Audiology CPT and HCPCS Code Changes for 2022
The following revisions, additions, and deletions to Current Procedural Terminology (CPT ® American Medical Association) and Healthcare Common Procedures Coding System (HCPCS) Level II codes related to audiology services became effective January 1, 2022. There were no major changes to HCPCS device codes for 2022. Audiologists can contact ASHA's health care policy team at reimbursement@asha.org for questions.
For current updates, see audiology CPT and HCPCS code changes for 2023.
On this page:
Deleted CPT Codes
The following four CPT codes were deleted effective January 1, 2022.
92559 Audiometric testing of groups
92560 Bekesy audiometry; screening
92561 Bekesy audiometry; diagnostic
92564 Short increment sensitivity index (SISI)
ASHA Notes
- These codes are being deleted because changes in technology and clinical practice have resulted in low utilization of these specific tests.
- To report group audiometric testing, Bekesy, or SISI, use CPT code 92700 (unlisted otorhinolaryngological service or procedure).
New Remote Monitoring CPT Codes
The following new CPT codes became effective January 1, 2022.
98975 Remote therapeutic monitoring (e.g., respiratory system status, musculoskeletal system status, therapy adherence, therapy response); initial set-up and patient education on use of equipment
98976 device(s) supply with scheduled (eg, daily) recording(s) and/or programmed alert(s) transmission to monitor respiratory system, each 30 days
98977 device(s) supply with scheduled (eg, daily) recording(s) and/or programmed alert(s) transmission to monitor musculoskeletal system, each 30 days
98980 Remote therapeutic monitoring treatment management services, physician/other qualified health care professional time in a calendar month requiring at least one interactive communication with the patient/caregiver during the calendar month; first 20 minutes
98981 each additional 20 minutes (listed separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
ASHA Notes
- The new codes allow clinicians to report remote monitoring of non-physiologic data and can be used to monitor a range of health conditions. The remote monitoring device or system may collect and transmit objective data and/or subjective data reported by the patient (e.g., responses to standardized questionnaires). The data collected should inform a patient's treatment plan during an episode of care.
- For example, an audiologist may use computer software, a mobile application, and/or a manufacturer portal to remotely monitor patient success with a hearing aid or implant. The system may allow the audiologist to track hearing aid or implant use, select automated tests to assess the patient's aided hearing, collect data on functional hearing ability, administer patient/caregiver questionnaires, provide some troubleshooting, or make some adjustments to device functionality to improve the patient's hearing ability in real-world situations.
- For RTM, an episode of care begins when remote monitoring of a specific condition or treatment goal is initiated and ends when the targeted data is collected and/or treatment goals are met.
- The three codes of interest to audiologists are 98975, 98980, 98981. 98976 and 98977 represent the cost of supplies for specific types of monitoring systems, however, they don't apply to audiology-related systems.
- Count cumulative time spent in data review and patient/caregiver interaction in a calendar month (not each 30 days). Report the base and add-on codes together on the claim, based on total time, at the end of each calendar month. The base code (98980) may only be reported once per calendar month.
- Time related to any other services, such as a full hearing evaluation, can't be counted towards RTM time.
- Don't report these codes if activities total less than 20 minutes in a calendar month.
- 98975: Use to report the initial time spent setting up and teaching the patient/caregiver how to use the device. Report this code once per episode of care, regardless of the amount of time spent. Monitoring devices/systems must be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Check directly with the manufacturer regarding FDA device status.
- 98980 and 98981: Use to report the first and each subsequent 20-minute increment of time spent reviewing and integrating the data collected during remote monitoring to inform treatment goals; monitor the patient’s progress and adherence to the treatment plan; and provide clinical feedback to the patient/caregiver.
- Remember to check each payer for policies related to same-day billing with other codes (National Correct Coding Initiative or CCI edits).
- ASHA's analysis of the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule concludes that audiologists may not bill these codes to Medicare due to the limitations of the audiology diagnostic benefit. For more information, see ASHA's summary analysis of the final rule.
- Non-Medicare payers may cover these codes when reported by audiologists. Check with individual payers directly.
