Optometrists
What they do most for Medicare patients
| Service, sort | Times billed, sort |
|---|---|
| Removal of cataract with insertion of prosthetic lens | 4,141,711 |
| Established patient complete exam of visual system | 3,461,066 |
| Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 20-29 minutes | 1,766,346 |
| Photography of the retina | 1,596,359 |
| Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes | 1,201,330 |
| Imaging of retina | 968,698 |
| Established patient problem focused exam of visual system | 860,392 |
| New patient complete exam of visual system | 837,727 |
| Imaging of optic nerve | 817,518 |
| Exam of visual field with extended testing | 807,088 |
| Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 10-19 minutes | 257,186 |
| New patient office or other outpatient visit, 45-59 minutes | 211,524 |
| Removal of recurring cataract in lens capsule using a laser | 208,280 |
| Microfluid analysis of tears | 206,864 |
| Closure of tear duct opening using plug | 153,781 |
| Photography of content of eyes | 128,932 |
| Exam of the internal drainage system of eye | 104,109 |
| New patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-44 minutes | 96,657 |
| Ultrasound scan of cornea to determine thickness | 83,495 |
| Measurement of retinal and optic nerve function | 61,599 |
| Measurement of corneal curvature and depth of eye | 54,577 |
| Analysis of substance using immunoassay technique, multiple step method | 50,367 |
| Extended exam of the back part of the eye with optic nerve drawing | 48,544 |
| New patient problem focused exam of visual system | 43,876 |
| Exam of visual field with intermediate testing | 38,597 |
| Ct scan of cornea | 33,750 |
| Exam to measure eye deviation and range of motion | 30,285 |
| 2d ultrasound scan of eye tissue and structures | 29,987 |
| Imaging of front third of eye using a special microscope | 29,384 |
| Evaluation of eye adaptation to light and dark with interpretation and report | 27,706 |
| Subsequent nursing facility care with straightforward level of medical decision making, per day, if using time, at least 15 minutes | 27,199 |
| Complex removal of cataract with insertion of prosthetic lens | 24,075 |
| Subsequent nursing facility care with moderate level of medical decision making, per day, if using time, at least 30 minutes | 23,830 |
| Exam of visual field with limited testing | 23,475 |
| Extended exam of the back part of the eye with retinal drawing | 22,255 |
| Placement of amniotic membrane on eye surface for wound healing | 21,739 |
| Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 40-54 minutes | 20,729 |
| Extended exam involving color vision testing | 18,525 |
| Removal of eyelashes using forceps | 17,467 |
| Eye training exercise performed by health care professional | 16,303 |
| Imaging of front third of eye | 10,560 |
| Measurement of corneal pressure | 9,959 |
| Residence visit for established patient with moderate level of medical decision making, per day, if using time, at least 40 minutes | 9,206 |
| New patient office or other outpatient visit, 15-29 minutes | 8,092 |
| Measurement of nerve conduction using visual stimulation testing with report | 7,437 |
| New patient office or other outpatient visit, 60-74 minutes | 7,178 |
| Multiple measurements of eye fluid pressure over an extended time period | 5,963 |
| Therapy procedure using functional activities | 5,465 |
| Subsequent nursing facility care with high level of medical decision making, per day, if using time, at least 45 minutes | 5,417 |
| Therapy procedure to re-educate brain-to-nerve-to-muscle function, each 15 minutes | 5,330 |
| Eye training exercise under supervision of health care professional | 4,986 |
| Prolonged office or other outpatient evaluation and management service(s) beyond the maximum required time of the primary procedure which has been selected using total time on the date of the primary service; each additional 15 minutes by the physician or | 4,433 |
| Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of established patient that may not require presence of healthcare professional | 4,409 |
| Subsequent nursing facility care with straightforward level of medical decision making, per day, if using time, at least 10 minutes | 4,270 |
| Dexamethasone, lacrimal ophthalmic insert, 0.1 mg | 4,257 |
| Pattern recording of retinal electrical responses to external stimuli with interpretation and report | 4,119 |
| Therapy procedure using exercise to develop strength, endurance, range of motion, and flexibility, each 15 minutes | 4,117 |
| Fitting of contact lens for treatment of eye surface disease | 2,763 |
| Removal of foreign body from external eye (conjunctiva) | 2,442 |
| Ultrasound scan to determine eye length and lens power | 2,134 |
| Residence visit for new patient with moderate level of medical decision making, per day, if using time, at least 60 minutes | 2,100 |
| Dilation of tear drainage opening | 2,085 |
| Residence visit for established patient with high level of medical decision making, per day, if using time, at least 60 minutes | 1,854 |
| Residence visit for established patient with low level of medical decision making, per day, if using time, at least 30 minutes | 1,824 |
| Near infrared dual imaging of tear glands with interpretation and report | 1,596 |
| Removal of embedded foreign body in eyelid | 1,410 |
| Ultrasound scan of eye using water bath method | 1,378 |
| Removal of scars of eyelid lining due to infection | 1,227 |
| Residence visit for new patient with high level of medical decision making, per day, if using time, at least 75 minutes | 1,160 |
| Imaging of retina with remote review by physician | 1,143 |
| Removal of foreign body from external eye (conjunctiva or sclera) | 1,040 |
| Therapy procedure using sensory experiences | 982 |
| Training for self-care or home management, each 15 minutes | 927 |
| Imaging of retina for disease detection, with automated review and report at point of care | 874 |
| 1d and 2d ultrasound scan of eye tissue and structures | 869 |
| Initial nursing facility care with high level of medical decision making, per day, if using time, at least 45 minutes | 857 |
| Insertion of drug delivery implant into tear duct of eye | 841 |
| Initial nursing facility care with moderate level of medical decision making, per day, if using time, at least 35 minutes | 839 |
| Laser repair to improve eye fluid flow | 821 |
| Measurement of eye artery pressure | 754 |
| Removal of foreign body in cornea using slit lamp | 739 |
| Ultrasound of within the brain blood flow for blood clots | 700 |
| Ultrasound of within the brain blood flow following medication | 700 |
| Complete ultrasound of within the brain blood flow | 699 |
| Initial hospital care with moderate level of medical decision making, if using time, at least 75 minutes | 685 |
| Exam of retinal blood vessels using a special camera after injection of a dye | 650 |
| Subsequent hospital care with moderate levelof medical decision making, if using time, at least 35 minutes | 650 |
| Drainage of one eyelid glands using heat and pressure | 626 |
| Initial hospital care with straightforward or low level of medical decision making, per day, if using time, at least 40 minutes | 626 |
| Residence visit for established patient with straightforward medical decision making, per day, if using time, at least 15 minutes | 559 |
| Initial hospital care with straightforward or low-level medical decision making, if using time, at least 55 minutes | 558 |
| Telephone medical discussion with physician, 5-10 minutes | 542 |
| Other service or procedure on eye | 530 |
| Probing of nasal tear duct | 502 |
| Tear film imaging of one or both eyes | 492 |
| Telephone medical discussion with physician, 21-30 minutes | 460 |
| Administration of developmental test, first hour | 407 |
| Contact lens services for lens covering entire cornea | 389 |
| Fitting of contact lens for management of corneal condition | 342 |
| Destruction of growth of eyelid margin, 1.0 cm or less | 324 |
Sources: Medicare Care Compare (hospitals and schools; Medicare-enrolled clinicians), CMS Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners 2023 (services), Medicare Part D Prescribers 2024 (drugs).