Speech therapists, or speech-language pathologists (SLPs), play a vital role in helping children develop proper speech and language skills and in assisting adults regain their voice after an illness or injury.
Medical coders and billers at rehabilitation therapy practices can bill for these services, but reimbursement depends on using the correct billing codes and modifiers. That’s why we’ve compiled the most common speech therapy CPT codes for you, right here!
CPT Codes for Speech Therapy
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes are a universal language healthcare providers and health insurers use to describe the services, procedures, or treatments provided to a patient.
The most common speech therapy CPT codes fall into categories of treatments, evaluations, instrumental assessments, and remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM). Most of these speech-language pathology codes are un-timed/ service-based and can only be billed once per day.
Speech Therapy CPT Codes for Treatment
| CPT Code | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 92507 | Treatment of speech, language, voice, communication, and/or auditory processing disorder, individual | Used by SLPs only (not audiologists). Can include training or modification of voice prosthetics. |
| 92508 | Treatment of speech, language, voice, communication, and/or auditory processing disorder; group, two or more | Same as 92507, but for a group of two or more individuals. |
| 92526 | Treatment of swallowing dysfunction and/or oral function for feeding | Example: Introducing special cups/straws for children or modifying liquids for adults. Can include e-stim if combined with non-e-stim treatment. |
| 92606 | Therapeutic services for the use of non-speech-generating augmentative and alternative communication device | Modifying or programming a non-speech-generating AAC device for the patient. |
| 92609 | Therapeutic service(s) for the use of speech-generating devices, including programming and modification | Programming a speech-generating device (SGD) and training the patient in its use. Patient must be present. |
| 97129 | Therapeutic interventions focused on cognitive function and compensatory strategies; initial 15 minutes | Cognitive therapy for learning disabilities or neurological skill loss due to illness or brain injury. |
| 97130 | Each additional 15 minutes of cognitive therapy, when appropriate | Add-on code for extended cognitive therapy sessions. |
| 97533 | Sensory integrative techniques to enhance sensory processing; each 15 minutes | Therapy to improve sensory processing and adaptive responses (e.g., interpreting touch, sound, smell, taste, sight, or movement). |
Speech Therapy Evaluation CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 92521 | Evaluation of speech fluency (e.g., stuttering, cluttering) | Example: Assessing stutter frequency, severity, patterns, impact on communication, and underlying factors. |
| 92522 | Evaluation of speech sound production | Focused on articulation and phonological accuracy in speech production. |
| 92523 | Evaluation of speech sound production; with evaluation of language comprehension and expression | Includes assessment of articulation, phonological processes, and language abilities. Requires objective (tests) and subjective (symptoms) methods. Language age may be estimated if needed. |
| 92524 | Behavioral and qualitative analysis of voice and resonance | Evaluates vocal quality, fatigue, range limitations, and potential underlying issues without special instruments. |
| 92605 | Evaluation for prescription of non-speech-generating augmentative and alternative communication device | Assessment to prescribe a non-speech-generating AAC device. |
| 92610 | Evaluation of oral and pharyngeal swallowing function | Focused on diagnosing swallowing difficulties, including assessment of oral and pharyngeal function. |
| 96105 | Assessment of aphasia with interpretation and report, per hour | Includes expressive and receptive language assessment (e.g., Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination) for issues like comprehension, speech production, reading, spelling, and writing. |
| 96110 | Developmental screening, with interpretation and report, per standardized instrument form | Example: Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) to evaluate communication, social-emotional, gross motor, and fine motor skills in children. Medicare uses G0451 for billing. |
| 96112 | Developmental test administration (e.g., fine/gross motor, language, cognitive, social skills); first hour | Performed using standardized tools by qualified healthcare professionals. For additional 30 minutes, use 96113. |
Billing for Instrumental Assessments
| CPT Code | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 92511 | Nasopharyngoscopy with endoscope (separate procedure) | A thin, flexible fiberoptic endoscope is inserted through the nose to examine the nasal cavity, throat, and adenoids for potential issues. |
| 92520 | Laryngeal function studies | Tests air flow through the larynx and sound production to diagnose voice disorders. |
| 31575 | Laryngoscopy; flexible; diagnostic | A thin, flexible fiberoptic scope is inserted through the nose or mouth to examine the voice box for abnormalities like polyps, nodules, or lesions. |
| 31579 | Laryngoscopy; flexible or rigid telescopic, with stroboscopy | Combines laryngoscopy with stroboscopy (a strobe light) to observe slowed vocal fold movements, aiding in diagnosing and managing voice disorders. |
| 92611 | Motion fluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing function by cine or video recording | Uses cine or video to assess swallowing function, including oral motor skills and reflexes. A separate code is used if interpreted by a radiologist. |
| 92612 | Flexible fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing by cine or video recording | A thin, flexible fiberoptic endoscope is used to observe swallowing function on a live monitor. |
Take note: For most of these codes to be used, the SLP must be the one using the instrument.
Remote Therapeutic Monitoring CPT Codes for SLP
| CPT Code | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 98975 | Remote therapeutic monitoring (e.g., therapy adherence, therapy response); initial set-up and patient education | Covers initial set-up and teaching of the RTM device to the patient/caregiver. Report once per episode of care, regardless of time spent. |
| 98976 | Remote therapeutic monitoring, respiratory; device(s) supply, each 30 days | Includes a 30-day supply of respiratory monitoring devices (e.g., peak flow meter). Patient must use the system for at least 16 days. Excludes time for data monitoring. |
| 98977 | Remote therapeutic monitoring, MSK; device(s) supply, each 30 days | Same as 98976, but for musculoskeletal (MSK) system monitoring. |
| 98978 | Remote therapeutic monitoring, CBT; device(s) supply, each 30 days | Same as 98976, but for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) monitoring. |
| 98980 | Remote therapeutic monitoring treatment management; first 20 minutes | Covers the first 20 minutes of time spent managing a patient's RTM program in a calendar month, including at least one interactive communication with the patient/caregiver. |
| 98981 | Remote therapeutic monitoring treatment management; each additional 20 minutes | Add-on code for every additional 20 minutes spent on RTM management beyond the initial 20 minutes covered by 98980. |
Speech Therapy Billing Best Practices
When billing speech therapy claims, there are several key things to keep in mind. You must use the correct codes and modifiers when they are needed. Stay up to date with coding changes, provide thorough supporting documentation, and invest in well-trained staff and automated billing workflows.
Using the Correct Modifiers
Modifiers can add further detail to CPT codes for speech therapists, and/or explain their relationship to other codes used to bill for a treatment session.
Here are some commonly used modifiers in speech therapy billing:
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GN: Designates services provided by a speech-language pathologist (required by Medicare Part B).
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59: Differentiates two separately performed procedures during the same session and indicates each service was medically necessary.
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KX: Used for patients with Medicare when the annual payment threshold for therapy services ($2,030 in 2023 for OT) is exceeded. Justification of medical necessity for continued treatment must be documented. [possibly link to Speech Therapy Billing and Medicare Payments]
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95: Designates telehealth services. (Some payors prefer GT.)
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52: Indicates a service was partially performed. Do not use with timed codes.
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22: Indicates the service provided was substantially more time-consuming or complex than normal. Supporting documentation is crucial, and it should be used sparingly. Do not use with timed codes.
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GA: Used when a patient has reached a plateau or maintenance phase, but still wants to receive therapy. You may be able to bill secondary insurance or the patient directly with this modifier.
Stay Up to Date with Coding and Billing Changes
Payer rules and regulations are constantly evolving, so practices need to stay up to date or risk denials. Continual training for billing staff is crucial. Specialized billing software with continuous updates made specifically with rehab therapy practices in mind can be a game-changer, preventing you from billing restricted code pairs and minimizing claim denials.
Clear and Complete Documentation
Many CPT codes require accurate and thorough documentation that supports or explains:
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Proof of medical necessity
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Why a certain code was used vs. another code
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Who administered the treatment and for how long (and why)
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Previous injuries, complaints, symptoms, treatments, tests, etc. (medical records)
Better Billing Workflows for SLPs
The most efficient rehab therapy practices rely on software for faster, more accurate billing.
Features like automatic code selection and error checking as well as templates for notes, superbills, and prior authorizations reduce mistakes in addition to saving you time. The ability to check eligibility in real-time, offer billing and copay estimations upfront, and identify missing or invalid information before submission helps avoid denials and provides a better patient experience.
Staying Updated on CPT Code Changes
Well-trained staff and specialized billing software can help ensure accurate billing and save your practice time and money. Using outdated or incorrect codes can lead to claim denials and lost revenue. Utilize resources from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and the CMS annual CPT code update, or consider using reliable medical billing software to keep your processes current, compliant, and efficient.