Pediatric Coding Alert

Question: What is the correct way to code hearing screenings performed on newborns or infants? We’ve tried using 92551 but received denials. What code is correct?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: While 92551 (Screening test, pure tone, air only) identifies the presence or absence of a potential hearing problem, you should not report this code for a hearing screening on a newborn or infant. CPT^® Assistant (Volume 24: Issue 8) explains that “while this procedure may be used for persons of various ages, it is not appropriate to use this code to report hearing screenings performed on newborns and infants.”

Rather, you should report one of two codes depending on the type of screening test performed:

• 92558 (Evoked otoacoustic emissions, screening (qualitative measurement of distortion product or transient evoked otoacoustic emissions), automated analysis) – measures cochlear status (hair cell function) in response to pairs of tones at specific frequencies to analyze hearing deficiencies in babies and small children who are not able to cooperate with other tests.
• 92650 (Auditory evoked potentials; screening of auditory potential with broadband stimuli, automated analysis) – measures the patient’s response to auditory stimuli. The electrical responses, also known as auditory evoked potentials, are recorded and the results are generated through automated analysis.

These automated analyses give a pass-or-fail result. Patients who fail the screening may need to undergo additional testing to determine the degree and/or type of hearing loss.