Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: I received a denial for 92589 with service date of Jan. 5. Should I appeal the decision?

California Subscriber
 
Answer: The payer probably denied your claim because 92589 (Central auditory function test[s] [specify]) is not a valid code on that service date. CPT 2005 deleted the code. You should now use two time-specific codes that replace 92589. Choose the appropriate code(s) based on the session's length.
    
When an otolaryngologist or audiologist spends 60 (30-67) minutes evaluating a patient's central auditory function, you should assign 92620 (Evaluation of central auditory function, with report; initial 60 minutes). For each additional 15 minutes (starting with minute 67 1/2) he spends on the evaluation, you should report 92621     (... each additional 15 minutes).
 
Warning: You should never file 92621 alone. Always report 92620 as the base code. Then, when appropriate, use 92621 as an add-on code.