Optometry Visits in a Nursing Facility: Can optometrists bill subsequent nursing facility CPT codes 99307-99310?
Optometrists may bill these codes if they are able to meet the individual code requirements. This type of evaluation and management visit requires that two of the three key components be met in order to bill the code. Being able to meet the requirements for the higher level codes within this series would be unlikely for optometrists considering their scope of practice, i.e. what they can assess, diagnose and treat. Rather than billing evaluation and management visits, the services optometrists render may be best represented by the codes under “General Ophthalmological Services” such as CPT codes 92012 or 92014. Related to this question is the expectation that if a beneficiary in a nursing facility requires the services of an optometrist, the attending physician is first notified to evaluate the need and give the order for the service before it is rendered. Additionally, optometrists should not bill E&M visits for routine screening exams or eye examinations for the purpose of prescribin
