Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: What CPT^® code should I report for the placement of  trachea voice prosthesis? I can’t decide if 92597 is appropriate.

Washington Subscriber

Answer: The 92597 (Evaluation for use and/or fitting of voice prosthetic device to supplement oral speech) code is an evaluative otorhinolaryngologic service, meaning that there is no therapeutic or surgical component involved. You would report 92597 when the provider performs an evaluation and assessment of the patient’s potential need for a tracheal voice prosthesis.

For the surgical placement of a tracheal voice prosthesis, you want to look no further than 31611 (Construction of tracheoesophageal fistula and subsequent insertion of an alaryngeal speech prosthesis (eg, voice button, Blom-Singer prosthesis)). As the description entails, this procedure involves the construction of a fistula between the trachea and esophagus. The surgeon then inserts a speech prosthesis into the passage created.