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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesTemporary National Codes (Non-Medicare)HCPCS hcpcs-s0621-routine-ophthalmological-exam-established-patient-refraction
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    HCPCS S0621: Routine Ophthalmological Examination with Refraction

    HCPCS Level II code S0621 describes a routine ophthalmological examination including refraction for an established patient, representing an office-based eye exam service that assesses vision, performs refraction testing, and evaluates ocular health; service type: routine ophthalmological examination with refraction; typical site of service: ophthalmology or optometry office/clinic.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Fixed Wing Air Ambulance Transport, Air Ambulance, Ambulance Services (for New Mexico Only).

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    An established adult patient returns to an ophthalmology clinic for a routine ophthalmological examination including refraction billed with S0621. The patient presents for scheduled follow-up to update eyeglass prescription and assess stable chronic ocular conditions such as presbyopia and mild refractive error. The clinic workflow includes registration and verification of insurance, a brief targeted history and review of systems focused on vision changes, measurement of visual acuity, an automated or manual refraction to determine manifest refraction, slit-lamp anterior segment exam, intraocular pressure check, and documentation of findings and any change in prescription. If indicated by history or exam (for example, new visual complaints, trauma, or signs of disease progression), additional diagnostic testing or medical decision-making is documented and may alter coding or add modifiers. Typical sites of service are outpatient ophthalmology or optometry offices and ambulatory surgical centers when bundled into pre- or post-operative visits. The typical patient scenario includes an established patient with stable refractive concerns requesting updated eyeglasses or contact lens prescription, or routine follow-up for known refractive or mild ocular disease where refraction is performed as part of the visit.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    92012Ophthalmological services: intermediate, established patient; with refractionCommon alternative CPT when reporting an intermediate established patient exam that includes refraction in non-HCPCS settings
    92014Ophthalmological services: comprehensive, established patient; with refractionUsed for comprehensive established patient evaluations that include refraction when greater scope of exam is documented
    92002Ophthalmological services: intermediate, new patient; without refractionRelated when a new patient examination precedes a routine refraction visit in clinical workflow
    99173Screening test of visual acuity, quantitative, bilateralPerformed as a screening tool prior to a comprehensive exam with refraction
    92083Visual field examination, unilateral or bilateral, extended examinationPerformed adjunctively when visual field assessment is indicated by exam findings during a routine refraction visit

    Related Modifiers

    7 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…
    57CPT® modifier -57 (“Decision for Surgery”) is appended to an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service when that encounter results in the initial decision to perform a major surgery (a procedure with a…- Use modifier 57 when an E/M service provided by the same provider (or same tax ID) on the day of or the day before a major surgical procedure (90‑day global period) results in the initial decision…

    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…
    261QR0400XRehabilitation Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    1223P0106XOral and Maxillofacial Pathology DentistryThe specialty of dentistry and discipline of pathology that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and m…
    246QC1000XChemistry Pathology Specialist/TechnologistTechnologists, Technicians & Other Technical Service Providers · Specialist/Technologist, Pathology
    261QP0904XFederal Public Health Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    171WV0202XVehicle Modifications ContractorA contractor who makes modifications to private vehicles to accommodate a health condition.
    332S00000XHearing Aid EquipmentThe manufacture and/or sale of electronic hearing aids, their component parts, and related products and services on a national basis.
    251E00000XHome Health AgencyA public agency or private organization, or a subdivision of such an agency or organization, that is primarily engaged in providing skilled nursing se…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    19 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E11.319Type 2 diabetes mellitus with unspecified diabetic retinopathy without macular edema
    G47.30Sleep apnea, unspecified
    H10.9Unspecified conjunctivitis
    H16.9Unspecified keratitis
    H21.9Unspecified disorder of iris and ciliary body
    H25.9Unspecified age-related cataract
    H26.9Unspecified cataract
    H31.013Macula scars of posterior pole (postinflammatory) (post-traumatic), bilateral
    H35.30Unspecified macular degeneration
    H40.9Unspecified glaucoma

    Showing 1–10 of 19

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Emergency & Medical Transportation1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Fixed Wing Air Ambulance TransportCigna2026-08-15
    Air AmbulanceAmbetter Georgia2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for Tennessee Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceArizona Complete Health2026-08-01
    Air AmbulanceCentene2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceCentene2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceAmbetter Nevada2026-08-01
    Ambulance TransportProvidence Health Plan2026-07-01
    Air ambulance transport coverage criteriaeocco2026-07-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S2152-SOLID-ORGAN-TRANSPLANTATION-GLOBAL-CARE

    HCPCS Level II S2152: Solid Organ Procurement and Transplantation

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S2266-INDUCED-ABORTION-29-TO-31-WEEKS

    HCPCS Level II S2266: Induced Abortion, 29 to 31 Weeks

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S3630-EOSINOPHIL-COUNT-BLOOD-DIRECT

    HCPCS Level II S3630: Eosinophil Count, Blood, Direct

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S4017-INCOMPLETE-ART-CYCLE-CANCELLED-PRIOR-TO-STIMULATION

    HCPCS Level II S4017: Incomplete Cycle — Cancelled Prior to Stimulation

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S8055-ULTRASOUND-GUIDANCE-MULTIFETAL-REDUCTION-TC

    HCPCS Level II S8055: Ultrasound Guidance for Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S8940-EQUESTRIAN-HIPPOTHERAPY-PER-SESSION

    HCPCS Level II S8940: Equestrian/Hippotherapy, Per Session

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9024-PARANASAL-SINUS-ULTRASOUND

    HCPCS Level II S9024: Paranasal Sinus Ultrasound

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9366-HOME-TPN-1-2L-PER-DAY-HOME-INFUSION

    HCPCS Level II S9366: Home Infusion TPN, 1–2 L/day

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9446-GROUP-PATIENT-EDUCATION-NON-PHYSICIAN

    HCPCS S9446: Patient Education, Non-Physician Provider, Group, Per Session

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9451-EXERCISE-CLASS-NON-PHYSICIAN-SESSION

    HCPCS S9451: Exercise Classes, Non-Physician Provider, Per Session

    Showing 1–10 of 532

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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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