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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesProsthetic ProceduresHCPCS hcpcs-l8628-cochlear-implant-external-controller-replacement
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    HCPCS L8628: Cochlear Implant External Controller Replacement

    HCPCS Level II code L8628 describes a cochlear implant external controller component replacement, a procedure code used for billing replacement of the external controller portion of a cochlear implant system; service type is replacement of external cochlear implant component and the typical site of service is outpatient or ambulatory clinic settings where cochlear implant maintenance or device exchange is performed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Speech Therapy for Autism Disorders - Medical Policy, Sensory Integration Therapy and Auditory Integration Training, Skilled Nursing and Skilled Rehabilitation Services (Outpatient).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult or pediatric cochlear implant recipient who presents for replacement of a malfunctioning or lost external controller component of their cochlear implant system. The patient may report device failure, intermittent sound, or inability to pair the external controller with the internal implant following trauma, water exposure, or wear-related failure. Clinical workflow includes device evaluation by an audiologist or cochlear implant program: functional testing of the external controller, verification of internal implant integrity via telemetry or clinic programming software, and confirmation that the replacement part is clinically appropriate. Once confirmed, the external controller component is ordered or dispensed, device settings are programmed by the audiologist, patient/caregiver education and verification of hearing performance are completed, and documentation of device model, serial number, and manufacturer is recorded for billing and warranty purposes. Typical site of service is an outpatient audiology or cochlear implant clinic; replacement components may also be provided at hospital outpatient departments or ambulatory surgical centers if coincident services occur.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    92601Evaluation of auditory function, comprehensive, with programming of speech processor (implant)Commonly performed when fitting or reprogramming a replacement external controller to verify function and map settings
    92602Evaluation of auditory function, programming of existing cochlear implant speech processor, each 15 minutesUsed for iterative programming sessions after installation of replacement controller
    92604Treatment of auditory rehabilitation; pre- and post-implant auditory therapyMay be part of the clinic visit when replacement requires rehabilitation or retraining
    95992Testing of auditory brainstem response with intraoperative monitoring and/or electrophysiologic testingPerformed when troubleshooting suspected internal device issues during replacement evaluation (if indicated)
    99070Supplies and materials (e.g., replacement external controller component), provided by the physician over and above those usually includedUsed when billing for non-DME replacement parts or clinic-supplied components if payor requires supply billing rather than HCPCS device code

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –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…
    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…
    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…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    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…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    82Modifier 82 is appended to a surgical CPT code to indicate that an attending physician acted as an assistant because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable. In teaching hospitals it documents…- When to use: Append modifier 82 in teaching-hospital settings to indicate a physician served as an assistant surgeon because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable (includes situations where…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208C00000X
    163W00000X
    207L00000X
    363LA2200X
    122300000X
    2471C3402X
    313M00000X
    163WX0800X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Physical Medicine, Rehab & Therapies1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Speech Therapy for Autism Disorders - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-12-01
    Sensory Integration Therapy and Auditory Integration TrainingColorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-11-01
    Skilled Nursing and Skilled Rehabilitation Services (Outpatient)Anthem2026-10-01
    Habilitation and Rehabilitation Therapy (Occupational, Physical, and Speech) (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Physical Therapy/Medicine Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-10-01
    Cognitive Rehabilitation Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-10-01
    Speech Language Pathology/Therapy Services Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-10-01
    Occupational Therapy Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-10-01
    Biomagnetic TherapyConnectiCare2026-09-11
    Habilitation and Rehabilitation Therapy (Occupational, Physical, and Speech) (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-09-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-L5000-PARTIAL-FOOT-SHOE-INSERT-LONGITUDINAL-ARCH-TOE-FILLER

    HCPCS Level II L5000: Partial Foot Shoe Insert with Longitudinal Arch, Toe Filler

    HCPCS-L5010-PARTIAL-FOOT-MOLDED-SOCKET-ANKLE-HEIGHT-TOE-FILLER

    HCPCS L5010: Partial Foot Molded Socket, Ankle Height, With Toe Filler

    HCPCS-L5020-PARTIAL-FOOT-MOLDED-SOCKET-TIBIAL-TUBERCLE-TOE-FILLER

    HCPCS L5020: Partial Foot Molded Socket with Toe Filler

    HCPCS-L5050-ANKLE-SYMES-MOLDED-SOCKET-SACH-FOOT

    HCPCS L5050: Ankle/Symes Molded Socket with SACH Foot

    HCPCS-L5060-ANKLE-SYMES-METAL-FRAME-MOLDED-LEATHER-SOCKET-ARTICULATED-ANKLE-FOOT

    HCPCS L5060: Ankle/Symes Metal Frame with Molded Leather Socket

    HCPCS-L5100-BELOW-KNEE-MOLDED-SOCKET-SHIN-SACH-FOOT

    HCPCS Level II L5100: Below-Knee Molded Socket with Shin and SACH Foot

    HCPCS-L5105-BELOW-KNEE-PLASTIC-SOCKET-SACH-FOOT

    HCPCS L5105: Below-Knee Plastic Socket Prosthesis with SACH Foot

    HCPCS-L5150-KNEE-DISARTICULATION-MOLDED-SOCKET-EXTERNAL-KNEE-SACH-FOOT

    HCPCS L5150: Knee Disarticulation Molded Socket with External Knee and SACH Foot

    HCPCS-L5160-KNEE-DISARTICULATION-MOLDED-SOCKET-BENT-KNEE-SACH-FOOT

    HCPCS Level II L5160: Knee Disarticulation Molded Socket, Bent Knee Configuration

    HCPCS-L5200-ABOVE-KNEE-MOLDED-SOCKET-SINGLE-AXIS-KNEE-SACH-FOOT

    HCPCS Level II L5200: Above-knee Prosthesis with Molded Socket and Single-axis Knee

    Showing 1–10 of 472

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    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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