Summary & Overview
CPT 92652: Audiologic Threshold Estimation at Multiple Frequencies
CPT code 92652 represents a diagnostic audiology procedure that measures a patient’s hearing thresholds at multiple frequencies and includes interpretation and a report. Nationally, this code is used in audiology and otolaryngology settings to document objective assessment of hearing sensitivity, supporting diagnosis, treatment planning, and eligibility determinations for hearing interventions. Its clinical importance stems from informing decisions about hearing aids, cochlear implants, medical evaluation, and occupational hearing management.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of typical service settings and clinical context, benchmarks for utilization and payment where available, relevant billing considerations, and recent policy updates that affect coverage and documentation requirements. The publication summarizes coding applicability for audiology and ENT practices, common modifiers used in billing, and areas where documentation and interpretation are central to payer decisions. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 92652 describes a diagnostic procedure in which the provider measures a patient’s responses to sound stimuli to estimate auditory thresholds across multiple frequencies. The service includes clinical interpretation and a formal report.
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Service type: Diagnostic audiologic testing for hearing threshold estimation across frequencies
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Typical site of service: Audiology clinic, otolaryngology clinic, hospital outpatient audiology department, or specialized hearing center
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult referred to an audiology clinic by an otolaryngologist or primary care provider for evaluation of hearing loss, tinnitus, or change in hearing. The patient presents with subjective difficulty hearing conversation, particularly in noisy environments, and history may include chronic noise exposure or otologic disease. The clinical workflow begins with registration and review of medical history and medications, followed by otoscopic inspection and basic tympanometry as needed. The audiologist or ear, nose and throat (ENT) physician performs a pure tone air and bone conduction audiometric threshold test at multiple frequencies to estimate hearing sensitivity, using calibrated audiometric equipment. Results are interpreted, documented, and an audiogram with threshold values is included in the report. The provider documents the medical necessity and interpretation, signs and finalizes the report. Typical site of service is an outpatient audiology clinic, ENT office, or hospital outpatient department. Billing uses CPT code 92652 for the threshold estimation testing with interpretation and report.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When reporting only the physician/ audiologist interpretation and report and the technical component is billed separately. |