Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: How do comprehensive (92585) and limited (92586) audio studies differ?


Washington, D.C., Subscriber


Answer: To report a comprehensive auditory evoked response exam (92585, Auditory evoked potentials for evoked response audiometry and/or testing of the central nervous system; comprehensive), the neurologist must measure middle latency and late cortical responses and evaluate brainstem response.

By combining these three auditory EPs, the physician can evaluate the status of several areas of the central auditory nervous system (for example, auditory periphery and brainstem, pathways between midbrain, etc.).

A limited audiometry examination (92586, ... limited), in contrast, describes limited auditory brainstem response testing used primarily in infant screening evaluations. The physician obtains and replicates the AER screening at one or two levels for each ear only, rather than the three levels necessary to report 92585.