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    OpenPayerBilling CodesProcedures / Professional ServicesHCPCS hcpcs-g9974-dilated-macular-exam-macular-degeneration-severity
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    HCPCS G9974: Dilated Macular Exam for Macular Degeneration Severity

    HCPCS Level II code G9974 represents a dilated macular exam documenting the presence or absence of macular thickening, geographic atrophy, or hemorrhage and recording the level of macular degeneration severity; this service is an ophthalmic diagnostic evaluation performed with dilation and retinal assessment, typically delivered in an outpatient ophthalmology or retina clinic setting.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an older adult with known or suspected age-related macular degeneration (AMD) presenting to an ophthalmology clinic or ambulatory surgical center for a comprehensive dilated macular exam. The patient history often includes progressive central vision loss, metamorphopsia, difficulty reading, or new onset blurred central vision. The clinical workflow begins with visual acuity and Amsler grid testing, followed by dilation with mydriatic drops. The ophthalmologist or retina specialist performs slit-lamp biomicroscopy with a posterior pole lens and indirect ophthalmoscopy to evaluate the macula for thickening, geographic atrophy, hemorrhage, drusen, pigmentary changes, and to assign a level of macular degeneration severity. Ancillary testing such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus photography may be ordered; findings from OCT often guide documentation of macular thickening or subretinal/intraretinal fluid. The provider documents the presence or absence of macular thickening, geographic atrophy, or hemorrhage and records the AMD severity level in the medical record. The service is typically billed when a dilated macular examination and macular severity documentation are completed during an office visit or retinal evaluation.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    92014Ophthalmological services: medical examination and evaluation with initiation or continuation of diagnostic and treatment program; established patient, with dilation and complete evaluation of the macula and posterior segmentCommonly billed for the comprehensive dilated eye exam during which the macular evaluation documented by G9974 is performed.
    92134Scanning computerized ophthalmic diagnostic imaging, posterior segment, macular thickness and volume, with interpretation and report (OCT)Often performed alongside the dilated macular exam to document macular thickening and guide severity assessment.
    92250Fundus photography with interpretation and reportPerformed to document macular appearance, drusen, hemorrhage, or geographic atrophy as part of the clinical record.
    92285External ocular photography with interpretation and report, extendedUsed when wide-field or specialized retinal photography supplements the dilated macular exam documentation.
    67028Intravitreal injection of a pharmacologic agent (separate procedure)May follow the macular exam when neovascular AMD with hemorrhage or exudation is identified and treatment with intravitreal therapy is indicated.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    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…
    54Modifier ‑54 (“Surgical care only”) is appended to a CPT surgical procedure when the reporting surgeon performs the intraoperative (surgical) component but does not furnish the preoperative and/or…- Use modifier -54 when the reporting surgeon provided only the intraoperative (surgical) component of a procedure and preoperative and/or postoperative management has been or will be provided by…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    56Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207W00000XOphthalmology PhysicianAn ophthalmologist has the knowledge and professional skills needed to provide comprehensive eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists are medically train…
    207RH0000XHematology (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist with additional training who specializes in diseases of the blood, spleen and lymph. This specialist treats conditions such as anemia, cl…
    363L00000XNurse Practitioner(1) A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision mak…
    261QS0112XOral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic/CenterThe specialty of dentistry which includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functi…
    207XS0106XOrthopaedic Hand Surgery PhysicianAn orthopaedic surgeon trained in the investigation, preservation and restoration by medical, surgical and rehabilitative means of all structures of t…
    177F00000XLodging ProviderA public or privately owned facility providing overnight lodging to individuals traveling long distances or receiving prolonged outpatient medical ser…
    261QE0002XEmergency Care Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    251C00000XDevelopmentally Disabled Services Day Training AgencyThese agencies are authorized to provide day habilitation services to developmentally disabled individuals who live in their homes. The function of d…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    15 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E11.39Type 2 diabetes mellitus with other diabetic ophthalmic complication
    H35.30Unspecified macular degeneration
    H35.33Angioid streaks of macula
    H35.351Cystoid macular degeneration, right eye
    H35.352Cystoid macular degeneration, left eye
    H35.353Cystoid macular degeneration, bilateral
    H35.373Puckering of macula, bilateral
    H40.213Acute angle-closure glaucoma, bilateral
    H44.9Unspecified disorder of globe
    H52.4Presbyopia

    Showing 1–10 of 15

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-G9490-HOME-ASSESSMENT-NON-HOMEBOUND

    HCPCS G9490: Home Visit Patient Assessment for Non-Homebound Beneficiary

    HCPCS-G0008-INFLUENZA-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS G0008: Administration of Influenza Virus Vaccine

    HCPCS-G0009-PNEUMOCOCCAL-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS G0009: Administration of Pneumococcal Vaccine

    HCPCS-G0010-HEPATITIS-B-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS G0010: Administration of Hepatitis B Vaccine

    HCPCS-G0011-PREP-COUNSELING-HIV-RISK-REDUCTION-ADHERENCE

    HCPCS G0011: Individual PrEP Counseling, HIV Risk Assessment

    HCPCS-G0012-PRE-EXPOSURE-PROPHYLAXIS-INJECTION-HIV-PREVENTION

    HCPCS G0012: Injection of PrEP Drug for HIV Prevention

    HCPCS-G0013-PREP-INDIVIDUAL-COUNSELING-HIV-RISK-REDUCTION

    HCPCS G0013: Individual PrEP Counseling by Clinical Staff

    HCPCS-G0017-PSYCHOTHERAPY-CRISIS-FIRST-60-MINUTES-NON-OFFICE

    HCPCS G0017: Psychotherapy for Crisis, First 60 Minutes

    HCPCS-G0018-PSYCHOTHERAPY-CRISIS-ADDITIONAL-30-MINUTES-NON-OFFICE

    HCPCS G0018: Psychotherapy for Crisis, Additional 30 Minutes

    HCPCS-G0019-COMMUNITY-HEALTH-INTEGRATION-SDOH-CARE-COORDINATION

    HCPCS G0019: Community Health Integration, Person-Centered Assessment

    Showing 1–10 of 1996

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    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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