CPT 92522: Speech Sound Production Evaluation

Medicare pays $116 and commercial payers pay $211 on average nationally for this procedure.

CPT code 92522 describes an evaluation by a speech‑language pathologist of a patient’s speech sound production, assessing articulation, phonological processes, and oral‑motor function; the service type is a speech‑language pathology diagnostic evaluation and the typical site of service is an outpatient clinic or office where the SLP examines the jaw, lips, and tongue for structure and function to identify mispronunciations and related speech sound issues.

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National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Nationally, Medicare averages $115.60 for CPT 92522 while BUCA’s mean commercial rate is $210.80, so BUCA sits about $95.20 higher than Medicare on average, reflecting materially higher commercial reimbursement versus the federal program. Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna show higher mean levels than Medicare as well, while Cigna and UnitedHealth Group fall between Medicare and BUCA.

Dispersion (P75 minus P25) highlights where rates are most and least variable: Blue Cross Blue Shield is widest with a spread of $116.60 ($325.60 - $194.00), followed by UnitedHealth Group at $95.40 ($189.30 - $98.59) and Cigna at $109.20 ($216.90 - $107.70). Aetna is the tightest among listed commercial payers with a spread of $36.20 ($113.80 - $76.00). Medicare’s interquartile spread is $8 ($118 - $110).

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CPT 92522: Speech Sound Production Evaluation

Medicare pays $116 and commercial payers pay $211 on average nationally for this procedure.

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National Reimbursement Benchmarks

National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 58-year-old patient with a recent diagnosis of oropharyngeal cancer presents for a speech–language pathology evaluation of speech sound production following transoral robotic surgery and partial oropharyngeal resection. The referring otolaryngologist requests assessment because the patient demonstrates imprecise consonant articulation and reduced oral motor strength affecting intelligibility. The SLP obtains history, reviews recent operative and radiotherapy records, and conducts a focused oral mechanism examination of the jaw, lips, tongue, palate, and velopharyngeal function. Standardized and informal articulation probes are administered to identify error patterns (e.g., substitution, omission, distortion), and stimulability testing is performed. Findings are documented, including objective measures of articulation accuracy, oral structure/function observations, recommendations for targeted therapy versus compensatory strategies, and anticipated prognosis. The evaluation typically occurs in an outpatient clinic or cancer rehabilitation setting with the SLP credentialed under the Speech-Language Pathologist taxonomy. The visit may be billed using 92522 for evaluation of speech sound production with documentation of the oral mechanism examination and diagnostic findings. Clinical workflow includes intake and chart review, oral motor and articulation assessment (30–60 minutes), documentation of results and plan, and communication of recommendations to the surgical and oncology team.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`92507`	Treatment of speech, language, voice, communication, and/or auditory processing disorder	Follows `92522` when individualized therapy is initiated based on evaluation findings.
`92508`	Group therapy for speech‑language pathology (when not direct one‑on‑one contact)	Used when subsequent treatment from the `92522` evaluation is delivered in a group format.
`92521`	Evaluation of speech fluency (eg, stuttering, cluttering)	Performed when fluency disorders are also a concern; may be billed in addition to `92522` if distinct.
`92523`	Evaluation of speech sound production; with evaluation of language comprehension and expression	Broader evaluation that includes both speech sound production and language — may be chosen instead of or in addition to `92522` depending on scope.
`92524`	Behavioral and qualitative analysis of voice and resonance	Complementary when voice or resonance issues are present after oropharyngeal surgery and require assessment beyond articulation testing.

Related Modifiers

8 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
25	CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…	- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
59	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
95	Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…	- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…
76	Modifier -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…
77	Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…	- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
22	Modifier –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…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
235Z00000X	Speech-Language Pathologist	The speech-language pathologist is the professional who engages in clinical services, prevention, advocacy, education, administration, and research in…
2355S0801X	Speech-Language Assistant	Speech, Language and Hearing Service Providers · Specialist/Technologist
103TC0700X	Clinical Psychologist	A psychologist who provides continuing and comprehensive mental and behavioral health care for individuals and families; consultation to agencies and …
372500000X	Chore Provider	An individual who provides home maintenance services required to sustain a safe, sanitary living environment for individuals who because of age or dis…
261Q00000X	Clinic/Center	A facility or distinct part of one used for the diagnosis and treatment of outpatients. "Clinic/Center" is irregularly defined, sometimes being limite…
261QR0404X	Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic/Center	Ambulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
2080P0205X	Pediatric Endocrinology Physician	A pediatrician who provides expert care to infants, children and adolescents who have diseases that result from an abnormality in the endocrine glands…
207UN0901X	Nuclear Cardiology Physician	A nuclear medicine physician who specializes in nuclear cardiology.

CPT 92520: Laryngeal Function and Voice Assessment

CPT-92521-SPEECH-FLUENCY-EVALUATION

CPT 92521: Speech Fluency Evaluation by SLP

CPT-92523-SPEECH-SOUND-PRODUCTION-EVALUATION

CPT 92523: Speech Sound Production Evaluation

CPT-92524-VOICE-QUALITY-NASALITY-VOCAL-BEHAVIOR-EVALUATION

CPT 92524: Evaluation of Voice Quality, Nasality, and Vocal Behavior

CPT-92526-DYSPHAGIA-EVALUATION-AND-TREATMENT

CPT 92526: Evaluation and Treatment of Swallowing Disorder

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`92507`	Treatment of speech, language, voice, communication, and/or auditory processing disorder	Follows `92522` when individualized therapy is initiated based on evaluation findings.
`92508`	Group therapy for speech‑language pathology (when not direct one‑on‑one contact)	Used when subsequent treatment from the `92522` evaluation is delivered in a group format.
`92521`	Evaluation of speech fluency (eg, stuttering, cluttering)	Performed when fluency disorders are also a concern; may be billed in addition to `92522` if distinct.
`92523`	Evaluation of speech sound production; with evaluation of language comprehension and expression	Broader evaluation that includes both speech sound production and language — may be chosen instead of or in addition to `92522` depending on scope.
`92524`	Behavioral and qualitative analysis of voice and resonance	Complementary when voice or resonance issues are present after oropharyngeal surgery and require assessment beyond articulation testing.

Related Modifiers

8 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
25	CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…	- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
59	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
95	Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…	- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…
76	Modifier -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…
77	Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…	- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
22	Modifier –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…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
235Z00000X	Speech-Language Pathologist	The speech-language pathologist is the professional who engages in clinical services, prevention, advocacy, education, administration, and research in…
2355S0801X	Speech-Language Assistant	Speech, Language and Hearing Service Providers · Specialist/Technologist
103TC0700X	Clinical Psychologist	A psychologist who provides continuing and comprehensive mental and behavioral health care for individuals and families; consultation to agencies and …
372500000X	Chore Provider	An individual who provides home maintenance services required to sustain a safe, sanitary living environment for individuals who because of age or dis…
261Q00000X	Clinic/Center	A facility or distinct part of one used for the diagnosis and treatment of outpatients. "Clinic/Center" is irregularly defined, sometimes being limite…
261QR0404X	Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic/Center	Ambulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
2080P0205X	Pediatric Endocrinology Physician	A pediatrician who provides expert care to infants, children and adolescents who have diseases that result from an abnormality in the endocrine glands…
207UN0901X	Nuclear Cardiology Physician	A nuclear medicine physician who specializes in nuclear cardiology.

CPT 92520: Laryngeal Function and Voice Assessment

CPT-92521-SPEECH-FLUENCY-EVALUATION

CPT 92521: Speech Fluency Evaluation by SLP

CPT-92523-SPEECH-SOUND-PRODUCTION-EVALUATION

CPT 92523: Speech Sound Production Evaluation

CPT-92524-VOICE-QUALITY-NASALITY-VOCAL-BEHAVIOR-EVALUATION

CPT 92524: Evaluation of Voice Quality, Nasality, and Vocal Behavior

CPT-92526-DYSPHAGIA-EVALUATION-AND-TREATMENT

CPT 92526: Evaluation and Treatment of Swallowing Disorder

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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CPT 92522: Speech Sound Production Evaluation

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National Reimbursement Benchmarks

OpenPayer

CPT 92522: Speech Sound Production Evaluation

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National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References

CPT 92522: Speech Sound Production Evaluation

Sign up for cpt 92522 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

CPT 92522: Speech Sound Production Evaluation

Sign up for cpt 92522 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

What does CPT 92522 cover in terms of the speech‑language pathology evaluation?

In what clinical setting and patient scenario is 92522 typically used?

Which related CPT codes might be billed before or after 92522?

What diagnoses commonly align with use of 92522 in this context?

Which payers are noted as covering services like CPT 92522 on this page?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

What does CPT 92522 cover in terms of the speech‑language pathology evaluation?

In what clinical setting and patient scenario is 92522 typically used?

Which related CPT codes might be billed before or after 92522?

What diagnoses commonly align with use of 92522 in this context?

Which payers are noted as covering services like CPT 92522 on this page?

References