Summary & Overview
CPT 92524: Evaluation of Voice Quality, Nasality, and Vocal Behavior
CPT code 92524 represents a clinical evaluation of voice quality, nasality, and vocal behavior, typically performed by a speech-language pathologist. This code is used to document focused assessments of voice and resonance disorders—conditions that can affect communication, swallowing safety, and quality of life. Nationally, accurate use of this code supports clinical documentation, care coordination, and appropriate claims adjudication for voice-related services.
Key payers included in the analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, United Healthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the code’s clinical intent, common service settings, and how it relates to adjacent speech-language pathology services. The publication also summarizes typical diagnostic contexts in which the code is applied and lists related evaluative and treatment codes used for comprehensive speech and voice care.
This summary prepares clinicians, coding specialists, and revenue professionals to understand the clinical purpose of CPT code 92524, recognize common scenarios for its application, and locate related codes for broader speech and language assessment workflows.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 92524 describes an evaluation of voice quality, nasality, and vocal behavior performed by a clinician, typically a speech-language pathologist. The service focuses on assessing the functional characteristics of a patient’s voice, including resonance and behavioral voice patterns, to identify disorders of voice and resonance.
Service Type: Voice and resonance evaluation
Typical Site of Service: Outpatient clinic or speech and hearing center, where speech-language pathology evaluation services are commonly provided.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 45-year-old female presents to a Speech-Language Pathology clinic with a 3-month history of progressive hoarseness and intermittent vocal fatigue after voice use. The otolaryngologist refers the patient for a focused voice evaluation to assess voice quality, nasality, and vocal behaviors. The speech-language pathologist conducts a comprehensive voice assessment including case history, perceptual voice rating, acoustic measures, aerodynamic measures as available, oral-nasal resonance assessment, and observation of vocal behaviors during conversational speech and standardized tasks. Findings may include reduced vocal intensity, breathiness, strained voice, or hypernasality. Based on the evaluation, the clinician documents diagnostic findings (for example, R49.0 dysphonia or J38.00 vocal cord paralysis) and develops a treatment plan or recommends medical/surgical follow-up. Typical documentation includes the evaluation report, standardized test scores, recommendations, and time spent. The service is commonly provided in an outpatient speech and hearing clinic, ENT clinic, or rehabilitation facility and is billed under 92524 for the voice quality and resonance evaluation.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 |