Billing code 92576: Speech-in-noise testMedicare rate & RVUs in Massachusetts
Reports audiologic testing with synthetic sentences to assess speech understanding in competing sound, often when central auditory dysfunction is suspected.
Medicare pays $44.58–$50.55 for 92576 in the office in Massachusetts, from Rest Of Massachusetts to Metropolitan Boston. 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 92576 covers
An audiologist presents standardized synthetic sentences and evaluates how well the patient identifies them, commonly with competing sound as part of the test. The task helps assess speech understanding under challenging listening conditions and may be used when central auditory dysfunction is suspected. Testing is typically performed in an audiology clinic or an otolaryngology practice with audiology services.
Select this code for the synthetic-sentence task, rather than for general speech recognition or a different auditory processing test. The record should identify the test performed, the patient's responses, and the findings supporting the clinical assessment. CMS treats this as a technical-component-only service; a separate code represents interpretation. The code is priced as bilateral, so report the test once rather than adding modifier 50 to increase payment.
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 92576 pays more and less in Massachusetts
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Boston | $50.55 | Unavailable |
| Rest Of Massachusetts | $44.58 | Unavailable |
How the 92576 rate is calculated
Each of 92576’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 · 92576
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 0.00Practice expense 1.26Malpractice 0.01
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 92576
The CMS indicators that decide how 92576 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 92576
Speech-in-noise 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. |
92576 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
92576 vs 92556 vs 92571 vs 92572 vs 92577: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 92556Speech audiometry
- Use 92556 for speech audiometry assessing speech recognition. Use 92576 when the performed test uses synthetic sentences, commonly in competing sound.
- 92571Speech test
- 92571 tests recognition of filtered speech; 92576 uses synthetic sentences. The test protocol performed determines the code.
- 92572Speech processing test
- 92572 uses staggered spondaic words, not synthetic sentences. Report 92576 when the synthetic-sentence task is performed.
- 92577Stenger test
- 92577 is a speech Stenger test used to evaluate suspected nonorganic unilateral hearing loss; it is distinct from synthetic-sentence testing.
92576 billing questions
How is this different from speech audiometry?
This test uses synthetic sentences to assess speech understanding in competing sound. Speech audiometry under 92556 evaluates speech recognition using a different task.
Is interpretation included in this code?
No. CMS identifies 92576 as technical-component-only; a separate code represents interpretation.
Should modifier 50 be reported?
No. CMS prices the service as bilateral, and modifier 50 does not increase payment.
What documentation supports reporting 92576?
Document the synthetic-sentence test performed, the patient's responses, and findings relevant to the reason for testing, such as suspected difficulty understanding speech in competing sound.
How does this differ from the staggered spondaic word test?
92576 uses synthetic sentences; 92572 uses staggered spondaic words. Choose the code for the specific auditory test 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
Fee sheets
Put 92576 and the rest of your codes on one sheet
Build a fee sheet from your own code list at your locality, put your payer contracts beside Medicare, and see what changed each quarter.
Build my fee sheetOr price your code list free →