Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The spontaneous nystagmus test, as described by CPT® Code 92541, is a diagnostic procedure that evaluates involuntary eye movements known as nystagmus. Nystagmus is characterized by rapid, uncontrolled movements of the eyes, which can be indicative of various vestibular disorders. These disorders often manifest as symptoms such as vertigo, which is a sensation of spinning or dizziness, and balance disturbances that may affect a person's ability to maintain stability, stand upright, or walk normally. The test is performed using electronystagmography (ENG), a method that records eye movements through electrodes placed on the skin around the eyes. The procedure includes both gaze evoked nystagmus, where the patient's eye movements are observed while they focus on specific targets, and fixation nystagmus, which assesses eye movements when the patient is instructed to fixate on a stationary object. The physician begins by visually assessing the patient's eye movements before utilizing the recording device to capture detailed data. This comprehensive approach allows for a thorough analysis of the patient's vestibular function and aids in diagnosing potential underlying conditions related to balance and coordination.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The spontaneous nystagmus test is indicated for the evaluation of various symptoms and conditions related to vestibular function. The following are the primary indications for performing this test:
The spontaneous nystagmus test involves several procedural steps to accurately assess eye movements and identify any abnormalities. The following steps outline the procedure:
After the spontaneous nystagmus test is completed, the physician will typically discuss the findings with the patient. The results may indicate the need for further evaluation or treatment based on the identified vestibular disorder. Patients may be advised to avoid certain activities that could exacerbate symptoms, such as rapid head movements or environments that could trigger dizziness. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to monitor the patient's condition and response to any recommended interventions.
| Short Descr | SPONTANEOUS NYSTAGMUS TEST | Medium Descr | SPONTANEOUS NYSTAGMUS TEST | Long Descr | Spontaneous nystagmus test, including gaze and fixation nystagmus, with recording | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | 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 | STV-Packaged Codes | Type of Service (TOS) | 1 - Medical Care | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T2D - Other tests - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 220 - Ophthalmologic and otologic diagnosis and treatment |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 92547 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N CPT Assistant Article Use of vertical electrodes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 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. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 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.) | AB | Audiology service furnished personally by an audiologist without a physician/npp order for non-acute hearing assessment unrelated to disequilibrium, or hearing aids, or examinations for the purpose of prescribing, fitting, or changing hearing aids; service may be performed once every 12 months, per beneficiary | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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 | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | 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 |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Guideline information changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.