused external eye examination and documents the lesion with medical photography using slit-lamp mounted digital imaging for baseline comparison and to track evolution over time. Images are captured for documentation of size, color, and associated vascular changes. The photographs are stored in the electronic medical record and referenced at follow-up visits or if the patient is referred for biopsy or excision. Typical workflow includes consenting the patient for clinical photography, positioning at the slit lamp or external camera, capturing multiple views, labeling images with date and anatomic site, and attaching them to the visit note for future comparison and surgical planning. This service is used for abnormalities of the eyelid, conjunctiva, cornea, and external adnexa when objective image documentation is needed for monitoring or preoperative planning.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    92250Fundus photography with interpretation and reportPerformed when internal retinal imaging is required in addition to external ophthalmic photography; may be performed in the same visit if posterior segment documentation is needed.
    92002Ophthalmological services: medical examination and evaluation, new patient, intermediate, with initiation of diagnostic and treatment programs (no refraction)An E/M level service that may occur on the same day as photography for assessment, documentation, and decision-making; append 25 when billed with photography if separately identifiable.
    99213Office or other outpatient visit, established patient, low to moderate complexityCommon established patient E/M code used with clinical photography visits; use 25 modifier if billed the same day as photography when documentation supports a separate E/M.
    67028Intravitreal injection of a pharmacologic agent (separate procedure)Not directly related but may be part of the clinic workflow for retinal disease where external images and documentation are used adjunctively.
    65778Biopsy of eyelid lesion; excision of lesionSurgical code that may follow clinical photography for preoperative documentation and comparison of lesion appearance.
    A9552Photography, diagnostic (e.g., for dermatology) (Note: example HCPCS)Used in some settings for non-ophthalmic clinical photography when CPT 92285 is not applicable; listed for workflow context.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207LP4000X
    246QM0706X
    173F00000X
    1835G0303X
    2080P0214X
    251C00000X
    103TH0100X
    207SG0205X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    16 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    H01.9Unspecified inflammation of eyelid
    H02.843Edema of right eye, unspecified eyelid
    H02.9Unspecified disorder of eyelid
    H10.9Unspecified conjunctivitis
    H11.30Conjunctival hemorrhage, unspecified eye
    H16.9Unspecified keratitis
    H18.10Bullous keratopathy, unspecified eye
    H25.9Unspecified age-related cataract
    H35.023Exudative retinopathy, bilateral
    H35.029Exudative retinopathy, unspecified eye

    Showing 1–10 of 16

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Ophthalmology/Optometry1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Corneal Remodeling for Refractive Errors and Corneal Grafting and TransplantationHealth-New-England2027-02-01
    Glaucoma Agents iDose TR (travoprost intracameral implant)Mass General Brigham Health Plan2027-01-04
    Topical Treatments for Dry Eye Diseaseblue cross blue shield - louisiana2027-01-01
    Corneal Collagen Cross-LinkingMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-11-01
    Intraocular Lens ImplantCigna2026-11-01
    VizzCigna2026-11-01
    Travoprost Intracameral ImplantBluecross Idaho2026-11-01
    Ophthalmology - Pilocarpine 1.25%Cigna2026-10-15
    Intravitreal and PunctumBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-10-01
    Cataract Removal Surgery for AdultsAnthem2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-92265-EXTRAOCULAR-MUSCLE-ELECTROMYOGRAPHY

    CPT 92265: Electromyography of Extraocular Muscles

    CPT-92270-ELECTRO-OCULOGRAPHY-INTERPRETATION-REPORT

    CPT 92270: Electro-oculography with Interpretation and Report

    CPT-92273-ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIC-TEST-RETINAL-FUNCTION-ERG

    CPT 92273: Electrophysiologic Test of Retinal Function

    CPT-92274-MULTIFOCAL-ELECTRORETINOGRAPHY-MFERG-RETINAL-FUNCTION

    CPT 92274: Multifocal Electroretinography (mfERG) for Retinal Function

    CPT-92283-ANOMALOSCOPE-COLOR-VISION-TESTING-RED-GREEN

    CPT 92283: Color Vision Testing with Anomaloscope

    CPT-92284-RETINAL-PHOTORECEPTOR-FUNCTION-TESTING-DARK-ADAPTATION

    CPT 92284: Dark Adaptation Test of Retinal Photoreceptor Function

    CPT-92286-ANTERIOR-SEGMENT-OCULAR-VASCULAR-EXAMINATION-INTERPRETATION

    CPT 92286: Fluorescein Angiography, Anterior Segment

    CPT-92287-IRIS-VASCULAR-IMAGING-NEOVASCULARIZATION-EVALUATION

    CPT 92287: Iris Vasculature Angiography

    CPT-92288-ROD-FUNCTION-DARK-ADAPTATION-SCREENING

    CPT 92288: Dark Adaptation Screening for Rod Function

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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