How To Use CPT Code 92590

CPT 92590 describes the assessment and selection of a hearing aid for use in one ear. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 92590?

CPT 92590 can be used to describe the assessment and selection of a hearing aid for use in one ear. This code is used when a provider determines the appropriate type and amplification of the hearing aid for the patient’s condition.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 92590 is: ‘Hearing aid examination and selection; monaural.’

3. Procedure

1. The provider begins by taking a general health history and discussing the patient’s current medications, childhood diseases, and symptoms of hearing loss.
2. The provider then examines the patient’s ear, inspecting the ear canal and eardrum using an otoscope.
3. The otoscope is a lighted instrument that magnifies the structures in the ear, allowing the provider to detect any conditions that may be causing the hearing deficiency, such as ear wax blockages, eardrum perforations, or indications of infection.
4. If a medical or surgical solution is not feasible, the provider recommends the type of hearing aid that best meets the patient’s condition.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible for CPT 92590 are those who may benefit from the use of amplification in one ear. The provider assesses the patient’s condition and determines if a hearing aid is appropriate. This code is used for monaural hearing aid examinations and selections.

5. When to use CPT code 92590

CPT code 92590 should be used when a provider performs a hearing aid assessment and selection for use in one ear. It is not appropriate to use this code for bilateral hearing aid assessments or selections.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 92590, the provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s general health history, including current medications, childhood diseases, and symptoms of hearing loss
• Results of the ear examination, including any conditions detected
• Recommendation for the type of hearing aid that best meets the patient’s condition

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 92590, ensure that the service is inherently unilateral and does not require modifier 52, Reduced services. This code should not be reported with other codes unless appropriate and supported by the documentation.

8. Historical information

CPT 92590 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A provider performs a hearing aid assessment and selects a monaural hearing aid for a patient with hearing loss in one ear.
2. A patient presents with symptoms of hearing loss in one ear, and the provider examines the ear and recommends a monaural hearing aid.
3. A provider assesses a patient’s condition and determines that a monaural hearing aid is appropriate for their hearing loss in one ear.
4. A patient with hearing loss in one ear undergoes a hearing aid examination, and the provider selects a monaural hearing aid based on the assessment.
5. A provider performs an otoscopic examination and detects a condition in the ear that requires the use of a monaural hearing aid for the patient’s hearing loss in one ear.
6. A patient with hearing loss in one ear undergoes an assessment, and the provider recommends a monaural hearing aid based on the examination results.
7. A provider discusses the patient’s symptoms of hearing loss in one ear and performs an examination to determine the appropriate type of hearing aid for their condition.
8. A patient presents with symptoms of hearing loss in one ear, and the provider recommends a monaural hearing aid after assessing their condition.
9. A provider examines the patient’s ear and detects a condition that requires the use of a monaural hearing aid for their hearing loss in one ear.
10. A patient with hearing loss in one ear undergoes an assessment, and the provider selects a monaural hearing aid based on the examination findings.