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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesVestibular Function Tests, With Recording (eg, ENG)CPT cpt-92537-caloric-vestibular-test
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    CPT 92537: Caloric Vestibular Test (Irrigation with Warm and Cold Water)

    Medicare pays $27 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 92537 describes a caloric vestibular test, a qualitative vestibular function assessment in which each ear is sequentially irrigated with warm and cold water while the clinician observes and documents eye movements (nystagmus) to evaluate vestibular nerve and inner-ear function; service type: diagnostic vestibular testing, typical site of service: audiology clinic, ENT clinic, or hospital outpatient setting.

    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 a neurotology clinic with several weeks of intermittent vertigo, sensation of imbalance, and associated nausea. The patient reports brief spells of spinning that are provoked by position changes and occasional hearing asymmetry. The clinician performs a focused history and physical exam, including bedside oculomotor and balance testing, then orders a caloric vestibular test to evaluate lateral semicircular canal and vestibular nerve function. The test is performed in an outpatient neurophysiology or audiology lab within the otolaryngology or neurology practice.

    During the procedure, the patient is seated or supine with the head elevated 30 degrees. Each ear is sequentially irrigated with warm and cold water (or air if indicated) while a clinician or trained technologist records induced nystagmus and eye movements using video-oculography or electronystagmography. The test typically requires monitoring of eye movements, brief observation periods after each irrigation, and documentation of unilateral weakness, directional preponderance, and overall vestibular responsiveness. Results are interpreted by the supervising physician (otolaryngologist, neurologist, or audiologist with physician oversight) and integrated with audiometry and vestibular testing to guide diagnosis and treatment planning.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    92550Tympanometry and reflex thresholdsPerformed during comprehensive audiology evaluation that may accompany vestibular testing
    92557Comprehensive audiometry threshold evaluation and speech recognitionBaseline hearing assessment often done before or alongside vestibular diagnostic workup
    95992Motor function tests (e.g., posturography)Complementary balance testing used to assess postural control when caloric results are abnormal
    92541Spontaneous nystagmus test/oculomotor evaluationPerformed as part of the bedside and laboratory oculomotor assessment of the vestibular system
    92543Positional nystagmus testingOften performed in the same clinical encounter to evaluate positional vertigo

    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…
    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…
    77Modifier 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…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2084N0400X
    133VN1005X
    2085H0002X
    207SG0203X
    2278E0002X
    2471C1101X
    2251H1200X
    332900000X

    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-92538-CALORIC-VESTIBULAR-TEST-MONOTHERMAL

    CPT 92538: Caloric Vestibular Test (Monothermal)

    CPT-92540-VESTIBULAR-BALANCE-TESTING-FOUR-TESTS-WITH-RECORDING

    CPT 92540: Complete Vestibular/Balance Testing with Recording

    CPT-92541-ELECTRONYSTAGMOGRAPHY-VIDEONYSTAGMOGRAPHY-EYE-MOVEMENTS

    CPT 92541: Electronystagmography/Videonystagmography Recording of Ocular Movements

    CPT-92542-POSITIONAL-NYSTAGMUS-ELECTRONYSTAGMOGRAPHY

    CPT 92542: Electronystagmography/Videonystagmography Recording of Eye Movements

    CPT-92544-OCULAR-MOTILITY-EYE-MOVEMENT-TESTING

    CPT 92544: Oculomotor Function Evaluation (Eye Movement Testing)

    CPT-92545-VESTIBULAR-VISUAL-TRACKING-ASSESSMENT

    CPT 92545: Visual Fixation Assessment during Balance Evaluation

    CPT-92546-VESTIBULAR-FUNCTION-SINUSOIDAL-ROTATION-TESTING

    CPT 92546: Vestibular Testing with Sinusoidal Vertical-Axis Rotation

    CPT-92547-VESTIBULAR-FUNCTION-TEST-VERTICAL-ELECTRODE-NYSTAGMUS

    CPT 92547: Vestibular Test with Vertical Electrodes for Nystagmus Assessment

    CPT-92548-COMPUTERIZED-DYNAMIC-POSTUROGRAPHY-SENSORY-TESTING

    CPT 92548: Computerized Dynamic Posturography Sensory Organization Testing

    CPT-92549-COMPUTERIZED-DYNAMIC-POSTUROGRAPHY-BALANCE-TESTING

    CPT 92549: Computerized Dynamic Posturography Sensory Organization Test

    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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