Extended Visual Field Exam (Humphrey Visual Field)
CPT 92083 is an extended visual field examination, most commonly performed using a Humphrey perimeter. It is the standard test for monitoring glaucoma progression and is used over 2.2 million times per year in Medicare. Providers charge an average of $147.34, but Medicare pays only $63.80 (2.3x markup). Unlike most medical codes, the Medicare rate is the same in office and hospital settings because the cost is driven by the testing equipment, not by where the test is done. The biggest billing concern with this code is frequency: many practices order visual fields more often than clinically necessary.
CPT 92083 at a Glance
- Average provider charge: $147.34
- Medicare rate (office): $63.80
- Medicare rate (hospital): $63.80 (same, equipment-heavy)
- Typical markup: 2.3x over Medicare rate
- Test type: Extended visual field (automated perimetry)
- Primary use: Glaucoma monitoring
- Medicare frequency: Once per year for glaucoma
- Beneficiaries (2023): 2.3 million
On this page
How the Medicare Rate Is Calculated
Medicare prices every procedure using Relative Value Units (RVUs) across three components, then multiplies by a national conversion factor of $33.4009 (2026). Here is the exact math for a 92083 visual field test. Notice that the Practice Expense RVU is the same in both settings, which is unusual and reflects the equipment-driven nature of this test:
| Component | What It Covers | Office (Non-Facility) | Hospital (Facility) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | Physician interpretation time | 0.49 | 0.49 |
| Practice Expense RVU | Equipment (Humphrey perimeter), technician time | 1.40 | 1.40 |
| Malpractice RVU | Professional liability insurance | 0.02 | 0.02 |
| Total RVU | 1.91 | 1.91 | |
| x $33.4009 | 2026 conversion factor | $63.80 | $63.80 |
Medicare Rate by State
Medicare adjusts the national rate based on your location using Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs). The same 92083 test pays differently in each state, ranging from about $49 in Arkansas to $60 in Alaska (a 22% spread). The spread is smaller than office visit codes because the equipment cost is a large fixed portion.
Medicare Rate by State (2026)
Medicare adjusts payments by location using Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs). Select your state to see the adjusted rate.
Sample State Rates
| State | Medicare Pays | Avg. Charge | Markup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas (Austin) | $53.73 | $147.34 | 2.7x |
| California (Los Angeles) | $55.52 | $147.34 | 2.7x |
| New York (Manhattan) | $56.16 | $147.34 | 2.6x |
| Florida (Fort Lauderdale) | $53.47 | $147.34 | 2.8x |
| Ohio | $50.96 | $147.34 | 2.9x |
| Mississippi | $49.19 | $147.34 | 3.0x |
| Arkansas | $48.93 | $147.34 | 3.0x |
| Alaska | $59.59 | $147.34 | 2.5x |
Rates shown use 2026 GPCIs and the $33.4009 conversion factor. The average provider charge of $147.34 is the 2023 national average from CMS utilization data. Actual charges vary by provider.
What Insured Patients Actually Pay for a 92083 Test
If you have health insurance, you do not pay the provider's full charge of $147.34. Your insurer has a negotiated rate, typically 120% to 200% of the Medicare rate. For a 92083 test, that negotiated rate is usually $75 to $130. What you owe depends on your plan design:
| Your Situation | What You Likely Pay | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Copay plan (deductible met) | $0 to $50 | Often bundled under the office visit copay; some plans have a separate diagnostic test copay |
| Coinsurance plan (deductible met) | $15 to $26 | 20% of the negotiated rate ($75 to $130) |
| High-deductible plan (deductible NOT met) | $75 to $130 | You pay the full negotiated rate until your deductible is met |
| Medicare Part B | $12.76 | 20% of the Medicare-approved amount ($63.80) |
| Medicaid | $0 to $4 | Minimal or no cost-sharing in most states |
Should You Use Insurance or Pay Cash?
For a visual field test, the cash price is typically $60 to $120 at most ophthalmology practices. If your deductible is not met, the insurance-negotiated rate of $75 to $130 may be higher than the cash rate, making cash pay a reasonable option for the test itself.
When Cash-Pay Wins
- Your deductible is not met and the cash rate is lower than the negotiated rate
- You are getting this test at a standalone testing center with competitive pricing
- You only need the visual field test (not a full exam at the same visit)
When Using Insurance Wins
- You are getting an exam and multiple tests at the same visit (total cost adds up toward your deductible)
- Your deductible is already met and you only owe coinsurance
- You are close to meeting your out-of-pocket maximum
Common Billing Problems with 92083
Excessive testing frequency
This is the most common billing concern with visual field testing. Some practices order visual fields at every visit (every 3 to 6 months) even when the patient's glaucoma is stable. Medicare covers this test once per year for stable glaucoma patients. More frequent testing is only justified if the condition is progressing, medication has changed, or a new concern has developed. If you are being tested every 4 to 6 months and your condition is stable, ask your doctor whether annual testing would be sufficient.
Testing ordered without clinical indication
Visual field testing should be ordered when there is a clinical reason: confirmed or suspected glaucoma, neurological conditions affecting vision, or unexplained vision loss. Some practices include visual field testing as part of a "comprehensive package" for all patients regardless of diagnosis. If you do not have glaucoma or another condition that affects your visual field, question whether the test is necessary.
Unreliable test results still billed
Visual field tests require patient cooperation (pressing a button when you see a light flash). If you blink too much, lose focus, or fall asleep, the results may be unreliable. The test printout includes reliability indices. If the test is deemed unreliable and needs to be repeated, you should not be charged twice. Check your bill if you were asked to redo the test during the same visit.
Billing 92083 when 92081 or 92082 would be appropriate
CPT 92081 is a limited visual field test and 92082 is an intermediate test. They pay less than the extended 92083. If only a screening or limited test was performed, the lower code may be more appropriate. The distinction depends on the number of test points and the extent of the visual field evaluated. Most glaucoma monitoring genuinely requires 92083, but confirm that the full extended test was actually run.
Related Eye Care Codes
| Code | Description | Medicare Rate | Avg. Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 92014 | Comprehensive eye exam, established patient | $127.26 | $219.94 |
| 92081 | Limited visual field exam | ~$30 | ~$70 |
| 92083 | Extended visual field exam | $63.80 | $147.34 |
| 92133 | OCT scan, optic nerve | $30.73 | $103.07 |
| 92134 | OCT scan, retina | ~$37 | ~$115 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a visual field test (92083) cost without insurance?
Without insurance, a visual field test billed under CPT 92083 costs $100 to $225 depending on the provider and location. The national average charge is $147.34. Many ophthalmologists offer a cash-pay discount, bringing the price closer to $80 to $120. For comparison, Medicare pays $63.80 for this test.
How often should visual field testing be done for glaucoma?
For most stable glaucoma patients, annual visual field testing is sufficient. Medicare covers visual field testing once per year for glaucoma patients. If your condition is progressing or newly diagnosed, more frequent testing (every 6 months) may be clinically justified. However, some practices order visual fields at every visit regardless of stability. Ask your doctor whether the frequency is appropriate for your specific condition.
Why does the office rate equal the hospital rate for 92083?
Unlike office visit codes where the Practice Expense RVU differs between settings, CPT 92083 has the same PE RVU (1.40) in both settings. This is because the test is equipment-heavy (the Humphrey perimeter machine), and the equipment cost is allocated the same way regardless of where the test is performed. The Medicare payment is $63.80 in both settings.
Is a visual field test (92083) billed separately from the eye exam?
Yes. The visual field test (92083) is always billed separately from the eye exam (92014 or 92012). They are distinct services. A typical glaucoma visit may include the eye exam (92014 at $127.26), visual field test (92083 at $63.80), and possibly an OCT scan (92133 at $30.73), totaling over $220 in Medicare-allowed charges before any patient cost-sharing.
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