CPT code 92610: Swallow evaluation, clinical, noninstrumental assessment2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Houston, TX

A speech-language pathologist evaluates oral and pharyngeal swallowing clinically to identify swallowing problems and guide recommendations or further assessment.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality36.2K Medicare services in 2024

In Houston, TX, Medicare pays $85.02 for 92610 in the office and $58.16 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$85.02Office (non-facility)
$58.16Hospital or facility
+0.2%vs the national office rate ($84.84)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 92610 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 92610 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Houston, TX
  2. What 92610 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 92610 covers

A speech-language pathologist typically performs this clinical assessment in an outpatient therapy clinic, hospital, or other care setting. The evaluation may include relevant history, an oral mechanism examination, and observation of swallowing with food or liquids when appropriate. The clinician assesses oral preparation and transit, observed swallowing responses, and signs that may indicate impaired swallowing. Findings help guide recommendations and determine whether an instrumental study is needed.

Report 92610 for the clinical evaluation itself, not for imaging or endoscopic visualization. Documentation should describe the assessment performed, relevant findings, clinical interpretation, and resulting recommendations or plan. When fluoroscopy or endoscopy is performed, use the code that describes that instrumental service rather than treating it as part of the clinical evaluation. CMS classifies this as a therapy service, so a professional component modifier does not apply.

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 Houston, TX compares for 92610

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 92610 runs from $78.88 in Arkansas to $109.07 in Alaska. Houston, TX pays $85.02. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

92610 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$85.02
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$87.27+$2.25
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$81.12−$3.90
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$84.74−$0.28
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$85.02
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$84.61−$0.41
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$84.84−$0.18

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

Every other payment area

92610 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$82.71$57.04
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$94.02$62.02
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$94.53$62.66
Miami, FLFlorida$87.03$58.87
Chicago, ILIllinois$85.78$58.59
Manhattan, NYNew York$94.47$63.03
AlaskaAlaska$109.07$80.26
AlabamaAlabama$79.56$55.89

92610 rates by state

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

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Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$78.88

$109.07

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

View every state and territory as a table
92610 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$109.071
AL$79.561
AR$78.881
AZ$83.521
CA$89.37–$107.6229
CO$87.921
CT$88.941
DC$94.531
DE$84.531
FL$83.20–$87.033
GA$80.47–$85.692
GU$90.331
HI$90.331
IA$81.141
ID$81.381
IL$81.45–$86.514
IN$81.671
KS$80.731
KY$80.251
LA$80.10–$82.462
MA$87.64–$94.552
MD$85.74–$94.533
ME$81.43–$84.352
MI$81.31–$83.632
MN$85.791
MO$79.16–$82.873
MS$79.041
MT$84.841
NC$81.971
ND$84.641
NE$81.471
NH$86.481
NJ$90.39–$94.172
NM$81.501
NV$84.821
NY$82.68–$95.675
OH$81.271
OK$80.371
OR$84.57–$90.012
PA$81.45–$87.372
PR$85.291
RI$86.981
SC$81.671
SD$84.621
TN$80.951
TX$81.12–$87.278
UT$82.341
VA$84.04–$94.532
VI$85.291
VT$84.261
WA$87.50–$96.272
WI$82.881
WV$79.601
WY$84.751

See 92610 in every payment locality

How the 92610 rate is calculated

Each of 92610’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 · 92610

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.30

1.30 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.23

1.23 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.01

0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.5400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$84.84

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

The exact Houston, TX inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,868

Code
92610
Physician work
1.30
Practice expense
1.23
Malpractice
0.01

GPCI2026.csv

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 92610 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.30× 1.0081.3104
Practice expense1.23× 0.9931.2214
Malpractice0.01× 1.3760.0138
Total RVUs2.5455
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$85.02

Office: (1.3 × 1.008 + 1.23 × 0.993 + 0.01 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $85.02

Facility: (1.3 × 1.008 + 0.42 × 0.993 + 0.01 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $58.16

Open 92610 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 92610

The CMS indicators that decide how 92610 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 92610

Swallow evaluation, clinical, noninstrumental assessment

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
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

92610 without CQ · national office

$84.84

Swallow evaluation, clinical, noninstrumental assessment

92610-CQ · Allowed amount unchanged

$84.84

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 92610 has changed in Houston, TX

92610 · Office / nonfacility

$85.02

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.33 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $84.69 to $85.02 (0.4%).

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

    $84.69changed to$85.02

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 1.24 changed to 1.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.01
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.003 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.409 changed to 1.376

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $86.49changed to$84.69

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.22 changed to 1.24

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $85.08changed to$86.49

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $87.60changed to$85.08

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.19 changed to 1.22
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.003
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.409
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $89.56changed to$87.60

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.15 changed to 1.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.04
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.900 changed to 1.154

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $88.96changed to$89.56

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.13 changed to 1.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.07

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $90.98changed to$88.96

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.11 changed to 1.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.029
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.900

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $89.57changed to$90.98

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.09 changed to 1.11
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.936 changed to 0.918

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $88.74changed to$89.57

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.07 changed to 1.09

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $88.37changed to$88.74

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.936

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $87.30changed to$88.37

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.05 changed to 1.07
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.009
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.946

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $86.91changed to$87.30

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.04 changed to 1.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.06

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $86.48changed to$86.91

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $86.62changed to$86.48

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.03 changed to 1.04
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.05
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.006
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.939 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $78.19changed to$86.62

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.92 changed to 1.03
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.939

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $78.19

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$85.02$58.16RVU26D
2026-07-01$85.02$58.16RVU26C
2026-04-01$85.02$58.16RVU26B
2026-01-01$85.02$58.16RVU26A
2025-10-01$84.69$70.09RVU25D
2025-07-01$84.69$70.09RVU25C
2025-04-01$84.69$70.09RVU25B
2025-01-01$84.69$70.09RVU25A
2024-10-01$86.49$71.13RVU24D
2024-07-01$86.49$71.13RVU24C
2024-04-01$86.49$71.13RVU24B
2024-03-09$86.49$71.13RVU24AR
2024-01-01$85.08$69.97RVU24A
2023-10-01$87.60$72.11RVU23D
2023-07-01$87.60$72.11RVU23C
2023-04-01$87.60$72.11RVU23B
2023-01-01$87.60$72.11RVU23A
2022-10-01$89.56$73.18RVU22D
2022-07-01$89.56$73.18RVU22C
2022-04-01$89.56$73.18RVU22B
2022-01-01$89.56$73.18RVU22A
2021-10-01$88.96$72.80RVU21D
2021-07-01$88.96$72.80RVU21C
2021-04-01$88.96$72.80RVU21B
2021-01-01$88.96$72.80RVU21A
2020-10-01$90.98$76.26RVU20D
2020-07-01$90.98$76.26RVU20C
2020-04-01$90.98$76.26RVU20B
2020-01-01$90.98$76.26RVU20A
2019-10-01$89.57$75.34RVU19D
2019-07-01$89.57$75.34RVU19C
2019-04-01$89.57$75.34RVU19B
2019-01-01$89.57$75.34RVU19A
2018-10-01$88.74$75.26RVU18D
2018-07-01$88.74$75.26RVU18C
2018-04-01$88.74$75.26RVU18B
2018-01-01$88.74$75.26RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$88.37$75.34RVU17D
2017-07-01$88.37$75.34RVU17C
2017-04-01$88.37$75.34RVU17B
2017-01-01$88.37$75.34RVU17A
2016-10-01$87.30$74.69RVU16D
2016-07-01$87.30$74.69RVU16C
2016-04-01$87.30$74.69RVU16B
2016-01-01$87.30$74.69RVU16A
2015-10-01$86.91$74.62RVU15D
2015-07-01$86.91$74.62RVU15C
2015-04-01$86.48$74.25RVU15B
2015-01-01$86.48$74.25RVU15A
2014-10-01$86.62$74.39RVU14D
2014-07-01$86.62$74.39RVU14C
2014-04-01$86.62$74.39RVU14B
2014-01-01$86.62$74.39RVU14A
2013-10-01$78.19$67.28RVU13D
2013-07-01$78.19$67.28RVU13C
2013-04-01$78.19$67.28RVU13B
2013-01-01$78.19$67.28RVU13AR

Price 92610 for an earlier date of service

Where the Houston, TX rate applies

Houston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 46 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

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92610 billing questions

How does 92610 differ from 92611?

92610 describes a clinical swallowing evaluation. 92611 describes swallowing assessment using motion fluoroscopy, so report 92611 when that instrumental service is performed.

When is 92612 more appropriate than 92610?

Use 92612 for a flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with video or cine recording. A clinical assessment without that endoscopic procedure is described by 92610.

Does modifier 26 apply to 92610?

No. CMS identifies 92610 as a therapy service for which the professional component modifier does not apply.

What documentation supports 92610?

Document the clinical assessment performed, swallowing findings, interpretation, and recommendations or plan. Include relevant observed responses to food or liquids when those trials are part of the evaluation.

Does 92610 include fluoroscopy or endoscopy?

No. It describes a clinical evaluation; fluoroscopic or endoscopic assessment is a distinct instrumental service and should be represented by the applicable code when performed.

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 92610PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,868 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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