CPT for ENT: Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP)

Q: What is the correct code to report for Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP) testing?

A:  Prior to 2021, VEMPs were commonly reported with the old ABR code, 92585.  This practice was discouraged by this resource and the recommendation was to report VEMPs with 92700, unlisted otorhinolaryngological service or procedure. 

As literature support and utilization of VEMPs increased and the need for granularity in reporting ABRs developed, our society worked with neurology and audiology societies to develop new codes for ABRs and VEMPs separately.

For VEMPS:

• 92517 Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing, with interpretation and report; cervical (cVEMP)
• 92518 ocular (oVEMP)
• 92519 cervical (cVEMP) and ocular (oVEMP)

For ABRs:

• 92650 Auditory evoked potentials; screening of auditory potential with broadband stimuli, automated analysis (This is intended for automated screening eg in newborns)
• 92651 for hearing status determination, broadband stimuli, with interpretation and report (this is a non-automated confirmatory test to determine if a hearing loss is present)
• 92652 for threshold estimation at multiple frequencies, with interpretation and report (This is a frequency-specific threshold test to allow fitting of amplification)
• 92653 neurodiagnostic, with interpretation and report (This is an auditory brainstem response test to evaluate waveforms)

Revised October 2023

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CPT FOR ENT ARTICLES ARE A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE ACADEMY’S TEAM OF CPT ADVISORS, MEMBERS OF THE PHYSICIAN PAYMENT POLICY (3P) WORKGROUP, AND HEALTH POLICY STAFF. ARTICLES ARE DEVELOPED TO ADDRESS COMMON CODING QUESTIONS RECEIVED BY THE HEALTH POLICY TEAM, AS WELL AS TO CLARIFY CODING CHANGES AND CORRECT CODING PRINCIPLES FOR FREQUENTLY REPORTED ENT PROCEDURES. THESE ARTICLES ARE NOT INTENDED AS LEGAL, MEDICAL, OR BUSINESS ADVICE AND ARE NOT A GUARANTEE OF REIMBURSEMENT. THE INFORMATION IS ALSO NOT MEANT TO SERVE AS THE DEFINITIVE OR SOLE AUTHORITY ON BILLING AND CODING ISSUES. THE APPLICABILITY OF AAO-HNS BILLING AND CODING GUIDANCE FOR A PARTICULAR PROCEDURE, MUST BE DETERMINED BY THE RESPONSIBLE PHYSICIAN IN LIGHT OF ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES PRESENTED BY THE INDIVIDUAL PATIENT. YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR OWN ADVISORS AS WELL AS MEDICARE OR PRIVATE CARRIERS IN MAKING ANY DECISIONS ABOUT HOW TO BILL AND CODE PARTICULAR SERVICES OR PROCEDURES.