CPT code 92523: Speech-language evaluation, speech plus language assessment2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alabama

A speech-language pathologist evaluates speech sound production together with receptive and expressive language to characterize combined communication concerns.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality42.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Alabama, Medicare pays $214.08 for 92523 in the office.

$214.08Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
−5.5%vs the national office rate ($226.46)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 92523 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 92523 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Alabama
  2. What 92523 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 92523 covers

A speech-language pathologist uses this evaluation when both speech sound production and language skills need assessment. For example, a child may have articulation concerns along with difficulty understanding or using language; an adult after a stroke may have speech production and language deficits. The clinician assesses relevant speech sounds and language comprehension and expression, then documents findings and recommendations in an outpatient rehabilitation clinic or hospital setting.

Report 92523 when the evaluation covers both speech sound production and receptive and expressive language. If the assessment addresses speech sound production alone, 92522 is the closer choice; do not separately report that service for the speech-production portion of the same combined evaluation. Documentation should identify the communication concerns assessed, the findings in both domains, and the resulting recommendations or plan. This is a therapy service, so modifier 26 does not apply. When multiple therapy services are furnished on the same day, CMS reduces practice expense for the second and later therapy units.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

How Alabama compares for 92523

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 92523 runs from $212.50 in Arkansas to $296.80 in Alaska. Alabama pays $214.08. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

92523 in Alabama vs other payment areas
  1. Alabama · this page$214.08
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$249.51+$35.43
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$250.84+$36.76
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$230.98+$16.90
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$228.28+$14.20
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$250.72+$36.64
  7. Alaska · Alaska$296.80+$82.72

Other areas in Alabama first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

92523 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$212.50—
ArizonaArizona$223.38—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$238.16—
Chico, CACalifornia$237.88—
El Centro, CACalifornia$237.88—
Fresno, CACalifornia$237.88—
Hanford, CACalifornia$237.88—
Madera, CACalifornia$237.88—

92523 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$212.50

$296.80

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
92523 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$296.801
AL$214.081
AR$212.501
AZ$223.381
CA$237.88–$283.6729
CO$234.191
CT$236.631
DC$250.841
DE$225.891
FL$222.32–$230.983
GA$215.95–$228.482
GU$239.721
HI$239.721
IA$217.941
ID$218.451
IL$218.13–$230.264
IN$219.141
KS$216.901
KY$215.571
LA$215.19–$220.732
MA$233.63–$250.672
MD$228.89–$250.843
ME$218.50–$225.452
MI$217.99–$223.262
MN$229.061
MO$212.94–$221.763
MS$212.771
MT$226.461
NC$219.781
ND$226.261
NE$218.711
NH$230.431
NJ$240.62–$250.222
NM$218.401
NV$226.501
NY$221.47–$253.455
OH$217.951
OK$215.911
OR$225.97–$239.292
PA$218.41–$232.842
PR$227.531
RI$232.091
SC$218.971
SD$226.241
TN$217.401
TX$217.63–$232.358
UT$220.551
VA$224.70–$250.842
VI$227.531
VT$225.311
WA$233.23–$255.032
WI$222.121
WV$213.781
WY$226.371

See 92523 in every payment locality

How the 92523 rate is calculated

Each of 92523’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

How the rate is built · 92523

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.84

3.84 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.93

2.93 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.01

0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

6.7800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$226.46

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Alabama inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,790

Code
92523
Physician work
3.84
Practice expense
2.93
Malpractice
0.01

GPCI2026.csv

4

Locality
Alabama
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.875
Malpractice
0.566
Office calculation for 92523 in Alabama
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.84× 1.0003.8400
Practice expense2.93× 0.8752.5638
Malpractice0.01× 0.5660.0057
Total RVUs6.4094
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Alabama$214.08

Office: (3.84 × 1 + 2.93 × 0.875 + 0.01 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $214.08

Open 92523 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 92523

The CMS indicators that decide how 92523 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 92523

Speech-language evaluation, speech plus language assessment

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures5Therapy reduction: practice expense of the second and later units is reduced.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical7Therapy service: the split doesn’t apply.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier CQ · payment effect

With and without the modifier

92523 without CQ · national office

$226.46

Speech-language evaluation, speech plus language assessment

92523-CQ · Allowed amount unchanged

$226.46

Medicare cuts its own payment by 15% after the patient’s 20% coinsurance; the allowed amount stays the same. On $100 allowed: $20 coinsurance, then Medicare pays $68 instead of $80.

How 92523 has changed in Alabama

92523 · Office / nonfacility

$214.08

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.53 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $209.55 to $214.08 (2.2%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release
  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $209.55changed to$214.08

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 2.97 changed to 2.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.01
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.875
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.575 changed to 0.566

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $213.63changed to$209.55

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.90 changed to 2.97

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $210.14changed to$213.63

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $217.46changed to$210.14

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.85 changed to 2.90
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $220.61changed to$217.46

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.73 changed to 2.85
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.10
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.888 changed to 0.878
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.748

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $224.02changed to$220.61

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.75 changed to 2.73
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $187.76changed to$224.02

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Work RVU 3.00 changed to 3.84
    • Practice expense RVU 2.39 changed to 2.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.15
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.889 changed to 0.888
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.707 changed to 0.921

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $188.01changed to$187.76

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.43 changed to 2.39
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.890 changed to 0.889
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.707

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $189.73changed to$188.01

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.49 changed to 2.43

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. April 1, 2018

    RVU18B

    No ratechanged to$189.73

    Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged toNo rate

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.

  12. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$214.08Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$214.08Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$214.08Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$214.08Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$209.55Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$209.55Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$209.55Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$209.55Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$213.63Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$213.63Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$213.63Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$213.63Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$210.14Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$217.46Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$217.46Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$217.46Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$217.46Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$220.61Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$220.61Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$220.61Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$220.61Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$224.02Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$224.02Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$224.02Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$224.02Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$187.76Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$187.76Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$187.76Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$187.76Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$188.01Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$188.01Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$188.01Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$188.01Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$189.73Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$189.73Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$189.73Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13D
2013-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13C
2013-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13B
2013-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13AR

Price 92523 for an earlier date of service

Where the Alabama rate applies

Alabama is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 595 cities and communities in Alabama. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abanda
  • Abbeville
  • Adamsville
  • Addison
  • Akron
  • Alabaster
  • Albertville
  • Alexander City

Browse all communities in Alabama

92523 billing questions

When should 92523 be chosen instead of 92522?

Use 92523 when the evaluation includes speech sound production and receptive and expressive language. Use 92522 when the assessment is limited to speech sound production.

Can 92522 also be reported for the speech portion of the same evaluation?

Do not separately report 92522 for the speech-production portion included in the combined 92523 evaluation.

Does modifier 26 apply?

No. CMS identifies 92523 as a therapy service for which the professional component modifier does not apply.

Does CMS reduce payment when other therapy services are billed the same day?

Yes. CMS reduces practice expense for the second and later therapy units furnished on the same day.

How does 92523 differ from a fluency evaluation?

92523 assesses speech sound production and language comprehension and expression. Use 92521 when the evaluation is focused on speech fluency.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 92523PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,790 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for AlabamaGPCI2026.csv, line 4 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 92523 pays in Alabama?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 92523 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist