CPT® Code 96105

Assessment of aphasia (includes assessment of expressive and receptive speech and language function, language comprehension, speech production ability, reading, spelling, writing, eg, by Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination) with interpretation and report, per hour

Aphasia is a communication disorder that affects an individual's ability to comprehend or produce speech, often resulting from neurological conditions or brain injuries. These conditions may include atherosclerotic disease leading to cerebral infarction or traumatic injuries such as skull fractures that cause intracranial bleeding. The assessment of aphasia is a comprehensive evaluation that examines various aspects of speech and language function. This includes spontaneous speech, the ability to repeat words, phrases, and sentences, comprehension of speech, recognition and naming of objects, as well as reading and writing skills. The assessment process utilizes standardized tools, such as the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination, which is designed to systematically evaluate the different components of language function. The medical professional conducting the assessment must possess the necessary training, knowledge, and skills to administer the tests effectively, following established protocols. After the assessment, the professional analyzes the results and prepares a written interpretation that details the findings. This interpretation typically identifies the specific type of aphasia present, such as expressive aphasia, where the patient struggles to translate thoughts into spoken language, or receptive aphasia, characterized by difficulties in understanding spoken words. The report may also highlight specific deficits, such as pure word deafness or transcortical sensory aphasia. The CPT® Code 96105 is utilized to bill for this assessment, which is conducted on an hourly basis and includes the interpretation of results and the generation of a written report.