Question
I have a question about code 92588, diagnostic OAE. How do you document cochlear mapping of OAEs and can you please elaborate on the OAE code?
Answer
One thing that is necessary to document is how many frequencies you did to qualify for 92588. The most important thing is to convey is that you have to perform 12, if not more than 12, frequencies to qualify to bill 92588.
One way to document would be if you performed distortion product emissions and obtained six points per octave from 500Hz through 10,000Hz. That describes the emission results. If I did it in conjunction with other procedures, I would say that pure-tone thresholds were obtained, speech-perception threshold was established, speech understanding scores were such and such, and then talk about the otoacoustic emissions. Always include how many points per octave you did and what the frequency range included.
Editor’s Note: This Ask the Expert was taken from the eSeminar Reimbursement: The 2012 Perspective published on 2/9/2012. To access the recorded course, please visit http://www.audiologyonline.com/ceus/recordedcoursedetails.asp?class_id=19955