CPT Codes for Batteries

Question

Answer

There is no appropriate CPT code for hearing aid and/or cochlear implant batteries. Instead, the most appropriate code for hearing aid batteries is the HCPCS code V5266 (Battery for use in hearing aid). Given that this code is singular, you would have to indicate the number of batteries (units) provided.

There are also HCPCS codes specific to cochlear implant. They are L8621 (Zinc air battery for use with cochlear implant device, replacement, each), L8622 (Alkaline battery for use with cochlear implant device, any size, replacement, each), L8623 (Lithium ion battery for use with cochlear implant device speech processor, other than ear level, replacement, each) or L8624 (Lithium ion battery for use with cochlear implant device speech processor, ear level, replacement, each). Again, these indicate singular batteries so you will have to indicate the number of batteries (units) provided.

Kim Cavitt, AuD, spent nine years as a clinical audiologist and preceptor at both The Ohio State University and Northwestern University and spent two years as the Director of Professional Relations at HearPO. Throughout her career, Dr. Cavitt has been actively involved in issues related to all aspects of Audiology practice operations and management, billing, coding, third-party reimbursement and managed care issues. She has written articles and given numerous presentations at both the State and National level on these topics. For the past nine years, Dr. Cavitt has operated her own Audiology consulting firm, Audiology Resources, Inc. Audiology Resources, Inc. provides comprehensive operational and reimbursement consulting services to hearing healthcare clinics, providers, organizations, buying groups, and manufacturers who want to be better equipped to compete in the managed care and healthcare arenas. She also currently serves as the Co-VP of Governmental Affairs for the Illinois Academy of Audiology and is an Adjunct Lecturer at Northwestern University.