CurrentBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode IslandPolicy N/A

Rhinomanometry and Acoustic/Optical Rhinomanometry

Policy on coverage and medical necessity of rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry, and optical rhinometry for measuring nasal patency across Medicare Advantage and Commercial products offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield Rhode Island.

Policy Summary

PayerBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island

PolicyRhinomanometry and Acoustic/Optical Rhinomanometry

Policy CodePolicy N/A

Change TypeNo material change

Effective DateDec 1, 2008

Next Review DateN/A

Key ActionVerify member-specific benefits and eligibility via the member's Benefit Booklet, Evidence of Coverage, or Subscriber Agreement; coverage may vary by contract.

POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

No material changes — the policy contains no new or updated coverage criteria or clinical changes.

1CPT codes listed as not covered/not medically necessary

2Payer lines stating noncoverage (Medicare Advantage, Commercial)

2008-12-01Policy effective date

2026-02-04Last review date

Coverage Determination

Rhinomanometry and acoustic/optical rhinometry are covered only under the following determinations:

ALL of the following

Payer lines
- Medicare Advantage Plans: Rhinomanometry and acoustic/optical rhinometry are considered not covered as the evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.
- Commercial Products: Rhinomanometry and acoustic/optical rhinometry are considered not medically necessary as the evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.
Benefit variability note: Benefits may vary between groups and contracts; refer to the applicable Benefit Booklet, Evidence of Coverage, or Subscriber Agreement for medically necessary benefits/coverage.

CPT codes: 92512 Nasal function studies (e.g., rhinomanometry) is not covered for Medicare Advantage Plans and considered not medically necessary for Commercial Products.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Rhode Island considers rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry, and optical rhinometry not covered / not medically necessary across Medicare Advantage and Commercial products. This policy determination applies to the measurement of nasal patency using these tests and is reflected in the payer’s coverage position.

Medical Necessity / Evidence Basis

Evidence summary: No studies identified that prospectively compare patient outcomes with and without these tests; insufficient evidence of clinical utility. The scientific literature does not permit conclusions about the effect of rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry, or optical rhinometry on health outcomes. No prospective outcome studies have been published that evaluate clinical utility, resulting in an insufficient-evidence determination and classification of these technologies as not medically necessary.

Definitions

RhinomanometryTest measuring air pressure and airflow in the nasal airway during respiration to calculate nasal airway resistance.

Acoustic rhinometryTechnique assessing the geometry of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx by analysis of reflected sound waves to evaluate nasal obstruction.

Optical rhinometryTechnique using an emitter and detector placed on opposite sides of the nose to detect relative changes in nasal congestion by changes in transmitted light absorption (red/near-infrared) due to hemoglobin and increased local blood volume.

Actions for Providers

Documentation Required

Benefit verification

Verify member-specific benefits and eligibility via the member's Benefit Booklet, Evidence of Coverage, or Subscriber Agreement; coverage may vary by contract.

Check the member's Evidence of Coverage or Benefit Booklet for applicable benefits and any contract-specific exclusions.

Denial Risk

Claims denial risk for uninsured tests

Claims for rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry, or optical rhinometry may be denied/not covered for Medicare Advantage and considered not medically necessary for Commercial products per this policy.

Affected CPT code: 92512
Medicare Advantage: denied/not covered
Commercial: considered not medically necessary

Background

Rhinomanometry measures air pressure and airflow in the nasal airway during respiration to calculate nasal airway resistance. Acoustic rhinometry assesses nasal cavity geometry by analyzing sound waves reflected from the nasal cavities. Optical rhinometry uses an emitter and detector across the nose to detect changes in nasal congestion by measuring transmitted light absorption. Despite these objective measurements of nasal patency, the scientific evidence does not show that use of these tests improves health outcomes, and there is a lack of studies demonstrating clinical benefit.

Definitions

RhinomanometryTest measuring air pressure and the rate of airflow in the nasal airway during respiration; findings used to calculate nasal airway resistance as an objective quantification of nasal airway patency.

Acoustic rhinometryTechnique for assessment of the geometry of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx and for evaluating nasal obstruction based on analysis of sound waves reflected from the nasal cavities.

Optical rhinometryTechnique that uses an emitter and a detector placed at opposite sides of the nose to detect relative changes in nasal congestion by change in transmitted light; based on absorption of red/near-infrared light by hemoglobin and swelling-associated increases in local blood volume.

Revision History

Provider Update, April 2026policy_publishedLatest

Provider Update published listing policy details; policy last reviewed 02/04/2026, effective date 12/01/2008.

Provider Update, March 2025policy_published

Provider Update published listing policy details.

Provider Update, March 2024policy_published

Provider Update published listing policy details.

Provider Update, March 2023policy_published

Provider Update published listing policy details.

Provider Update, July 2022policy_published

Provider Update published listing policy details.

Policy Summary

PayerBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island

PolicyRhinomanometry and Acoustic/Optical Rhinomanometry

Policy CodePolicy N/A

Change TypeNo material change

Effective DateDec 1, 2008

Next Review DateN/A

Key ActionVerify member-specific benefits and eligibility via the member's Benefit Booklet, Evidence of Coverage, or Subscriber Agreement; coverage may vary by contract.

On This Page

OpenPayer

Rhinomanometry and Acoustic/Optical Rhinomanometry

Coverage Determination

Medical Necessity / Evidence Basis

Relevant Codes and Coverage Status

Actions for Providers

Background

Definitions

Revision History