CPT Code 92557 | Description & Clinical Information
CPT 92557 describes the evaluation of a patient’s hearing ability through the use of a series of tones at different intensities to determine the lowest level at which the patient can hear, as well as the assessment of the patient’s ability to recognize and repeat familiar words. evaluate the comprehensive audiometry threshold and speech recognition.
1. What Is CPT Code 92557?
CPT 92557 covers a hearing assessment with different tones at different intensities. This procedure is used to find out what the lowest level is that the patient still can hear.
They also measure the patient’s ability to recognize and repeat familiar words.
2. Description
The CPT book describes the CPT code 92557 as follows: “Comprehensive audiometry threshold evaluation and speech recognition (CPT 92553 and CPT 92556 combined).
3. Procedure
The procedure described by CPT code 92557 involves assessing a patient’s ability to hear different sounds and determining the softest level at which the patient can hear. This diagnostic test is commonly known as pure-tone audiometry and is often used to assess hearing loss or other hearing-related issues.
During the test, the patient is placed in a soundproof booth and fitted with headphones or presented with a series of tones through speakers. A headband is also placed on the patient’s forehead or against the bone behind the ears to conduct sound through the skull and into the inner ear.
As the provider conducts the test, they will identify how responsive the patient is to different sounds and establish the softest level at which the patient can hear. This information is crucial for understanding the severity of a patient’s hearing loss and determining the best course of treatment.
In addition to assessing the patient’s ability to hear different tones, the provider will also conduct a speech audiometry test. This test involves the patient repeating words heard while wearing headphones, starting with sounds of low intensity.
The objective of this test is to determine the patient’s speech reception threshold, which is the lowest level of sound that the patient can easily understand and repeat. This information is valuable for identifying communication difficulties that a patient may be experiencing, such as difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments.
Overall, the CPT 92557 procedure is a valuable diagnostic tool for assessing a patient’s hearing ability and identifying any hearing-related issues they may be experiencing. By conducting both pure-tone and speech audiometry tests, providers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of a patient’s hearing health and develop a personalized treatment plan to address any identified issues.
4. How To Use CPT Code 92557
Do not use CPT code 92557 for hearing aid evaluation and selection. Instead, you can use CPT 92590, CPT 92591, CPT 92592, CPT 92593, CPT 92594, or CPT 92595.
In the case of automated audiometry, use CPT 0208T, CPT 0209T, CPT 0210T, CPT 0211T, or CPT 0212T.
Use CPT code 92557 if a provider performed multiple comprehensive audiometry evaluations for a patient suffering from Meniere’s disease. The patient is dosed with glycerol, and the tests are repeated three times in a period of four hours.
Every evaluation in the case described above needs to be reported separately for reimbursement purposes. Make sure to add the appropriate modifiers to show the payer that multiple evaluations were performed.
The claim will be denied without the correct modifier. You can use modifier 76 for repeated procedures or services by the same provider or modifier 51 for multiple procedures.
Return to all the CPT codes for audiologic function tests.
5. Resources
https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleId=56497
