AMA CPT® Assistant - 2014 Issue 8 (August)
Medicine: Audiologic Function Tests (Codes 92550-92597) (August 2014)
August 2014 pages 3-4 Medicine: Audiologic Function Tests (Codes 92550 - 92597 ) Diagnostic audiologic tests are conducted for individuals of all ages to identify hearing and balance disorders. Hearing tests are conducted as part of the work-up for specific audiologic and otologic conditions (eg, otosclerosis, chronic otorrhea, chronic recurrent ear infections, ruptured ear drum, etc). The history of specific symptoms and their severity, duration, and manner of onset, along with a physical examination, will guide the selection of the test procedure. The CPT codes discussed in this article are used to report audiologic tests that require the use...
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Article Overview
This August 2014 CPT Assistant article provides an overview of audiologic function test reporting across a range of CPT and Category III services. It is aimed at coding professionals, audiology practices, and billing teams that need a high-level understanding of the test families covered, the types of services discussed, and the organizations and reference sources cited in the guidance.
Why This Topic Matters
Audiology coding spans multiple test families and service types, and this article helps readers determine whether the premium content is relevant to diagnostic hearing and balance testing, pediatric and adult testing, middle ear evaluation, evoked studies, and hearing-device-related services.
Article Sections
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Overview of audiologic function testing and E/M relationships
Introduces the scope of audiologic testing and how these services relate broadly to evaluation and management services. It also notes general considerations for calibrated equipment and individual versus group testing.
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Laterality and modifier use
Addresses the general approach to bilateral testing and references modifier use when services are reduced. It also mentions group testing and related reporting considerations at a high level.
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Pure tone screening and threshold audiometry
Covers screening and threshold-based hearing assessment, including air-conduction and bone-conduction concepts. The section also discusses how these test families are distinguished in the article.
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Speech audiometry and comprehensive audiometry
Summarizes speech testing and combined audiometry services. It explains how the article groups related speech and pure-tone assessments within the broader code family.
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Automated audiometry and Bekesy audiometry
Describes automated testing and Bekesy-based testing as separate approaches within the article’s reporting framework. It places these services in context with manual audiometry and category-based reporting.
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Additional audiologic test families
Reviews other diagnostic audiology test categories discussed in the article, including loudness balance, tone decay, sensitivity index, and middle ear function testing. It also touches on central auditory evaluation, pediatric-oriented testing, evoked studies, and hearing-related device evaluations.
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Reference source
Lists the external reference cited by the article and identifies the broader hearing-health guidance source used in the discussion.
What You Will Learn
- How the article organizes audiologic function testing into major CPT and Category III service groups
- Which broad testing categories are discussed for hearing, balance, and middle ear assessment
- How the article frames speech, pediatric, evoked, and hearing-device-related audiology services
- Which external guidance source is cited in connection with early hearing detection and intervention
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Audiology practices
- Billing and reimbursement staff
- Compliance teams
- Revenue cycle professionals
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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