CPT code 92285: External eye photography, external structures2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Montana
External ocular photography records visible eye and adnexal findings for clinical assessment or comparison over time, with physician interpretation and a report.
In Montana, Medicare pays $23.71 for 92285 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 92285 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 92285 covers
An ophthalmic photographer or trained office staff member captures images of visible ocular structures, often using close-up or slit-lamp photography. Ophthalmologists and optometrists use the images to document findings such as eyelid or conjunctival lesions, corneal changes, and other external abnormalities, and to compare appearance at later visits. The service is commonly performed in an eye-care office or clinic.
Report 92285 when the record supports medically necessary external-eye imaging and includes the images and an interpretation or report. The code has professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies interpretation, modifier TC identifies equipment and staff, and no component modifier represents the global service. The ophthalmology diagnostic multiple procedure reduction applies to the technical component. CMS prices the code as bilateral, so modifier 50 does not increase payment when both eyes are photographed.
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.
How Montana compares for 92285
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 92285 runs from $20.38 in Arkansas to $33.04 in San Benito County, CA. Montana pays $23.71. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Montana · this page$23.71
- Los Angeles, CA · California$27.47+$3.76
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$27.69+$3.98
- Miami, FL · Florida$25.61+$1.90
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$24.70+$0.99
- Manhattan, NY · New York$27.68+$3.97
- Alaska · Alaska$25.64+$1.93
Other areas in Montana first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $20.75 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $20.38 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $22.96 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $25.54 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $25.49 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $25.49 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $25.49 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $25.49 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $25.49 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $25.49 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $25.49 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $30.29 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $27.40 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $25.49 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $25.49 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $25.70 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $26.95 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $26.86 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $27.65 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $32.28 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $32.25 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $33.04 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $32.94 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $26.40 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $28.04 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $27.00 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $28.33 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $25.49 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $30.26 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $25.49 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $25.49 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $24.96 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $25.53 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $23.40 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $24.53 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $23.11 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $24.20 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $21.53 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $26.36 | — |
| IowaIowa | $21.49 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $21.65 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $22.68 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $22.23 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $24.82 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $21.81 | — |
| KansasKansas | $21.33 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $21.29 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $22.54 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $21.23 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $27.86 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $24.74 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $25.46 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $23.93 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $21.75 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $23.28 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $23.42 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $21.94 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $23.86 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $22.40 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $22.69 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $20.75 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $20.57 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $22.04 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $23.32 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $21.65 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $24.51 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $27.29 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $25.81 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $22.07 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $23.62 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $28.43 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $25.96 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $28.01 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $22.45 | — |
| OhioOhio | $21.86 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $21.28 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $25.94 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $23.43 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $24.75 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $21.93 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $23.94 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $24.38 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $21.99 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $23.27 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $21.46 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $24.88 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $21.74 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $23.39 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $23.55 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $23.34 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $23.46 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $23.83 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $22.56 | — |
| UtahUtah | $22.36 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $23.15 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $23.94 | — |
| VermontVermont | $23.17 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $24.71 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $28.53 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $22.35 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $21.20 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $23.54 | — |
92285 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
Explore a state
Local rates. Clear comparisons.
Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.
$20.38
$29.27
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $25.64 | 1 |
| AL | $20.75 | 1 |
| AR | $20.38 | 1 |
| AZ | $22.96 | 1 |
| CA | $25.49–$33.04 | 29 |
| CO | $24.96 | 1 |
| CT | $25.53 | 1 |
| DC | $27.69 | 1 |
| DE | $23.40 | 1 |
| FL | $23.11–$25.61 | 3 |
| GA | $21.53–$24.20 | 2 |
| GU | $26.36 | 1 |
| HI | $26.36 | 1 |
| IA | $21.49 | 1 |
| ID | $21.65 | 1 |
| IL | $22.23–$24.82 | 4 |
| IN | $21.81 | 1 |
| KS | $21.33 | 1 |
| KY | $21.29 | 1 |
| LA | $21.23–$22.54 | 2 |
| MA | $24.74–$27.86 | 2 |
| MD | $23.93–$27.69 | 3 |
| ME | $21.75–$23.28 | 2 |
| MI | $21.94–$23.42 | 2 |
| MN | $23.86 | 1 |
| MO | $20.75–$22.69 | 3 |
| MS | $20.57 | 1 |
| MT | $23.71 | 1 |
| NC | $22.04 | 1 |
| ND | $23.32 | 1 |
| NE | $21.65 | 1 |
| NH | $24.51 | 1 |
| NJ | $25.81–$27.29 | 2 |
| NM | $22.07 | 1 |
| NV | $23.62 | 1 |
| NY | $22.45–$28.43 | 5 |
| OH | $21.86 | 1 |
| OK | $21.28 | 1 |
| OR | $23.43–$25.94 | 2 |
| PA | $21.93–$24.75 | 2 |
| PR | $23.94 | 1 |
| RI | $24.38 | 1 |
| SC | $21.99 | 1 |
| SD | $23.27 | 1 |
| TN | $21.46 | 1 |
| TX | $21.74–$24.88 | 8 |
| UT | $22.36 | 1 |
| VA | $23.15–$27.69 | 2 |
| VI | $23.94 | 1 |
| VT | $23.17 | 1 |
| WA | $24.71–$28.53 | 2 |
| WI | $22.35 | 1 |
| WV | $21.20 | 1 |
| WY | $23.54 | 1 |
How the 92285 rate is calculated
Each of 92285’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 · 92285
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.05
0.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.64
0.64 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.7100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$23.71
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Montana inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
11,744
- Code
- 92285
- Physician work
- 0.05
- Practice expense
- 0.64
- Malpractice
- 0.02
GPCI2026.csv
71
- Locality
- Montana
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.998
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.05 | × 1.000 | 0.0500 |
| Practice expense | 0.64 | × 1.000 | 0.6400 |
| Malpractice | 0.02 | × 0.998 | 0.0200 |
| Total RVUs | 0.7100 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Montana$23.71
Office: (0.05 × 1 + 0.64 × 1 + 0.02 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $23.71
Payment rules and modifiers for 92285
The CMS indicators that decide how 92285 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 92285
External eye photography, external structures
| 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
92285 without 26 · national office
$23.71
External eye photography, external structures
92285-26 · Professional component
$3.01
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 92285 has changed in Montana
92285 · Office / nonfacility
$23.71
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $1.41 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $22.30 to $23.71 (6.3%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.
What changed, release by release
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$22.30changed to$23.71
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense RVU 0.62 changed to 0.64
- Malpractice GPCI 0.978 changed to 0.998
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$23.29changed to$22.30
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 0.63 changed to 0.62
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$22.91changed to$23.29
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$23.37changed to$22.91
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 0.62 changed to 0.63
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$23.52changed to$23.37
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.61 changed to 0.62
- Malpractice GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.978
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$23.36changed to$23.52
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.60 changed to 0.61
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$22.59changed to$23.36
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.55 changed to 0.60
- Malpractice GPCI 1.304 changed to 0.977
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$22.44changed to$22.59
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.54 changed to 0.55
- Malpractice GPCI 1.631 changed to 1.304
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$21.69changed to$22.44
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.52 changed to 0.54
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$21.48changed to$21.69
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Malpractice GPCI 1.429 changed to 1.631
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$20.93changed to$21.48
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 0.51 changed to 0.52
- Malpractice GPCI 1.226 changed to 1.429
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$21.00changed to$20.93
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$20.90changed to$21.00
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$20.90changed to$20.90
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Malpractice GPCI 1.165 changed to 1.226
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$21.50changed to$20.90
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 0.56 changed to 0.51
- Malpractice GPCI 1.103 changed to 1.165
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $21.50
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $23.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $23.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $23.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $23.71 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $22.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $22.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $22.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $22.30 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $23.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $23.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $23.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $23.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $22.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $23.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $23.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $23.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $23.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $23.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $23.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $23.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $23.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $23.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $23.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $23.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $23.36 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $22.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $22.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $22.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $22.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $22.44 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $22.44 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $22.44 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $22.44 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $21.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $21.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $21.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $21.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $21.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $21.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $21.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $21.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $20.93 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $20.93 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $20.93 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $20.93 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $21.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $21.00 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $20.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $20.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $20.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $20.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $20.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $20.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $21.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $21.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $21.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $21.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Montana rate applies
Montana is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 497 cities and communities in Montana. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Absarokee
- Acton
- Alberton
- Alder
- Alzada
- Amsterdam
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
- Antelope
92285 billing questions
When should 92285 be used instead of 92250?
Use 92285 for photographs of visible external ocular structures, such as eyelids, conjunctiva, or corneal surface. Use 92250 for fundus photography of the posterior segment.
Does 92285 include the interpretation?
Yes. The global service includes the professional interpretation and report along with the technical service. Modifier 26 identifies the professional component when billed separately.
When is modifier TC appropriate?
Use TC when billing only the technical component, including the equipment and staff service. The technical component is subject to the ophthalmology diagnostic multiple procedure reduction.
Should modifier 50 be appended when both eyes are photographed?
No. CMS prices 92285 as bilateral, and modifier 50 does not increase payment.
What documentation supports reporting 92285?
Keep the external ocular images and a report documenting the findings and their clinical relevance. The record should show why photography was performed, such as documenting an eyelid lesion or a change in the ocular surface.
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
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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