Question
I have a question about billing for an ABR. I currently use multiple stimuli (clicks and frequency specific tone bursts) and perform threshold testing in each ear when I evaluate infants. I know that 92585 is the code for ABR but how should I use it when I am testing threshold at multiple frequencies?
Answer
You are correct that 92585 is the code for ABR. It is actually the only code, although we are working on obtaining a new code for ASSR, but this will take a while as it does not meet all the criteria yet for the AMA granting a new code.
At our most recent review of this code in March 2004, we tried to get approval from the AMA for increased evaluation times to account for the additional testing that you describe. The AMA would approve some additional time (approximately 15 minutes), but they would not approve a lot of extra time such as what was needed for an ABR, an MLR and an ASSR or combinations thereof. The AMA was interested in the "typical patient", which ended up being for kids a single threshold search in each ear and for adults a diagnostic ABR and an MLR.
Robert C. Fifer, Ph.D. is currently the Director of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology at the Mailman Center for Child Development, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami School of Medicine. Dr. Fifer is the President of the Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, a member of ASHA's Health Care Economics Committee, and the ASHA representative to the American Medical Association's Health Care Professions Advisory Committee for the Relative Value Utilization Committee in addition to being ASHA's representative to the AMA's Practice Expense Advisory Committee.
Robert C. Fifer, PhD
Director of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology at the Mailman Center for Child Development at the University of Miami
Robert C. Fifer, Ph.D. is Director of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology at the Mailman Center for Child Development at the University of Miami. Dr. Fifer represents ASHA on the AQC.
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