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The CPT® Code 92522 pertains to the evaluation of speech sound production, which encompasses various disorders that impact an individual's ability to communicate effectively. These disorders can arise from organic causes, such as hearing impairments, cleft lip or palate, cerebral palsy, or ankyloglossia, which is a condition characterized by a restricted tongue movement. Alternatively, the issues may be functional, with no identifiable cause. Articulation disorders are a specific type of speech sound production disorder, where individuals may substitute, distort, omit, or add sounds and words, leading to challenges in clear communication. Phonological processing disorders involve a consistent pattern of sound errors that can hinder effective speech. It is important to note that while minor speech errors are common in young children as they develop their language skills, persistent articulation disorders beyond the age of 8 or ongoing phonological processing mistakes past the age of 5 warrant a comprehensive evaluation by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). This evaluation typically includes an audiogram to assess hearing capabilities, alongside both formal and informal observations of the individual's speech. Standardized testing tools, such as the Clinical Assessment of Articulation and Phonology (CAAP), may also be utilized to provide a thorough assessment. Verbal apraxia, another significant condition evaluated under this code, is characterized by an individual's difficulty in articulating their thoughts correctly and consistently, despite having no diagnosed weakness or paralysis of the speech muscles. This condition can be acquired at any age due to changes in brain function resulting from a stroke, head injury, tumor, or illness/infection. Conversely, developmental verbal apraxia is present from birth and may manifest as a broader language disorder or a neurological disorder that affects the signals to and movements of the muscles involved in speech. There may also be a genetic component to developmental apraxia, as it often appears in multiple family members. Dysarthria, a speech disturbance that can result from brain injury or issues such as paralysis, spasticity, or lack of coordination of the speech muscles, is also evaluated under this code. The assessment by an SLP typically includes an audiogram, formal and informal speech observations, and standardized testing tools like the Screening Test for Developmental Apraxia of Speech.
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The evaluation of speech sound production (CPT® Code 92522) is indicated for individuals exhibiting various speech sound production disorders. These include:
The procedure for evaluating speech sound production involves several key steps to ensure a comprehensive assessment of the individual's speech capabilities. These steps include:
After the evaluation, the speech-language pathologist will analyze the results from the audiogram, observations, and standardized tests to determine the presence and type of speech sound production disorder. Based on the findings, the SLP may recommend a tailored treatment plan that could include speech therapy, targeted exercises, or further assessments if necessary. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed. It is essential for individuals to engage in consistent practice and therapy to improve their speech sound production and overall communication skills.
| Short Descr | EVALUATE SPEECH PRODUCTION | Medium Descr | EVALUATION OF SPEECH SOUND PRODUCTION ARTICULATE | Long Descr | Evaluation of speech sound production (eg, articulation, phonological process, apraxia, dysarthria); | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 7 - Physical Therapy Service, for which Payment may not be Made | Multiple Procedures (51) | 5 - Special payment adjustment rules on the RVU practice expense component of multiple therapy service applies... | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Service Paid under Fee Schedule or Payment System other than OPPS | Type of Service (TOS) | 1 - Medical Care | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T2D - Other tests - other | MUE | 1 |
| GN | Services delivered under an outpatient speech language pathology plan of care | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | 95 | Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 52 | Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | 96 | Habilitative services: when a service or procedure that may be either habilitative or rehabilitative in nature is provided for habilitative purposes, the physician or other qualified health care professional may add modifier 96 to the service or procedure code to indicate that the service or procedure provided was a habilitative service. habilitative services help an individual learn skills and functioning for daily living that the individual has not yet developed, and then keep and/or improve those learned skills. habilitative services also help an individual keep, learn, or improve skills and functioning for daily living. | 97 | Rehabilitative services: when a service or procedure that may be either habilitative or rehabilitative in nature is provided for rehabilitative purposes, the physician or other qualified health care professional may add modifier 97 to the service or procedure code to indicate that the service or procedure provided was a rehabilitative service. rehabilitative services help an individual keep, get back, or improve skills and functioning for daily living that have been lost or impaired because the individual was sick, hurt, or disabled. | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GT | Via interactive audio and video telecommunication systems | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter |
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| 2015-11-13 | Changed | Changed description to include ; to reflect as parent code |
| 2014-01-01 | Added | Added |
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