You Be the Coder:
Selecting the Best Code for Multiple Nystagmus Tests
Published on Wed Sep 14, 2011
Question: Our neurologist wants to bill several nystagmus test codes for the same session but I'm wondering if some can't be billed together. He wants to submit each of these codes with modifier 26: 92540 9254192542 92543 x 49254492545What do you recommend?Vermont SubscriberAnswer: According to CPT® parenthetical notes, you cannot bill some of these codes together. Start with 92540 (Basic vestibular evaluation, includes spontaneous nystagmus test with eccentric gaze fixation nystagmus, with recording, positional nystagmus test, minimum of 4 positions, with recording, optokinetic nystagmus test, bidirectional foveal and peripheral stimulation, with recording, and oscillating tracking test, with recording). Once you report 92540, you cannot bill 92541 (Spontaneous nystagmus test, including gaze and fixation nystagmus, with recording), 92542 (Positional nystagmus test, minimum of 4 positions, with recording), 92544 (Optokinetic nystagmus test, bidirectional, foveal or peripheral stimulation, with recording), or 92545 (Oscillating tracking test, with recording). Additionally, current NCCI edits bundle codes [...]