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Official Description

Positional nystagmus test, minimum of 4 positions, with recording

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A positional nystagmus test is a diagnostic procedure that evaluates eye movements to identify the presence of nystagmus, which is characterized by rapid, involuntary eye motion. This test is crucial for diagnosing vestibular disorders that may lead to symptoms such as vertigo, dizziness, and balance disturbances. The procedure involves assessing eye movements in a minimum of four distinct positions, utilizing a technique known as electronystagmography (ENG) for accurate recording. During the test, the physician first observes the patient's eye movements visually before employing specialized recording equipment. This equipment includes horizontal electrodes strategically placed on the skin around the eyes to capture detailed data on eye movement. The standard positions for testing typically include head hanging forward, supine (lying on the back), and variations of supine with the head turned to the right or left, as well as lateral positions. The objective is to provoke and record any abnormal eye movements that may occur in response to specific head or body positions, which can indicate underlying functional disorders of the semicircular canals located in the middle ear. Following the test, the physician reviews the recorded data to analyze and interpret the results, aiding in the diagnosis and management of vestibular conditions.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The positional nystagmus test is indicated for patients presenting with symptoms related to vestibular disorders. These indications include:

  • Vertigo - A sensation of spinning or dizziness that can be triggered by changes in head position.
  • Dizziness - Generalized feelings of unsteadiness or lightheadedness that may affect balance.
  • Balance disturbances - Difficulty maintaining balance, standing upright, or walking normally, which may indicate vestibular dysfunction.
  • Involuntary eye movements - Observations of nystagmus or abnormal eye movements that require further evaluation.

2. Procedure

The procedure for conducting a positional nystagmus test involves several key steps to ensure accurate assessment of eye movements:

  • Step 1: Initial Observation - The physician begins by visually observing the patient's eye movements to identify any initial signs of nystagmus or abnormality.
  • Step 2: Electrode Placement - Horizontal electrodes are then placed on the skin at the inner and outer aspects of each eye. This setup is essential for capturing precise recordings of eye movements during the test.
  • Step 3: Positioning the Patient - The patient is positioned in a minimum of four specific orientations. Standard positions include head hanging forward, supine, supine with the head turned to the right, supine with the head turned to the left, lateral left, and lateral right. Additional positions may be utilized based on clinical judgment.
  • Step 4: Recording Eye Movements - As the patient is positioned, the ENG device records the eye movements. The physician monitors for any abnormal eye movements that may occur in response to the different positions.
  • Step 5: Data Analysis - After completing the positional changes, the physician reviews the ENG recordings. The data is analyzed to interpret the presence and characteristics of any nystagmus observed during the test.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for the patient typically involves a brief period of observation to ensure there are no immediate adverse effects from the test. The physician may discuss the findings with the patient, explaining any abnormal results and potential implications for further evaluation or treatment. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to address any ongoing symptoms or to initiate additional diagnostic procedures if necessary. It is important for the patient to report any unusual symptoms experienced after the test, such as prolonged dizziness or changes in balance.

Short Descr POSITIONAL NYSTAGMUS TEST
Medium Descr POSITIONAL NYSTAGMUS TEST
Long Descr Positional nystagmus test, minimum of 4 positions, 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.
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
GP Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care
CQ Outpatient physical therapy services furnished in whole or in part by a physical therapist assistant
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
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
25 Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59.
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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).
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.
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
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GX Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Guideline information changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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