CPT code 92557: Comprehensive hearing test, air, bone, and speech testing2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina

Diagnostic hearing evaluation combining air and bone conduction thresholds with speech reception and word recognition testing, reported as one bilateral service.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality1.3M Medicare services in 2024

In South Carolina, Medicare pays $34.52 for 92557 in the office and $25.26 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$34.52Office (non-facility)
$25.26Hospital or facility
−3.4%vs the national office rate ($35.74)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 92557 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 92557 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in South Carolina
  2. What 92557 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 92557 covers

This diagnostic audiogram measures pure tone air and bone conduction thresholds across test frequencies, with masking when needed. It also measures a speech reception threshold and word recognition at levels above that threshold. Audiologists typically perform the testing in a sound booth at an ENT practice, hospital outpatient audiology department, or audiology clinic. Common indications include suspected hearing loss, tinnitus, asymmetric hearing loss, sudden hearing loss, and monitoring for ototoxic effects.

Report one unit when the pure tone and complete speech portions are performed for both ears. The record should show the air and bone thresholds, speech reception thresholds, word recognition scores, any masking used, and interpretation. Do not separately report 92553 or 92556 for testing included in 92557. CMS identifies this as a therapy service for which the professional component modifier does not apply, so modifier 26 is not used to bill an interpretation alone. CMS prices the service as bilateral; modifier 50 does not increase payment. If testing is limited to one ear, report the reduced service with modifier 52.

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 South Carolina compares for 92557

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 92557 runs from $33.41 in Arkansas to $46.61 in Alaska. South Carolina pays $34.52. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

92557 in South Carolina vs other payment areas
  1. South Carolina · this page$34.52
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$39.26+$4.74
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$39.59+$5.07
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$36.88+$2.36
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$36.39+$1.87
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$39.71+$5.19
  7. Alaska · Alaska$46.61+$12.09

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

Every other payment area

92557 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$33.67$24.91
ArkansasArkansas$33.41$24.80
ArizonaArizona$35.21$25.50
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$37.46$26.48
Chico, CACalifornia$37.40$26.42
El Centro, CACalifornia$37.40$26.42
Fresno, CACalifornia$37.40$26.42
Hanford, CACalifornia$37.40$26.42

92557 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.

$33.41

$46.61

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

View every state and territory as a table
92557 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$46.611
AL$33.671
AR$33.411
AZ$35.211
CA$37.40–$44.5829
CO$36.891
CT$37.391
DC$39.591
DE$35.621
FL$35.23–$36.883
GA$34.14–$36.112
GU$37.701
HI$37.701
IA$34.231
ID$34.331
IL$34.59–$36.554
IN$34.451
KS$34.101
KY$34.011
LA$33.96–$34.882
MA$36.81–$39.502
MD$36.10–$39.593
ME$34.38–$35.482
MI$34.45–$35.432
MN$35.951
MO$33.61–$35.003
MS$33.521
MT$35.741
NC$34.591
ND$35.541
NE$34.351
NH$36.331
NJ$37.99–$39.482
NM$34.531
NV$35.701
NY$34.87–$40.215
OH$34.401
OK$34.021
OR$35.58–$37.682
PA$34.46–$36.792
PR$35.901
RI$36.591
SC$34.521
SD$35.521
TN$34.191
TX$34.33–$36.638
UT$34.781
VA$35.38–$39.592
VI$35.901
VT$35.421
WA$36.73–$40.172
WI$34.861
WV$33.871
WY$35.651

See 92557 in every payment locality

How the 92557 rate is calculated

Each of 92557’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 · 92557

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.60

0.60 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.46

0.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.01

0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.0700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$35.74

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

The exact South Carolina inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,834

Code
92557
Physician work
0.60
Practice expense
0.46
Malpractice
0.01

GPCI2026.csv

93

Locality
South Carolina
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.924
Malpractice
0.850
Office calculation for 92557 in South Carolina
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.60× 1.0000.6000
Practice expense0.46× 0.9240.4250
Malpractice0.01× 0.8500.0085
Total RVUs1.0335
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, South Carolina$34.52

Office: (0.6 × 1 + 0.46 × 0.924 + 0.01 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $34.52

Facility: (0.6 × 1 + 0.16 × 0.924 + 0.01 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $25.26

Open 92557 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 92557

The CMS indicators that decide how 92557 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 92557

Comprehensive hearing test, air, bone, and speech testing

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/technical7Therapy service: the split doesn’t apply.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier CQ · payment effect

With and without the modifier

92557 without CQ · national office

$35.74

Comprehensive hearing test, air, bone, and speech testing

92557-CQ · Allowed amount unchanged

$35.74

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 92557 has changed in South Carolina

92557 · Office / nonfacility

$34.52

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.70 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $33.82 to $34.52 (2.1%).

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

    $33.82changed to$34.52

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 0.47 changed to 0.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.01
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.924
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $34.80changed to$33.82

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $34.23changed to$34.80

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $35.61changed to$34.23

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.48 changed to 0.47
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $36.41changed to$35.61

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.47 changed to 0.48
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.02
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.908
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $37.03changed to$36.41

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 0.48 changed to 0.47

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $37.06changed to$37.03

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.45 changed to 0.48
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.04
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.903
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $37.01changed to$37.06

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $36.64changed to$37.01

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.44 changed to 0.45

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $36.62changed to$36.64

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.634 changed to 0.553

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $36.29changed to$36.62

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.43 changed to 0.44
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.715 changed to 0.634

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $36.17changed to$36.29

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.03

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $35.99changed to$36.17

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $36.19changed to$35.99

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.02
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.911 changed to 0.912
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.715

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $35.48changed to$36.19

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.47 changed to 0.43
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.909 changed to 0.911
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.520 changed to 0.618

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $35.48

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$34.52$25.26RVU26D
2026-07-01$34.52$25.26RVU26C
2026-04-01$34.52$25.26RVU26B
2026-01-01$34.52$25.26RVU26A
2025-10-01$33.82$29.68RVU25D
2025-07-01$33.82$29.68RVU25C
2025-04-01$33.82$29.68RVU25B
2025-01-01$33.82$29.68RVU25A
2024-10-01$34.80$30.24RVU24D
2024-07-01$34.80$30.24RVU24C
2024-04-01$34.80$30.24RVU24B
2024-03-09$34.80$30.24RVU24AR
2024-01-01$34.23$29.75RVU24A
2023-10-01$35.61$30.69RVU23D
2023-07-01$35.61$30.69RVU23C
2023-04-01$35.61$30.69RVU23B
2023-01-01$35.61$30.69RVU23A
2022-10-01$36.41$31.41RVU22D
2022-07-01$36.41$31.41RVU22C
2022-04-01$36.41$31.41RVU22B
2022-01-01$36.41$31.41RVU22A
2021-10-01$37.03$31.67RVU21D
2021-07-01$37.03$31.67RVU21C
2021-04-01$37.03$31.67RVU21B
2021-01-01$37.03$31.67RVU21A
2020-10-01$37.06$32.15RVU20D
2020-07-01$37.06$32.15RVU20C
2020-04-01$37.06$32.15RVU20B
2020-01-01$37.06$32.15RVU20A
2019-10-01$37.01$32.08RVU19D
2019-07-01$37.01$32.08RVU19C
2019-04-01$37.01$32.08RVU19B
2019-01-01$37.01$32.08RVU19A
2018-10-01$36.64$32.05RVU18D
2018-07-01$36.64$32.05RVU18C
2018-04-01$36.64$32.05RVU18B
2018-01-01$36.64$32.05RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$36.62$32.03RVU17D
2017-07-01$36.62$32.03RVU17C
2017-04-01$36.62$32.03RVU17B
2017-01-01$36.62$32.03RVU17A
2016-10-01$36.29$32.05RVU16D
2016-07-01$36.29$32.05RVU16C
2016-04-01$36.29$32.05RVU16B
2016-01-01$36.29$32.05RVU16A
2015-10-01$36.17$31.58RVU15D
2015-07-01$36.17$31.58RVU15C
2015-04-01$35.99$31.42RVU15B
2015-01-01$35.99$31.42RVU15A
2014-10-01$36.19$31.62RVU14D
2014-07-01$36.19$31.62RVU14C
2014-04-01$36.19$31.62RVU14B
2014-01-01$36.19$31.62RVU14A
2013-10-01$35.48$30.53RVU13D
2013-07-01$35.48$30.53RVU13C
2013-04-01$35.48$30.53RVU13B
2013-01-01$35.48$30.53RVU13AR

Price 92557 for an earlier date of service

Where the South Carolina rate applies

South Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 475 cities and communities in South Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Abbeville
  • Abney Crossroads
  • Adams Run
  • Aiken
  • Alcolu
  • Allendale
  • Anderson
  • Andrews

Browse all communities in South Carolina

92557 billing questions

Can 92553 or 92556 be billed with 92557 for the same testing?

No. 92557 combines air and bone pure tone audiometry with complete speech audiometry. Reporting either component code for those same tests would duplicate the service.

Should modifier 50 or RT/LT be added when both ears are tested?

No. One unit of 92557 represents bilateral testing, and CMS states that modifier 50 does not increase payment.

What if only one ear could be tested?

Append modifier 52 to indicate that the bilateral service was reduced to testing one ear. Document which ear was tested and why the other ear was not.

Is tympanometry included?

No. Tympanometry is separate; depending on the immittance measures performed, 92550, 92567, or 92570 may be reported at the same visit.

Can modifier 26 be used when a physician interprets an audiogram performed elsewhere?

No. CMS identifies 92557 as a therapy service for which the professional component modifier does not apply; an interpretation alone is not billed as 92557-26.

What if speech testing is not completed?

If only air and bone thresholds are obtained, report 92553 instead. Complete speech audiometry, including speech reception threshold and word recognition, is needed for 92557.

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 92557PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,834 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for South CarolinaGPCI2026.csv, line 93 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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