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CPT code 92556: Speech audiometry, with speech recognition2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports speech audiometry that measures a patient's speech threshold and speech recognition as part of a diagnostic hearing assessment.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality54.9K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $54.67 for 92556 in the office.

$54.67Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+17.7%vs the national office rate ($46.43)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 92556 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 92556 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 92556 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 92556 covers

An audiologist typically presents speech stimuli to assess the level at which a patient can detect or repeat speech and how well the patient recognizes it. The testing helps characterize hearing difficulty and is commonly performed in an outpatient audiology clinic or an ear, nose, and throat practice. Unlike a speech-threshold-only test, this service includes speech recognition testing as well as threshold assessment.

Report 92556 for the speech portion when both threshold and recognition testing are performed; document the results and the testing performed. It represents the technical testing service, while interpretation is covered by a separate code. The CMS payment basis treats the service as bilateral, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. When a comprehensive hearing assessment is performed, distinguish this speech testing from the broader combination of pure-tone and speech testing represented by 92557.

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 92556

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 92556 runs from $39.77 in Arkansas to $66.65 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $54.67. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

92556 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$54.67
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$54.75+$0.08
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$48.83−$5.84
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$47.09−$7.58
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$54.09−$0.58
  6. Alaska · Alaska$49.27−$5.40
  7. Alabama · Alabama$40.52−$14.15

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

92556 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$39.77—
ArizonaArizona$44.95—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$50.72—
Chico, CACalifornia$50.70—
El Centro, CACalifornia$50.70—
Fresno, CACalifornia$50.70—
Hanford, CACalifornia$50.70—
Madera, CACalifornia$50.70—

92556 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$39.77

$58.68

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

View every state and territory as a table
92556 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$49.271
AL$40.521
AR$39.771
AZ$44.951
CA$50.70–$66.6529
CO$49.301
CT$50.051
DC$54.671
DE$45.841
FL$44.57–$48.833
GA$41.51–$47.232
GU$52.601
HI$52.601
IA$42.311
ID$42.561
IL$42.61–$47.934
IN$42.891
KS$41.841
KY$41.281
LA$41.11–$43.752
MA$48.80–$55.332
MD$46.95–$54.673
ME$42.61–$45.892
MI$42.46–$45.042
MN$47.531
MO$40.06–$44.223
MS$39.931
MT$46.431
NC$43.221
ND$46.231
NE$42.671
NH$48.281
NJ$50.70–$53.822
NM$42.671
NV$46.421
NY$44.02–$55.435
OH$42.421
OK$41.421
OR$46.14–$51.462
PA$42.63–$48.382
PR$46.931
RI$47.911
SC$42.871
SD$46.211
TN$42.081
TX$42.26–$49.068
UT$43.631
VA$45.55–$54.672
VI$46.931
VT$45.801
WA$48.79–$56.832
WI$44.261
WV$40.531
WY$46.341

See 92556 in every payment locality

How the 92556 rate is calculated

Each of 92556’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 · 92556

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.00

0.00 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.38

1.38 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.01

0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.3900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$46.43

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

11,833

Code
92556
Physician work
0.00
Practice expense
1.38
Malpractice
0.01

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 92556 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.00× 1.0540.0000
Practice expense1.38× 1.1781.6256
Malpractice0.01× 1.1130.0111
Total RVUs1.6368
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$54.67

Office: (0 × 1.054 + 1.38 × 1.178 + 0.01 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $54.67

Open 92556 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 92556

The CMS indicators that decide how 92556 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 92556

Speech audiometry, with speech recognition

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)2Already bilateral by definition: paid once at 100%.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical3Technical component only.

Codes related to 92556

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 92556
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
92555Speech audiometry, threshold onlySpeech-threshold testing without the speech-recognition component.$35.00
Used instead
92557Comprehensive hearing test, air, bone, and speech testingComprehensive audiometry combines pure-tone testing with speech audiometry.$39.59
92553Audiometry, air and bone thresholdsPure-tone testing by air and bone conduction, without the speech testing represented here.$57.82
92552Pure-tone audiometry, air conduction onlyPure-tone air-conduction testing rather than speech audiometry.$47.59
Often billed with
92567Tympanometry, middle ear pressure and mobilityTympanometry may be performed during the same diagnostic hearing assessment.$18.04

How 92556 has changed in Washington, DC area

92556 · Office / nonfacility

$54.67

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.31 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $54.36 to $54.67 (0.6%).

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

    $54.36changed to$54.67

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 1.40 changed to 1.38
    • 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.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $53.56changed to$54.36

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.34 changed to 1.40

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $52.68changed to$53.56

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $52.25changed to$52.68

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.26 changed to 1.34
    • 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

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $50.49changed to$52.25

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.17 changed to 1.26
    • 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.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $49.19changed to$50.49

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.13 changed to 1.17

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $47.17changed to$49.19

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.06 changed to 1.13
    • 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.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $46.49changed to$47.17

    • 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.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $46.87changed to$46.49

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.07 changed to 1.06

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $46.30changed to$46.87

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.06 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.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $45.33changed to$46.30

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.04 changed to 1.06
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $45.49changed to$45.33

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $45.27changed to$45.49

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $43.92changed to$45.27

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.01 changed to 1.04
    • 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.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $46.04changed to$43.92

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.12 changed to 1.01
    • 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.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $46.04

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$54.67Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$54.67Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$54.67Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$54.67Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$54.36Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$54.36Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$54.36Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$54.36Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$53.56Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$53.56Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$53.56Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$53.56Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$52.68Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$52.25Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$52.25Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$52.25Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$52.25Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$50.49Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$50.49Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$50.49Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$50.49Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$49.19Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$49.19Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$49.19Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$49.19Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$47.17Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$47.17Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$47.17Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$47.17Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$46.49Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$46.49Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$46.49Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$46.49Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$46.87Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$46.87Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$46.87Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$46.87Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$46.30Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$46.30Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$46.30Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$46.30Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$45.33Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$45.33Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$45.33Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$45.33Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$45.49Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$45.49Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$45.27Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$45.27Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$43.92Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$43.92Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$43.92Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$43.92Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$46.04Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$46.04Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$46.04Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$46.04Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 92556 for an earlier date of service

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

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

92556 billing questions

How does 92556 differ from 92555?

92556 includes speech recognition testing along with speech-threshold assessment. Use 92555 when the service is limited to speech-threshold testing.

Is interpretation included in 92556?

No. CMS classifies 92556 as a technical-component-only code; a separate code covers interpretation.

Should modifier 50 be appended when both ears are tested?

The code is already priced as bilateral. Modifier 50 does not increase its payment.

When should 92557 be used instead?

92557 represents comprehensive audiometry combining pure-tone testing with speech audiometry. Use 92556 for the speech testing when the broader comprehensive service is not performed.

What should the record support?

Document that speech-threshold and speech-recognition testing were performed and record the findings for each test.

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 92556PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,833 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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