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    OpenPayerBilling CodesNasopharyngoscopy, Nasal Study and Facial Nerve StudyCPT cpt-92518-vestibular-evoked-myogenic-potential-vemp-testing
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    CPT 92518: Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (Ocular VEMP) Testing

    Medicare pays $78 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 92518 reports vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing using ocular electrodes to measure ocular muscle responses to high-level acoustic stimuli; the service includes recording, interpretation, and report and is a diagnostic vestibular function test typically performed in an outpatient audiology clinic or specialty otology/vestibular laboratory.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM), Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®), Lumbar Microdiscectomy.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 52-year-old patient presents to an otology/vestibular clinic with episodic vertigo, imbalance, and unilateral aural fullness lasting several weeks. The clinician performs a focused history and physical exam including bedside vestibular testing. To evaluate otolith organ function and determine whether vestibular hypofunction or superior semicircular canal dehiscence is present, the provider schedules vestibular-evoked myogenic potential testing. During the visit, surface electrodes are placed beneath the eyes for ocular VEMP measurement while calibrated high-level acoustic stimuli are delivered to each ear. Responses are recorded, interpreted by the performing clinician, and a formal report is generated documenting latencies and amplitudes for diagnostic correlation.

    Typical clinical workflow:

    • Patient check-in, consent, and review of indications and contraindications.

    • Pretest preparation: removal of eyewear and metal, positioning supine or reclined, muscle activation instructions to optimize ocular VEMP recording.

    • Test performance: placement of surface electrodes near the inferior oblique/ocular muscles, delivery of calibrated auditory stimuli, and acquisition of waveforms for each ear.

    • Data processing: measurement of peak latencies and amplitudes, calculation of interaural asymmetry ratios, and comparison to normative values.

    • Interpretation and reporting: clinical interpretation of findings (e.g., absent/reduced responses suggesting saccular or inferior vestibular nerve dysfunction, or enhanced oVEMP amplitudes suggesting superior canal dehiscence), inclusion of technical parameters, and generation of a signed report for the medical record.

    • Communication: results communicated to the referring provider (otolaryngologist, neurotologist, or neurologist) for diagnostic and management planning.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    92540Electronystagmography, recording, interpretation and report, unless listed elsewherePerformed as part of a comprehensive vestibular test battery alongside VEMP for semicircular canal function assessment.
    92541Electronystagmography, interpretation onlyUsed when the technical portion of ENG is performed by a technician and a physician provides interpretation; complements VEMP interpretation.
    92625Evaluation of auditory rehabilitation status, first hourMay be performed in patients with vestibular complaints who have concurrent cochlear implant or hearing rehabilitation evaluations — less commonly paired but relevant in complex otologic care.
    92507Tympanometry and reflex threshold measurementsMiddle-ear assessment is often done prior to VEMP because conductive pathology alters acoustic stimulus transmission and can invalidate VEMP results.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2084P0800X
    2084N0400X
    261QP2300X
    261QL0400X
    2279P3800X
    314000000X
    175F00000X
    1835P1200X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    22 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    F45.8Other somatoform disorders
    G43.909Migraine, unspecified, not intractable, without status migrainosus
    G45.9Transient cerebral ischemic attack, unspecified
    G51.4Facial myokymia
    H81.10Benign paroxysmal vertigo, unspecified ear
    H81.11Benign paroxysmal vertigo, right ear
    H81.12Benign paroxysmal vertigo, left ear
    H81.20Vestibular neuronitis, unspecified ear
    H81.21Vestibular neuronitis, right ear
    H81.22Vestibular neuronitis, left ear

    Showing 1–10 of 22

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Neurology/Neurosurgery1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM)Kaiser Permanente2027-01-01
    Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®)bcbsvermont2026-11-01
    Lumbar Microdiscectomyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Cervical Intervertebral Discuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Responsive Neurostimulation for Focal EpilepsyPremera Bluecross2026-10-14
    Intraoperative MonitoringProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Intraoperative MonitoringProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    High-Intensity Focused UltrasoundMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Vagal Nerve StimulationAmbetter Nevada2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-92511-NASAL-AND-THROAT-ENDOSCOPIC-EXAMINATION

    CPT 92511: Nasal and Pharyngeal Endoscopic Examination

    CPT-92512-NASAL-RESPIRATORY-FUNCTION-TEST

    CPT 92512: Diagnostic Nasal Respiratory Function Test (Rhinomanometry)

    CPT-92516-ELECTRONEURONOGRAPHY-FACIAL-NERVE-ASSESSMENT

    CPT 92516: Electroneuronography for Facial Nerve Evaluation

    CPT-92517-VESTIBULAR-EVOKED-MYOGENIC-POTENTIAL-TESTING

    CPT 92517: Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (cVEMP) Testing

    CPT-92519-VESTIBULAR-EVOKED-MYOGENIC-POTENTIAL-TESTING-VEMP

    CPT 92519: Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential Testing

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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    92626Evaluation of auditory rehabilitation status, each additional 15 minutesAdditional professional time charges when extended interpretation or counseling is performed after testing.