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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesEvaluative and Therapeutic Otorhinolaryngologic ServicesCPT cpt-92612-flexible-endoscopic-evaluation-pharynx-swallowing
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    CPT 92612: Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Pharynx with Video

    Medicare pays $208 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 92612 describes a flexible endoscopic evaluation of the pharynx with cine or video recording performed to assess pharyngeal and swallowing muscle function; this is an instrumental swallowing assessment typically performed as a diagnostic endoscopic procedure in an outpatient clinic, otolaryngology office, or ambulatory surgery setting to evaluate dysphagia and pharyngeal motor function.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Lumbar Microdiscectomy, Artificial Cervical Intervertebral Disc, Lumbar Decompression.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 68-year-old male with progressive oropharyngeal dysphagia and multiple episode of aspiration presents to an otolaryngology clinic for diagnostic evaluation. He reports coughing with thin liquids, food sticking in the throat, and unintentional weight loss. The provider performs a flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopic swallowing evaluation using a transnasal flexible endoscope with cine/video recording to visualize pharyngeal and laryngeal structures during voluntary swallows. Topical anesthesia and topical decongestant are applied as needed. The clinical workflow includes pre-procedure history and focused cranial nerve and oral-motor exam, informed consent, instrument setup and video capture, repeated trials of varied consistencies (thin liquids, nectar, puree, solid) with compensatory maneuvers as indicated, immediate review of recorded clips for signs of penetration, aspiration, delayed swallow initiation, and residue, and documentation of findings and recommended next steps (therapy, instrumental barium study, dietary modifications). Typical site of service is an outpatient otolaryngology or speech-language pathology clinic, ambulatory surgical center, or hospital outpatient department. Common patient comorbidities include stroke, Parkinson disease, head and neck cancer, and neuromuscular disorders.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    31575Diagnostic laryngoscopy with flexible fiberoptic scope; transnasal or transoralOften performed as part of or immediately before a flexible endoscopic swallowing evaluation to assess laryngeal structure and mobility
    92610Evaluation of oral and pharyngeal swallowing function (e.g., bedside or standardized assessment)May be performed prior to endoscopic study to document clinical swallowing exam and guide need for 92612
    92526Videofluoroscopic swallowing study, performed with cine fluoroscopic recordingComplementary instrumental study when aspiration on FEES is suspected or to assess pharyngeal and esophageal phases under fluoroscopy
    92523Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with stroboscopy (if applicable)Related endoscopic evaluations for voice and swallowing; may be combined when indicated
    54300(Data not available in the input)Data not available in the input

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    96Modifier 96 is appended to CPT codes to indicate that a service or procedure was provided for habilitative purposes — i.e., to help a patient learn, maintain, or improve skills and functioning for…- Use modifier -96 when a procedure or service that could be either habilitative or rehabilitative is provided specifically for habilitative purposes — i.e., to help a patient learn, maintain, or…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    231H00000XAudiologist(1) A specialist in evaluation, habilitation and rehabilitation of those whose communication disorders center in whole or in part in hearing function.…
    2084P0800XPsychiatry PhysicianA Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
    208D00000XGeneral Practice PhysicianA physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
    207RI0200XInfectious Disease PhysicianAn internist who deals with infectious diseases of all types and in all organ systems. Conditions requiring selective use of antibiotics call for this…
    225200000XPhysical Therapy Assistant(1)Physical therapist assistants are skilled health care providers who are graduates of a physical therapist assistant associate degree program accred…
    207VH0002XHospice and Palliative Medicine (Obstetrics & Gynecology) PhysicianAn obstetrician/gynecologist with special knowledge and skills to prevent and relieve the suffering experienced by patients with life-limiting illness…
    261QX0100XOccupational Medicine Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    B37.0Candidal stomatitis
    C15.9Malignant neoplasm of esophagus, unspecified
    C34.90Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of unspecified bronchus or lung
    C91.10Chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B-cell type not having achieved remission
    E11.40Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy, unspecified
    E86.0Dehydration
    F45.9Somatoform disorder, unspecified
    F50.9Eating disorder, unspecified
    G31.84Mild cognitive impairment of uncertain or unknown etiology
    G47.00Insomnia, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Neurology/Neurosurgery1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Lumbar Microdiscectomyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Cervical Intervertebral Discuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Nerve Fiber Density Testing (IENFD/ENFD) Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Biomarker Testing for Multiple Sclerosis and Related Neurologic DiseasesOscar Health2026-10-01
    Biochemical Markers of Alzheimer Disease and DementiaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Serum Testing For Evidence of Mild Traumatic Brain InjuryOscar Health2026-10-01
    Evaluation of Cerebrospinal Fluid, Urine and Plasma for Alzheimer DiseaseBluecross Idaho2026-09-01
    Prior Authorization of Spinal ProceduresBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-09-01
    Alzheimer's Disease - Amyloid Beta- Directed Antibodies - KisunlaCigna2026-08-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-92601-COCHLEAR-IMPLANT-ANALYSIS-PROGRAMMING-UNDER-7

    CPT 92601: Cochlear Implant Analysis and Programming, Patient <7

    CPT-92602-COCHLEAR-IMPLANT-REPROGRAMMING-PEDIATRIC

    CPT 92602: Cochlear Implant Reprogramming, Patient <7 Years

    CPT-92603-COCHLEAR-IMPLANT-ANALYSIS-AND-PROGRAMMING

    CPT 92603: Cochlear Implant Programming and Patient Counseling

    CPT-92604-COCHLEAR-IMPLANT-REPROGRAMMING

    CPT 92604: Cochlear Implant Reprogramming, Age 7 and Older

    CPT-92605-AAC-DEVICE-EVALUATION-ONE-HOUR

    CPT 92605: Evaluation for Non–Speech–Generating Communication Device

    CPT-92606-ASSISTIVE-COMMUNICATION-DEVICE-TRAINING-CAREGIVER-INSTRUCTION

    CPT 92606: Therapeutic Training for Non‑Speech Generating Device

    CPT-92607-SPEECH-GENERATING-DEVICE-EVALUATION-FIRST-HOUR

    CPT 92607: Evaluation for Speech‑Generating Device, First Hour

    CPT-92608-SPEECH-GENERATING-DEVICE-ADDITIONAL-30-MIN-EVAL

    CPT 92608: Additional 30-Minute Speech‑Generating Device Evaluation

    CPT-92609-SPEECH-GENERATING-DEVICE-THERAPY-CAREGIVER-TRAINING

    CPT 92609: Therapeutic Training for Speech‑Generating Device

    CPT-92610-SPECIAL-OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGIC-PROCEDURE-SWALLOWING-EVALUATION

    CPT 92610: Special Otolaryngologic Procedure for Swallowing Evaluation

    Showing 1–10 of 37

    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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