CPT code 92537: Caloric test, with eye-movement recording2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
Reports bilateral caloric vestibular testing with recorded eye movements to assess vestibular function, commonly during evaluation of dizziness or imbalance.
Medicare pays $38.13–$40.58 for 92537 in the office in Illinois, from Rest of Illinois to Suburban Chicago, IL. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
What 92537 covers
This test stimulates the vestibular system by irrigating the ears with warm and cool water or air, then recording the resulting eye movements, including nystagmus. Audiologists and otolaryngology or neurotology clinicians commonly perform it in an audiology or vestibular testing laboratory when evaluating dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance. The recorded responses help assess vestibular function and compare responses to the different stimuli.
Choose this code when the caloric test is performed with recording; 92538 is the counterpart for testing without recording. Documentation should identify the test performed and support that eye movements were recorded, with findings and interpretation in the record. The code is priced as bilateral, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. Report modifier 26 for the professional interpretation or TC for the technical service; without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
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.
Where 92537 pays more and less in Illinois
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
4 payment localities
$38.13 to $40.58
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $40.51 | Unavailable |
| East St. Louis, IL | $38.57 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Illinois | $38.13 | Unavailable |
| Suburban Chicago, IL | $40.58 | Unavailable |
How the 92537 rate is calculated
Each of 92537’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 · 92537
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.59
0.59 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.57
0.57 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
1.1800
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$39.41
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 92537
The CMS indicators that decide how 92537 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 92537
Caloric test, with eye-movement recording
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 2 | Already bilateral by definition: paid once at 100%. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
92537 without 26 · national office
$39.41
Caloric test, with eye-movement recording
92537-26 · Professional component
$30.39
Pays only the interpretation and report.
92537 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 92538Caloric vestibular testUnilateral, with recording
- Use 92537 when eye movements are recorded during caloric testing; use 92538 when they are not.
- 92540Vestibular evaluationBasic test battery
- 92540 represents a basic vestibular evaluation with a group of other vestibular tests. 92537 specifically reports recorded caloric testing.
- 92546Rotational testSinusoidal chair rotation
- 92546 reports sinusoidal rotational vestibular testing. It is a different test method from caloric stimulation with recorded eye movements.
92537 billing questions
How does 92537 differ from 92538?
92537 is for caloric vestibular testing with eye-movement recording. Use 92538 when the test is performed without recording.
Should modifier 50 be added for both ears?
No. CMS prices 92537 as a bilateral service, and modifier 50 does not increase payment.
When should modifier 26 or TC be used?
Use 26 for the professional interpretation and TC for the technical service, including equipment and staff. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.
What documentation supports 92537?
Document that caloric testing was performed with eye-movement recording and include the findings and interpretation. The record should support that the service was the recorded test rather than testing without recording.
Can 92537 be reported with 92540?
The caloric test is distinct from the basic vestibular evaluation represented by 92540. Report both when each service was performed and documented.
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.
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