CPT code 92553: Audiometry, air and bone thresholds2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area
Reports pure-tone hearing threshold testing by air and bone conduction when both measures are performed to evaluate hearing sensitivity and loss type.
In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $57.82 for 92553 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 92553 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 92553 covers
This test measures the softest tones a patient can hear at selected frequencies using air-conduction and bone-conduction methods. Comparing the results helps characterize hearing sensitivity and distinguish a conductive component from sensorineural loss. Audiologists commonly perform the testing in an audiology clinic, ENT practice, or other setting equipped for diagnostic hearing assessment. The resulting thresholds are recorded on an audiogram for the ordering or treating clinician to use in evaluating hearing concerns.
Report 92553 when both air- and bone-conduction pure-tone thresholds are obtained. The record should support the medical reason for testing and include the test results for each ear. CMS classifies this as a technical-component-only code; a separate code represents interpretation when that service is performed. The code is priced as bilateral, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. Speech testing and middle-ear measures are distinct services and should be reported separately only when performed and supported by the record.
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 Washington, DC area compares for 92553
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 92553 runs from $42.06 in Arkansas to $70.50 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $57.82. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Washington, DC area · this page$57.82
- Los Angeles, CA · California$57.91+$0.09
- Miami, FL · Florida$51.61−$6.21
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$49.78−$8.04
- Manhattan, NY · New York$57.20−$0.62
- Alaska · Alaska$52.12−$5.70
- Alabama · Alabama$42.86−$14.96
Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $42.06 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $47.54 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $53.65 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $53.63 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $53.63 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $53.63 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $53.63 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $53.63 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $53.63 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $53.63 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $64.44 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $57.85 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $53.63 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $53.63 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $53.73 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $56.89 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $56.70 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $58.50 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $68.91 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $68.90 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $70.50 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $70.45 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $55.72 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $59.43 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $57.04 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $60.06 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $53.63 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $64.43 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $53.63 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $53.63 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $52.15 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $52.92 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $48.48 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $50.00 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $47.12 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $49.95 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $43.90 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $55.64 | — |
| IowaIowa | $44.75 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $45.02 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $45.54 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $45.04 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $50.67 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $45.37 | — |
| KansasKansas | $44.25 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $43.66 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $46.27 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $43.48 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $58.52 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $51.62 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $52.74 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $49.66 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $45.07 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $48.54 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $47.62 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $44.90 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $50.28 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $46.12 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $46.76 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $42.36 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $42.23 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $49.10 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $45.71 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $48.90 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $45.14 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $51.06 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $56.92 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $53.62 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $45.12 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $49.09 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $58.60 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $53.80 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $58.12 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $46.56 | — |
| OhioOhio | $44.86 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $43.81 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $54.43 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $48.81 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $51.16 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $45.08 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $49.63 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $50.67 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $45.34 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $48.88 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $44.51 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $51.89 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $44.69 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $48.59 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $48.86 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $48.37 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $48.70 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $48.88 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $46.58 | — |
| UtahUtah | $46.14 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $48.17 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $49.63 | — |
| VermontVermont | $48.45 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $51.60 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $60.11 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $46.82 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $42.86 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $49.01 | — |
92553 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.
$42.06
$62.07
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $52.12 | 1 |
| AL | $42.86 | 1 |
| AR | $42.06 | 1 |
| AZ | $47.54 | 1 |
| CA | $53.63–$70.50 | 29 |
| CO | $52.15 | 1 |
| CT | $52.92 | 1 |
| DC | $57.82 | 1 |
| DE | $48.48 | 1 |
| FL | $47.12–$51.61 | 3 |
| GA | $43.90–$49.95 | 2 |
| GU | $55.64 | 1 |
| HI | $55.64 | 1 |
| IA | $44.75 | 1 |
| ID | $45.02 | 1 |
| IL | $45.04–$50.67 | 4 |
| IN | $45.37 | 1 |
| KS | $44.25 | 1 |
| KY | $43.66 | 1 |
| LA | $43.48–$46.27 | 2 |
| MA | $51.62–$58.52 | 2 |
| MD | $49.66–$57.82 | 3 |
| ME | $45.07–$48.54 | 2 |
| MI | $44.90–$47.62 | 2 |
| MN | $50.28 | 1 |
| MO | $42.36–$46.76 | 3 |
| MS | $42.23 | 1 |
| MT | $49.10 | 1 |
| NC | $45.71 | 1 |
| ND | $48.90 | 1 |
| NE | $45.14 | 1 |
| NH | $51.06 | 1 |
| NJ | $53.62–$56.92 | 2 |
| NM | $45.12 | 1 |
| NV | $49.09 | 1 |
| NY | $46.56–$58.60 | 5 |
| OH | $44.86 | 1 |
| OK | $43.81 | 1 |
| OR | $48.81–$54.43 | 2 |
| PA | $45.08–$51.16 | 2 |
| PR | $49.63 | 1 |
| RI | $50.67 | 1 |
| SC | $45.34 | 1 |
| SD | $48.88 | 1 |
| TN | $44.51 | 1 |
| TX | $44.69–$51.89 | 8 |
| UT | $46.14 | 1 |
| VA | $48.17–$57.82 | 2 |
| VI | $49.63 | 1 |
| VT | $48.45 | 1 |
| WA | $51.60–$60.11 | 2 |
| WI | $46.82 | 1 |
| WV | $42.86 | 1 |
| WY | $49.01 | 1 |
How the 92553 rate is calculated
Each of 92553’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 · 92553
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.00
0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.46
1.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.01
0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
1.4700
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$49.10
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
11,831
- Code
- 92553
- Physician work
- 0.00
- Practice expense
- 1.46
- Malpractice
- 0.01
GPCI2026.csv
39
- Locality
- Washington, DC area
- Physician work
- 1.054
- Practice expense
- 1.178
- Malpractice
- 1.113
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.00 | × 1.054 | 0.0000 |
| Practice expense | 1.46 | × 1.178 | 1.7199 |
| Malpractice | 0.01 | × 1.113 | 0.0111 |
| Total RVUs | 1.7310 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Washington, DC area$57.82
Office: (0 × 1.054 + 1.46 × 1.178 + 0.01 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $57.82
Payment rules and modifiers for 92553
The CMS indicators that decide how 92553 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 92553
Audiometry, air and bone thresholds
| 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 | 3 | Technical component only. |
How 92553 has changed in Washington, DC area
92553 · Office / nonfacility
$57.82
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $1.92 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $55.90 to $57.82 (3.4%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$55.90changed to$57.82
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense RVU 1.44 changed to 1.46
- Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
- Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
- Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$54.75changed to$55.90
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.37 changed to 1.44
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$53.86changed to$54.75
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$53.49changed to$53.86
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 1.29 changed to 1.37
- Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
- Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
- Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$51.35changed to$53.49
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.19 changed to 1.29
- Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
- Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
- Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$49.62changed to$51.35
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 1.14 changed to 1.19
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$47.61changed to$49.62
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 1.07 changed to 1.14
- Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
- Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
- Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$46.92changed to$47.61
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
- Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
- Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$46.87changed to$46.92
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$45.86changed to$46.87
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 1.05 changed to 1.07
- Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
- Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$45.33changed to$45.86
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 1.04 changed to 1.05
- Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
- Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$45.06changed to$45.33
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 1.03 changed to 1.04
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$44.83changed to$45.06
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$44.35changed to$44.83
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 1.02 changed to 1.03
- Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
- Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
- Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$46.85changed to$44.35
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 1.14 changed to 1.02
- Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
- Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
- Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $46.85
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $57.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $57.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $57.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $57.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $55.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $55.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $55.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $55.90 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $54.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $54.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $54.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $54.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $53.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $53.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $53.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $53.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $53.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $51.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $51.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $51.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $51.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $49.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $49.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $49.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $49.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $47.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $47.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $47.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $47.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $46.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $46.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $46.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $46.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $46.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $46.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $46.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $46.87 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $45.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $45.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $45.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $45.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $45.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $45.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $45.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $45.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $45.06 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $45.06 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $44.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $44.83 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $44.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $44.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $44.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $44.35 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $46.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $46.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $46.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $46.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Washington, DC area rate applies
Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Washington
92553 billing questions
When should 92553 be chosen instead of 92552?
Use 92553 when the test includes both air- and bone-conduction thresholds. 92552 covers pure-tone air-conduction testing alone.
Is 92553 the same as a comprehensive hearing test?
No. 92553 covers pure-tone air- and bone-conduction thresholds; 92557 is the comprehensive audiometry service that also includes speech audiometry.
Should modifier 50 be added for testing both ears?
No. CMS prices 92553 as bilateral, and modifier 50 does not increase payment.
Does 92553 include interpretation?
CMS classifies 92553 as technical-component-only. A separate code represents interpretation when that service is performed.
Can speech audiometry be reported with 92553?
Yes, when speech testing is separately performed and documented. 92555 covers speech-threshold testing, while 92556 covers speech audiometry with speech recognition testing.
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
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