CPT created a new section (92601-92617), Evaluative and Therapeutic Services, which includes codes:
92601-92609 for postoperative evaluations of cochlear implant patients
92610-92617 for evaluation and swallowing studies. Implant Codes Describe Postsurgery Services The first nine codes (92601-92609) in the Evaluative and Therapeutic Services section describe services provided after a cochlear implant, including activating and programming the speech processor and aural rehabilitation. Codes 92601 and 92603 describe postoperative analysis and fitting of previously planted external devices, connection to the cochlear implant, and programming of the stimulator, according to the section's introduction. Codes 92602 and 92604 describe subsequent sessions for measurements and adjustment of the external transmitter and reprogramming of the internal stimulator.The new codes include:
92605 Evaluation for prescription of non-speech-generating augmentative and alternative communication device
92606 Therapeutic service(s) for the use of non-speech-generating device, including programming and modification
92607 Evaluation for prescription for speech-generating augmentative and alternative communication device, face-to-face with the patient; first hour
+92608 each additional 30 minutes (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
92609 Therapeutic services for the use of speech-generating device, including programming and modification. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists perform most of the programming associated with cochlear implants, says Charles F. Koopmann, MD, MHSA, professor and associate chair of the department of
otolaryngology , physician billing director, and a member of the faculty group practice at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, so the new codes will not impact otolaryn-gologists significantly. Fee Schedule to Decide Impact of Swallowing Codes To report evaluation and swallowing studies in 2002, otolaryngologists had to use, based on payer, either 92525 (Evaluation of swallowing and oral function for feeding) or one of two HCPCS level-two G codes, G0193 (Endo-scopic study of swallowing function [also fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing] [FEES]) and G0194 (Sensory testing during endoscopic study of swallowing [add-on code] referred to as fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing] [FEEST]). CPT 2003 deletes 92525 and instructs physicians and coders to see 92610-92611 in its place. Medicare has not announced whether it will accept these new codes and use them in place of G0193 and G0194. 92610 Evaluation of oral and pharyngeal swallowing function
92611 Motion fluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing function by cine or video recording
92612 Flexible fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing by cine or video recording
92613 physician interpretation and report only
92614 Flexible fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation, laryngeal sensory testing by cine or video recording
92615 physician interpretation and report only
92616 Flexible fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and laryngeal sensory testing by cine or video recording
92617 physician interpretation and report only. One main change from 92525 to [...]
