Summary & Overview
CPT 92611: Videofluoroscopic Evaluation of Swallowing Function
Headline: CPT 92611: Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study — Dynamic Evaluation of Swallowing Function
Lead: CPT 92611 designates a motion fluoroscopic, cine/video-recorded evaluation of swallowing function used to visualize dynamic swallowing physiology. The procedure is a critical diagnostic tool for identifying aspiration risk, characterizing bolus flow abnormalities, and guiding therapeutic planning for patients with suspected dysphagia.
What it represents and why it matters: As a standardized code for videofluoroscopic swallowing studies, CPT 92611 facilitates consistent documentation and billing across clinical settings where speech-language pathologists and radiology teams collaborate. Nationally, the code supports diagnostic clarity for a wide range of swallowing disorders and underpins care pathways that can reduce pneumonia risk, inform diet modification, and direct rehabilitation strategies.
Key payers covered: Major national payers include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Coverage policies and payment practices vary by payer and site of service.
Overview of what readers will learn: This publication explains the clinical context and procedural scope of CPT 92611, summarizes payer coverage considerations, and situates the code alongside related evaluations used in dysphagia assessment. Readers will find concise guidance on typical service settings, coding relationships, and common documentation elements needed to support medical necessity. Data not available in the input for service line details and payer-specific policy nuances will be noted where applicable.
CPT Code Overview
CPT 92611 is a motion fluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing function performed by cine or video recording. This procedure documents dynamic swallowing physiology to identify aspiration, bolus transit abnormalities, and functional deficits in the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing.
Service Type: Evaluative and Therapeutic Otorhinolaryngologic Services
Typical Site of Service: Performed by speech-language pathology services, commonly in outpatient settings such as an office or independent diagnostic testing facility (IDTF).
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 68-year-old outpatient with progressive swallowing difficulty (complaints of choking and coughing with solids and liquids) is referred by an otolaryngologist to speech-language pathology for instrumental assessment. The patient arrives at the speech-language pathology service in an outpatient radiology-capable clinic or independent diagnostic testing facility. A multidisciplinary workflow includes: initial clinical bedside swallowing evaluation by the speech-language pathologist, scheduling of a motion fluoroscopic evaluation, coordination with radiology technologist for videofluoroscopic recording, administration of standardized boluses of varying consistencies under fluoroscopy, real-time collaboration between the speech-language pathologist and radiologist for image acquisition, and generation of a documented interpretive report. Typical indications include evaluation of suspected oropharyngeal or pharyngeal phase dysphagia to define physiology, aspiration risk, and guide therapy planning.
Coding Specifications
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Modifier
26— Professional Component: Used when reporting only the professional component (interpretation and report) of the motion fluoroscopic evaluation provided by a qualified clinician (for example, a radiologist or speech-language pathologist authorized to interpret). -
Modifier
TC— Technical Component: Used when reporting only the technical component (use of equipment, technologist services, and image acquisition) provided by the facility or service entity.
Provider Taxonomies:
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty |
|---|---|
207RX0600X | Speech-Language Pathology |
207GR0101X | Radiology |
Related Diagnoses
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R13.10— Dysphagia, unspecifiedClinical relevance: Indicates swallowing difficulty when the phase is not specified; a frequent indication for a motion fluoroscopic swallowing evaluation to clarify physiology and aspiration risk.
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R13.11— Dysphagia, oral phaseClinical relevance: Problems with bolus preparation or transfer in the oral phase; videofluoroscopic assessment can visualize oral transit and bolus control.
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R13.12— Dysphagia, oropharyngeal phaseClinical relevance: Dysfunction at the oropharyngeal stage affecting airway protection or bolus propulsion;
92611documents pharyngeal clearance and penetration/aspiration events. -
R13.13— Dysphagia, pharyngeal phaseClinical relevance: Pharyngeal weakness or coordination deficits assessed by fluoroscopic imaging during swallowing maneuvers.
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R13.14— Dysphagia, pharyngoesophageal phaseClinical relevance: Dysfunction involving the pharyngoesophageal segment, cricopharyngeal dysfunction, or bolus flow into the esophagus; motion fluoroscopy evaluates transference across this region.
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to 92611 |
|---|---|---|
74230 | Radiologic examination, swallowing function, with cineradiography/videoradiography (interpreting physician/radiologist portion) | Radiology counterpart for cine/videoradiographic swallowing studies; often represents the radiologist interpretation portion and may be reported in conjunction with the technical or professional components depending on services rendered. |
92610 | Evaluation of oral and pharyngeal swallowing function | Clinical (non-imaging) swallowing evaluation by a speech-language pathologist; often performed before or after 92611 as part of the comprehensive assessment; can be complementary. |
92612 | Flexible fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing by cine or video recording | Instrumental alternative to 92611 using endoscopic visualization; used as an alternative modality for assessing swallow function in differing clinical scenarios. |
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Medicare's mean allowed rate for 92611 ($94.64) is notably lower than the BUCA (average commercial) mean ($128.26), reflecting a gap of $33.62 in national averages. This positions Medicare at the low end of the payer spectrum, while commercial aggregates and large national commercial plans report higher mean rates.
Rate dispersion, measured as the difference between the 75th and 25th percentiles, is tightest for Medicare (range $8.00) and Aetna (range $37.00), and widest for Cigna (range $85.50) and UnitedHealth Group (range $86.00). The table and chart below present the full breakdown of mean rates and percentile values for each payer.
Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.