CPT 92610 reports a clinical (non-instrumental) evaluation of oral and pharyngeal swallowing function, performed by a speech-language pathologist.
When to use 92610
Use 92610 to evaluate swallowing clinically. Swallowing treatment is reported with 92526, and instrumental studies (e.g., modified barium swallow) use other codes.
How to bill it
Report once per evaluation, with a dysphagia diagnosis documented to support medical necessity.
Common pitfalls
- Confusing the swallowing evaluation (92610) with swallowing treatment (92526).
- Using it for an instrumental study instead of the appropriate imaging code.
Frequently asked questions
How does 92610 differ from 92526?
92610 is the clinical evaluation of swallowing; 92526 is the treatment of swallowing dysfunction.
Is 92610 instrumental?
No. 92610 is a non-instrumental clinical evaluation; instrumental swallowing studies use separate codes.