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Official Description

Canalith repositioning procedure(s) (eg, Epley maneuver, Semont maneuver), per day

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The canalith repositioning procedure, as denoted by CPT® Code 95992, encompasses one or more therapeutic maneuvers aimed at alleviating vertigo, specifically benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This condition arises due to the presence of calcium crystal debris, known as canaliths, within the semicircular canals of the inner ear, which disrupts normal balance and spatial orientation. The primary objective of these procedures is to reposition the displaced canaliths into a neutral area of the inner ear, thereby mitigating the symptoms of vertigo. The Epley maneuver and the Semont maneuver are two commonly employed techniques within this category. The Epley maneuver involves a series of carefully orchestrated head and body positions that facilitate the movement of the canaliths. Initially, the patient is seated upright, then quickly transitioned to a supine position with the head turned towards the affected side at a 45-degree angle, allowing for observation of nystagmus, a sign of vertigo. Following this, the head is rotated to the opposite side, and the patient is turned onto their side, maintaining the head's angle. The Semont maneuver, while less frequently utilized in the United States, also begins with the patient in a sitting position and involves rapid transitions between lying on the affected side and the opposite side. These procedures may need to be repeated multiple times across several treatment sessions to achieve optimal results, and the coding for these interventions is reported on a per day basis, reflecting the frequency of the procedures performed within a single day.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The canalith repositioning procedure(s) are indicated for patients experiencing benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which is characterized by episodes of vertigo triggered by changes in head position. The following conditions may warrant the performance of these procedures:

  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) - A condition caused by the displacement of calcium crystals in the inner ear, leading to dizziness and balance issues when the head is moved in certain positions.

2. Procedure

The canalith repositioning procedures consist of specific steps designed to reposition the displaced canaliths effectively. The following outlines the procedural steps for both the Epley and Semont maneuvers:

  • Epley Maneuver - The patient begins in an upright sitting position. The clinician then assists the patient to quickly lie back with the head turned towards the symptomatic side at a 45-degree angle, slightly hyperextended. This position is maintained for 30 to 60 seconds while observing the patient's eyes for nystagmus, indicating vertigo. Once the vertigo subsides, the clinician turns the patient's head to the opposite side at a 45-degree angle and holds this position for another 30 to 60 seconds, again monitoring for nystagmus. Following this, the patient's body is turned in the same direction as the head, and the patient lies on their side with the head still at a 45-degree angle from the body for 30 seconds. The patient may experience another episode of dizziness during this step. Finally, the patient is returned to a sitting position with the head tilted slightly forward, and the maneuver may be repeated as necessary to alleviate dizziness.
  • Semont Maneuver - This maneuver also starts with the patient in a sitting position. The clinician assists the patient to lie down on the affected side rapidly, then quickly moves the patient to the opposite side before returning them to a sitting position. This process may be repeated multiple times as needed to address the vertigo symptoms.

3. Post-Procedure

After the canalith repositioning procedures, patients may experience varying degrees of dizziness as the maneuvers can provoke symptoms temporarily. It is essential for patients to be monitored closely during the recovery phase, as they may require assistance to maintain balance and prevent falls. Patients are often advised to avoid sudden head movements and to follow any specific post-procedure instructions provided by the clinician. The effectiveness of the procedure may necessitate multiple sessions over several days, and the clinician will determine the appropriate follow-up based on the patient's response to treatment.

Short Descr CANALITH REPOSITIONING PROC
Medium Descr CANALITH REPOSITIONING PROCEDURE
Long Descr Canalith repositioning procedure(s) (eg, Epley maneuver, Semont maneuver), per day
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Service Paid under Fee Schedule or Payment System other than OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 1 - Medical Care
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) M5D - Specialist - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 8 - Other non-OR or closed therapeutic nervous system procedures
GP Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
CQ Outpatient physical therapy services furnished in whole or in part by a physical therapist assistant
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GO Services delivered under an outpatient occupational therapy plan of care
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
97 Rehabilitative services: when a service or procedure that may be either habilitative or rehabilitative in nature is provided for rehabilitative purposes, the physician or other qualified health care professional may add modifier 97 to the service or procedure code to indicate that the service or procedure provided was a rehabilitative service. rehabilitative services help an individual keep, get back, or improve skills and functioning for daily living that have been lost or impaired because the individual was sick, hurt, or disabled.
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
GN Services delivered under an outpatient speech language pathology plan of care
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
24 Unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during a postoperative period: the physician or other qualified health care professional may need to indicate that an evaluation and management service was performed during a postoperative period for a reason(s) unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 24 to the appropriate level of e/m service.
25 Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59.
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
56 Preoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the preoperative care and evaluation and another performed the surgical procedure, the preoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 56 to the usual procedure number.
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
AB Audiology service furnished personally by an audiologist without a physician/npp order for non-acute hearing assessment unrelated to disequilibrium, or hearing aids, or examinations for the purpose of prescribing, fitting, or changing hearing aids; service may be performed once every 12 months, per beneficiary
AI Principal physician of record
AT Acute treatment (this modifier should be used when reporting service 98940, 98941, 98942)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CG Policy criteria applied
CO Outpatient occupational therapy services furnished in whole or in part by an occupational therapy assistant
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
FP Service provided as part of family planning program
FS Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GX Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
PN Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
U5 Medicaid level of care 5, as defined by each state
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
Date
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Notes
2009-01-01 Added -
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Description
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