You Be the Coder:
Mind Your PC/TC Components When Using Audio Tech
Published on Tue Apr 19, 2011
Question: When can we bill an audio technician's service for Medicare? Washington, D.C. Subscriber Answer: You may use audio techs when there is no professional thought process: only codes that have PC (Professional component) or TC (Technical component) associated with them. Remember, a technician can only perform the TC under direct supervision of the physician. For instance, in 92540-92548 (Vestibular Function Tests, With Recording [e.g., ENG]), the audio tech can do the TC part (meaning the doctor, NPP or audiologist does the PC). Most payers consider these tests' TC to not requiring a doctor's, NPP's or audiologist's skill. Other services in which an audio tech can perform the technical part include: 92585 -- Auditory evoked potentials for evoked response audiometry and/or testing of the central nervous system; comprehensive; 92587 -- Evoked otoacoustic emissions; limited (single stimulus level, either transient or distortion products); 92588 -- Evoked otoacoustic emissions; comprehensive or diagnostic [...]