How Code Bundles Help Optometrists Save Time on Billing and Coding

^{Updated Feb 11, 2026.}

Optometrist coding and billing slow down fast when you’re repeatedly searching for ICD-10 diagnosis codes, CPT procedure codes, and modifiers during or after every patient encounter. Code bundles help by grouping the diagnoses and services you commonly use together, so your team can apply them quickly and consistently.

In this guide, you’ll learn what code bundles are, what problems they solve, and how a bundled workflow can reduce manual entry, cut errors, and keep schedules moving.

Key takeaways:

• Code bundles reduce repeated searches for common diagnosis and procedure codes.
• Standard bundles help your team code more consistently across similar visits.
• Fewer manual entries can mean fewer preventable errors that delay reimbursement.
• Bundles work best when they match your most common visit types and are reviewed regularly.

Common Issues with Optometrist Coding and Billing

Optometrists must know examination procedure, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedure codes for every encounter to bill patients and send claims. An inefficient optometry EHR can cause optometrists to waste time due to repetitive manual data entry and result in costly billing or coding errors.

Time-Consuming Searches

A patient encounter may have up to four diagnoses, so it can be time consuming for optometrists to look up diagnosis codes in a search bar during patient visits.

In addition, the time spent searching for codes can result in a backlog of patients waiting too long in the reception area. As a result, patients may spend less time shopping in the optical section of your practice after their exams. Wait times also correlate to patient satisfaction. Patients who feel they waited too long may leave poor reviews online, leading to a loss of potential revenue for your practice.

Manual Data Entry Documentation

Optometrists may rely on their coding knowledge and use an outdated, inaccurate EHR to determine the correct codes for an examination. Additionally, ICD-10 guidelines require optometrists to ensure accuracy with their coding.

For example, an optometrist may enter a complication code but fail to document how the condition relates to the care or procedure. ICD-10 guidelines require documentation to support the clinical significance of the disease. The provider does not always have to indicate a complication, but if the condition changes the course of an encounter, a complication code would be appropriate.

Redundancy in Entering the Same Procedures

Documenting a patient’s encounter is essential for optometrist billing and coding, but many standard codes are used across multiple examinations. Errors can occur when optometrists continuously enter repetitive data throughout a patient’s chart.

Errors may include copying and pasting outdated records and entering erroneous examination results. These mistakes cause issues when it comes time to collect reimbursements from payers, who may question the validity of the claims and delay payment.

Common preventable coding workflow errors:

• Copying forward outdated information
• Selecting a code that doesn’t match documentation
• Missing or inconsistent modifiers
• Forgetting to update codes when the plan changes

Using Code Bundles for Optometrist Billing

A code bundle is a preset group of codes your practice often uses together, like ICD-10 diagnoses with related CPT services and modifiers. Instead of searching for each code individually, your team selects the bundle to start, then updates it for each encounter.

When code bundles are most useful:

Use bundles for your most repeatable visit patterns, like routine exams, contact lens fits, medical visits with recurring diagnoses, and common diagnostic testing workflows.

Start with a small set of high-volume visit types, then expand once the team is comfortable.

With RevolutionEHR’s optometry practice management software, optometrists can use code bundles like a favorites list to quickly and easily apply diagnosis and service codes to patient encounters without manually entering data.

Save Common Diagnosis Codes for Quick Access

If your practice sees the same diagnoses every day, save them to a common list so they’re easy to find during the visit. Over time, this reduces search time and helps staff apply codes consistently across similar encounters.

Apply Multiple Diagnoses with the Push of a Button

Many encounters include multiple diagnoses and services. With code bundles, your team can apply the most common combinations quickly, then confirm or edit codes based on what happened in the exam. This reduces rework after the visit and helps keep your day on schedule.

Reduce Redundancy and Save Time

Modifiers are easy to miss when you’re moving quickly. Standardizing commonly used modifiers in your workflow can reduce omissions and improve consistency.

Always confirm that a modifier is appropriate for the specific encounter and payer requirements before submitting a claim.

Provide a Better Patient Experience

Using optometry practice management software that bundles codes can improve the patient experience by eliminating confusion about which codes to use when billing for eye exams and other services. The bundled codes also help ensure that your reimbursements are accurate because they’re linked to specific procedures.

Having fewer codes to enter for each patient visit means less paperwork for your practice and more time to care for patients. As a result, you can improve patient outcomes and create a more positive patient experience.

Streamline Your Practice With RevolutionEHR

Want to reduce the time your team spends searching for codes and re-entering common procedures? See how code bundles can standardize your most frequent coding workflows so claims are easier to build, review, and submit.