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AetnaAll Plans · Coverage · Medical Policy · OphthalmologyMedium impact

Extended Ophthalmoscopy (CPB 0767, reviewed 2025-12-02)

Effective date
Not stated in the notice
Identified
Aug 15, 2026

Summary

Aetna considers extended ophthalmoscopy with a detailed retinal drawing (CPT 92201 and 92202) medically necessary for evaluation of the posterior portion of the eye after routine ophthalmoscopy for listed indications such as retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, uncontrolled glaucoma or glaucoma suspect, and high axial length myopia of -6.00 diopters or less. It is not medically necessary when routine ophthalmoscopy showed normal clinical findings, and a repeat examination is medically necessary only when there is a change in signs, symptoms or condition for an indication that may progress. The service must add information not available from standard evaluation services or information that will demonstrably affect the treatment plan, and it is considered experimental, investigational or unproven for conditions such as optic neuritis, sickle cell disease and screening for retinoblastoma.

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What to do

Action · 6 steps
01Billing team: Claims for CPT 92201 or 92202 need documentation that routine ophthalmoscopy showed a serious retinal condition that exists or is suspected and requires further detailed study.
02Each detailed retinal drawing must be anatomically specific to the patient, clearly labeled, usually no less than 2.5 inches in diameter, and accompanied by an interpretation and plan.
03Where color coding is not used, the record must describe the anatomy and pathology of the fundus and periphery.
04When extended ophthalmoscopy is used to define optic nerve changes, ancillary drawings of cup to disc data (size, depth, rim, vessels and coloration) are required.
05Where fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, ultrasound or optical coherence tomography has already been performed, extended ophthalmoscopy needs a reasonable medical expectation of additive, non-duplicative information.
06Repeat examinations need a documented change in signs, symptoms or condition, because repeated examination at each visit without change may be considered not medically necessary.

Codes mentioned

9220192202B20C69.20C69.32D31.30D31.32E08.311E09.311E10.311E11.311E13.311G45.3H05.50H05.53H15.031H15.039H16.241H16.249H20.821H20.829H21.331H21.339H31.101H31.129H33.001H33.8H34.00H35.3293H35.33H36.89H40.001H42H43.00H43.9H44.001H44.539H44.811H44.819H47.231H47.239H52.10H52.13H53.121H53.139H53.15

Original notice

Extended Ophthalmoscopy (CPB 0767, reviewed 2025-12-02)
aetna.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
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