With 2021 just around the corner, we are excited to share an audiology coding update to help you prepare for these changes. Effective January 1, 2021, seven new CPT (Current Procedural Terminology®) codes will be assigned to both auditory evoked potentials (AEP) and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) testing services. Please see below for specific information related to these changes.
The four new AEP CPT codes are:
| 92650 Auditory evoked potentials; screening of auditory potential with broadband stimuli, automated analysis |
| 92651 for hearing status determination, broadband stimuli, with interpretation and report |
| 92652 for threshold estimation at multiple frequencies, with interpretation and report |
| (Do not report 92652 in conjunction with 92651) |
| 92653 neurodiagnostic, with interpretation and report |
The three new VEMP CPT codes are:
| 92517 Vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing, with interpretation and report; cervical (cVEMP) |
| (Do not report 92517 in conjunction with 92270, 92518, 92519) |
| 92518 ocular (oVEMP) |
| (Do not report 92518 in conjunction with 92270, 92517, 92519) |
| 92519 cervical (cVEMP) and ocular (oVEMP) |
| (Do not report 92519 in conjunction with 92270, 92517, 92518) |
Please note the following codes will be deleted effective December 31, 2020.
| 92585 Auditory evoked potentials for evoked response audiometry and/or testing of central nervous system; comprehensive |
| 92586 Auditory evoked potentials for evoked response audiometry and/or testing of the central nervous system; limited |
Both American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and American Academy of Audiology (AAA) worked with the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) to develop and provide recommendations to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Please visit the ASHA and AAA websites for additional information on these efforts and changes.
To contact the Cochlear Coding Support Area, please call 800-587-6910 or email your questions to codingsupport@cochlear.com.
What are Coding Support Services?
In response to the need for a more comprehensive resource, Cochlear has established a Coding Support team. Just as Cochlear innovates and offers new products to support individuals with hearing loss, we offer a range of related resources to support professionals who may have coding-related questions. We recognize that providers are required to use their independent clinical judgment to render services, and the Coding Support team strives to provide timely and up-to-date coverage and reimbursement information to support patient access to Cochlear technology.
CPT and CPT material are copyrights of American Medical Association (AMA): CPT copyright 2020 American Medical Association, all rights reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Information is provided as guidelines only to address the unique nature of implantable hearing solutions technology. This information does not constitute reimbursement or legal advice. Cochlear Americas makes no representation or warranty regarding this information or its completeness, accuracy, fitness for any purpose, timeliness, or that following these guidelines will result in any form of coverage or reimbursement from any insurance company or federal health care program payer. The information presented herein is subject to change at any time. This information cannot and does not contemplate all situations that a health care professional may encounter. To be sure that you have the most current and applicable information available for your unique circumstances, please consult your own experts and seek your own legal advice regarding your reimbursement and coding needs and the proper implementation of these guidelines. All products should be used according to their labeling. In all cases, services billed must be medically necessary, actually performed, and appropriately documented in the medical record.
