CPT code 92015: Refraction2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 92015 covers

Refraction measures how the eye focuses light and identifies the lens correction needed for clearer vision. An ophthalmologist or optometrist typically performs it by assessing vision with different lenses to determine the appropriate prescription for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. It is distinct from an eye-health examination, which evaluates ocular structures and disease, though both services may occur during the same visit.

Medicare lists this CPT code with status N, meaning Medicare does not cover the refraction. The service is not covered even when an eye examination is also performed. The code represents the refraction itself, not a pair of eyeglasses, contact lenses, or a separate diagnostic test such as corneal topography.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

Where 92015 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

92015 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 92015 rate is calculated

Each of 92015’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

Payment rules and modifiers for 92015

92015 has no global surgery period, no multiple-procedure, bilateral or assistant-at-surgery adjustment, and no professional/technical split. What changes the payment is where the service happens: the place of service on the claim decides whether Medicare pays the office or the facility rate.

92015 compared with similar codes

How to choose

92004Comprehensive eye examNew patient, one or more visits

Use 92004 for a comprehensive ophthalmological examination of a new patient. Refraction determines optical correction and is a separate service.

92014Comprehensive eye examEstablished patient

Use 92014 for a comprehensive ophthalmological examination of an established patient. This code describes measurement of refractive error.

92025Corneal topographyComputerized curvature map

92025 reports computerized corneal topography, which maps corneal shape; refraction determines the lens correction needed for vision.

Codes related to 92015

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates