CPT code 92081: Visual field test, limited examination2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Texas
Reports a limited visual field assessment, such as confrontation testing, when an eye-care clinician evaluates a focused concern about peripheral vision.
Medicare pays $31.58–$35.03 for 92081 in the office in Texas, from Beaumont, TX to Austin, TX. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
What 92081 covers
This service evaluates a limited portion of a patient’s visual field, commonly through confrontation testing or another limited field method. Ophthalmologists and optometrists may perform it in an office or outpatient setting when evaluating a focused concern, such as a suspected peripheral field deficit. The service includes the clinician’s interpretation and report, not just the act of administering the test.
Select this level based on the scope of the field assessment performed, rather than the diagnosis alone. Document the clinical reason, test method, laterality, findings, and interpretation. CMS prices the code as bilateral, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. The service may be billed globally, or its professional interpretation and technical equipment-and-staff portions may be billed separately with modifiers 26 and TC. When multiple ophthalmic diagnostic procedures are performed, the multiple-procedure reduction applies to the technical component.
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 92081 pays more and less in Texas
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
8 payment localities
$31.58 to $35.03
8 of 8 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | $35.03 | Unavailable |
| Beaumont, TX | $31.58 | Unavailable |
| Brazoria, TX | $33.46 | Unavailable |
| Dallas, TX | $33.63 | Unavailable |
| Fort Worth, TX | $33.41 | Unavailable |
| Galveston, TX | $33.53 | Unavailable |
| Houston, TX | $33.90 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Texas | $32.48 | Unavailable |
How the 92081 rate is calculated
Each of 92081’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.
How the rate is built · 92081
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.29
0.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.70
0.70 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
1.0100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$33.73
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 92081
The CMS indicators that decide how 92081 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 92081
Visual field test, limited examination
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 7 | Diagnostic ophthalmology reduction applies to the technical component. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 2 | Already bilateral by definition: paid once at 100%. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
92081 without 26 · national office
$33.73
Visual field test, limited examination
92081-26 · Professional component
$15.70
Pays only the interpretation and report.
92081 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 92082Visual field testIntermediate level
- Choose 92082 when the examination is intermediate in scope; 92081 describes a limited assessment such as confrontation testing.
- 92083Visual field examExtended visual field testing
- Choose 92083 for an extended visual field examination. The level follows the scope of testing performed, not simply the condition being evaluated.
- 92014Comprehensive eye examEstablished patient
- 92014 reports a comprehensive established-patient eye examination, while 92081 reports a limited visual field test. They may be reported together when each service is separately supported.
92081 billing questions
How does 92081 differ from 92082 or 92083?
92081 is for a limited field assessment, such as confrontation testing. Use 92082 or 92083 when the performed examination meets the intermediate or extended level, respectively.
Is 92081 reported once for both eyes?
CMS prices 92081 as bilateral. Modifier 50 does not increase payment.
Can the interpretation and testing portions be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical portion. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
What happens when other ophthalmic diagnostic tests are performed at the same visit?
The ophthalmology diagnostic multiple-procedure reduction applies to the technical component. Document the work and findings for each service performed.
What documentation supports 92081?
Record the clinical reason for testing, the limited method used, laterality, results, and the interpreting clinician’s findings. The record should support a limited—not intermediate or extended—field assessment.
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
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