Billing code 92571: Speech testMedicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
Reports audiologic testing that presents filtered speech to assess speech recognition when portions of the speech signal are reduced.
Medicare pays $28.58–$32.15 for 92571 in the office in Illinois, from Rest Of Illinois to Suburban Chicago. 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.
On this page 9 sections
What 92571 covers
An audiologist typically presents speech with selected frequency information reduced and evaluates the patient’s ability to recognize it. The test can help characterize speech understanding beyond routine pure-tone thresholds, including in an audiology workup for reported hearing or speech-recognition difficulty. It is performed in an audiology setting using auditory test equipment and speech materials.
Report 92571 for the filtered-speech testing itself, supported by documentation of the test performed and its results. CMS identifies this as a technical-component-only service; interpretation is represented by a separate code. The CMS fee schedule treats the service as bilateral, so modifier 50 does not increase payment. Distinguish it from speech-threshold testing and broader speech audiometry by the filtered stimulus and test purpose, rather than reporting it for ordinary word-recognition testing.
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 92571 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
$28.58 to $32.15
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $31.65 | Unavailable |
| East St. Louis | $28.94 | Unavailable |
| Rest Of Illinois | $28.58 | Unavailable |
| Suburban Chicago | $32.15 | Unavailable |
How the 92571 rate is calculated
Each of 92571’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 · 92571
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 0.00Practice expense 0.92Malpractice 0.01
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 92571
The CMS indicators that decide how 92571 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 92571
Speech test
| 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. |
92571 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
92571 vs 92556 vs 92572 vs 92555: national Medicare rates
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How to choose
- 92556Speech audiometry
- 92556 covers speech audiometry, including speech recognition testing; 92571 is specifically filtered-speech testing.
- 92572Speech processing test
- 92572 is the staggered spondaic word test. It uses a different speech-test method from the filtered stimuli used for 92571.
- 92555Speech audiometry
- 92555 measures speech thresholds. It is not the filtered-speech recognition test reported with 92571.
92571 billing questions
How does 92571 differ from complete speech audiometry?
92571 is for testing with filtered speech. Use 92556 for speech audiometry that measures speech recognition and related thresholds using its standard test materials.
Does 92571 include interpretation?
No. CMS identifies 92571 as technical-component-only; a separate code covers interpretation.
Should modifier 50 be appended when both ears are tested?
The CMS fee schedule treats 92571 as bilateral, and modifier 50 does not increase payment.
What documentation supports reporting 92571?
Document that filtered-speech testing was performed and record the test results. The documentation should distinguish this procedure from routine speech audiometry.
Is 92571 the same test as the staggered spondaic word test?
No. 92571 uses filtered speech; 92572 is the staggered spondaic word test, a distinct speech 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
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