CPT code 92587: Otoacoustic emissions, limited frequency assessment2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
Reports a limited-frequency otoacoustic emissions assessment used to evaluate cochlear response when confirming or investigating suspected hearing disorder, often alongside audiologic testing.
Medicare pays $21.58–$23.04 for 92587 in the office in Illinois, from Rest of Illinois to 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 92587 covers
This test measures otoacoustic emissions, sounds generated by the inner ear in response to an acoustic stimulus delivered through a probe in the ear canal. An audiologist commonly performs it in an office or hospital audiology department as part of a hearing evaluation, including assessment of patients who cannot provide reliable behavioral responses. The limited evaluation samples 3 to 6 frequencies and supports assessment of cochlear function; it does not provide behavioral hearing thresholds.
Report 92587 for the limited-frequency evaluation, with documentation of the clinical reason, test method, frequencies assessed, findings, and interpretation. The code includes an interpretation and report. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for the interpretation, modifier TC for equipment and staff, or neither modifier for the global service. The code is priced as bilateral, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. A broader frequency evaluation is represented by 92588.
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 92587 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
$21.58 to $23.04
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $23.04 | Unavailable |
| East St. Louis, IL | $21.95 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Illinois | $21.58 | Unavailable |
| Suburban Chicago, IL | $22.90 | Unavailable |
How the 92587 rate is calculated
Each of 92587’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 · 92587
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.35
0.35 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.29
0.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.6600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$22.04
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 92587
The CMS indicators that decide how 92587 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 92587
Otoacoustic emissions, limited frequency assessment
| 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
92587 without 26 · national office
$22.04
Otoacoustic emissions, limited frequency assessment
92587-26 · Professional component
$18.37
Pays only the interpretation and report.
92587 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 92588Otoacoustic emissionsComprehensive evaluation
- 92587 represents the limited evaluation of 3 to 6 frequencies. Choose 92588 for a comprehensive or diagnostic evoked otoacoustic emissions evaluation.
- 92558OAE screeningAutomated analysis
- 92558 is for automated evoked otoacoustic emissions screening. 92587 is the limited assessment used to confirm or investigate a hearing disorder and includes interpretation and a report.
- 92557Comprehensive hearing testAir, bone, and speech testing
- 92557 is a comprehensive hearing test using audiometric procedures, not an otoacoustic emissions assessment. Report 92587 only when the separate emissions service is also performed.
92587 billing questions
How do I choose between 92587 and 92588?
Use 92587 for the limited evaluation of 3 to 6 frequencies. Use 92588 when the service is a comprehensive or diagnostic evaluation rather than the limited assessment.
Is this code reported for one ear or both?
CMS prices 92587 as bilateral. Modifier 50 does not increase payment.
When should modifier 26 or TC be used?
Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation and modifier TC for the technical service, including equipment and staff. Report the code without either modifier for the global service.
Does the code include interpretation and a report?
Yes. The limited evoked otoacoustic emissions service includes interpretation and a report; documentation should support the test performed and its findings.
Can 92587 be reported with a comprehensive hearing test?
It may be reported with 92557 when both the limited otoacoustic emissions assessment and the comprehensive hearing test are performed and documented as distinct services.
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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