--- title: "CROS/BiCROS Coding" description: "ADA offers programming and support to audiologists and students who are or who desire to be autonomous practitioners in the field of Audiology." url: "https://audiologist.org/audiologists/codes/cros-bicros-coding" date: "2026-06-25T05:08:29+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- # CROS/BiCROS Coding The content you’re trying to view is part of our members-only resources, developed exclusively for professionals working within the audiology community. These materials are designed to support audiologists and hearing care professionals through curated industry updates, practice management tools, educational resources, and peer insights. Whether you’re seeking continuing education opportunities, policy updates, or practical guidance for your clinic, our members-only content is built to deliver meaningful value and help you stay informed in a rapidly evolving field. 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[ Login ](https://audiologist.org/login) [ Benefits of Membership ](https://audiologist.org/about/membership/benefits-of-membership) The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) is dedicated to the advancement of practitioner excellence, high ethical standards, professional autonomy and sound business practices in the provision of quality audiologic care. ## Schema ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://audiologist.org" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "CROS/BiCROS Coding", "item": "https://audiologist.org/audiologists/codes/cros-bicros-coding" } ] } ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://audiologist.org/audiologists/codes/cros-bicros-coding#organization3", "name": "Academy of Doctors of Audiology", "alternateName": "Agentis", "legalName": "Agentis Management", "email": "info@audiologist.org", "url": "https://audiologist.org", "telephone": "(859) 977-7454", "foundingDate": "1977-01-01", "logo": "https://audiologist.org//images/favicon.png", "image": "https://audiologist.org//images/favicon.png", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "1024 Capital Center Drive, Suite 205, Frankfort, Kentucky", "postalCode": "40601" } } ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://audiologist.org/audiologists/codes/cros-bicros-coding" }, "headline": "CROS/BiCROS Coding", "description": "CROS/BiCROS Coding The Academy of Doctors of Audiology, the Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology, the American Academy of Audiology, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association have collaborated on guidance regarding the appropriate billing and coding of CROS and BiCROS systems. The HCPCS descriptions and HCPCS codes that represent these systems are: V5170: Hearing aid, CROS, in the ear V5180: Hearing aid, CROS, behind the ear V5190: Hearing aid, CROS, glasses V5210: Hearing aid, BiCROS, in the ear V5220: Hearing aid, BiCROS, behind the ear V5230: Hearing aid, BiCROS, glasses Each of these codes includes both the transmitter and the receiver (CROS) OR the receiver/hearing aid (BiCROS). Typically, no other hearing aid device code (i.e. V5257) should be billed in addition to the specific CROS or BiCROS code used. Unless you are specifically instructed to do so by the payer, it may be considered a fraudulent billing practice to submit a claim for both a CROS instrument and a hearing aid. Please read and review your Medicaid and third-party payer contracts to determine the coverage specifics related to CROS and BiCROS for each specific payer. State Medicaid programs may have specific coding and coverage guidance unique to the provision of these devices in a specific state. As indicated in previous joint communications, it may be useful to itemize/unbundle the hearing aid claims to maximize third-party reimbursement of these devices. For more information or further clarification, please feel free to contact Kim Cavitt Au.D. CROS/BiCROS Coding Updates for 2019 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has created a new code set related to CROS/BiCROS technologies. These codes will go into effect on January 1, 2019. A CROS system is where a patient wears a “hearing aid,” functioning as a receiver, on the normal hearing ear and a “hearing aid,” functioning as a transmitter, on the “unaidable” ear. A BiCROS system is where a patient wears a hearing aid/receiver on the better hearing ear and a “hearing aid,” functioning as a transmitter, on the “unaidable” ear. The hearing aid and “hearing aid” receivers and “hearing aid” transmitters can be in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), and/or behind-the-ear (BTE) types/styles and the patient can be fit with different types/styles in each ear. The new codes will now reflect these options. PLEASE NOTE: Before utilizing this new code set, please consult your payer fee schedules, agreements, and websites. Some payers, especially State and Managed Medicaid programs, may not recognize the new code set. THE EXISTENCE OF A CODE IS NOT A GUARANTEE OF THIRD-PARTY COVERAGE OR PAYMENT NOR IT IS A GUARANTEE OF AN INCREASED ALLOWABLE RATE. Below please find select tables that outline the new, revised, or remaining existing codes, their official 2019 descriptions, their official 2018 descriptions, when applicable, and how these codes are applied to clinical situations.   New Codes HCPCS CODE OFFICIAL 2019 HCPCS DESCRIPTION CLINICAL UTILIZATION OF THE CODE V5171 Hearing aid, contralateral routing device, monaural, in the ear (ITE) The patient has an existing hearing aid or CROS receiver that was dispensed on a previous date of service; this code represents a new or replacement ITE transmitter for the “unaidable” ear. V5172 Hearing aid, contralateral routing device, monaural, in the canal (ITC) The patient has an existing hearing aid or CROS receiver that was dispensed on a previous date of service; this code represents a new or replacement ITC transmitter for the “unaidable” ear. V5181 Hearing aid, contralateral routing device, monaural, behind the ear (BTE) The patient has an existing hearing aid or CROS receiver that was dispensed on a previous date of service; this code represents a new or replacement BTE transmitter for the “unaidable” ear. V5211 Hearing aid, contralateral routing system, binaural, ITE/ITE The patient is receiving a new CROS/BiCROS system (both the transmitter and hearing aid/receiver) on the same date of service; this code represents a system where both ears have an ITE device. V5212 Hearing aid, contralateral routing system, binaural, ITE/ITC The patient is receiving a new CROS/BiCROS system (both the transmitter and hearing aid/receiver) on the same date of service; this code represents a system where one ear has an ITE device and one ear has an ITC device. V5213 Hearing aid, contralateral routing system, binaural, ITE/BTE The patient is receiving a new CROS/BiCROS system (both the transmitter and hearing aid/receiver) on the same date of service; this code represents a system where one ear has an ITE device and one ear has a BTE device. V5214 Hearing aid, contralateral routing system, binaural, ITC/ITC The patient is receiving a new CROS/BICROS system (both the transmitter and hearing aid/receiver) on the same date of service; this code represents a system where both ears have an ITC device. V5215 Hearing aid, contralateral routing system, binaural, ITC/BTE The patient is receiving a new CROS/BiCROS system (both the transmitter and hearing aid/receiver) on the same date of service; this code represents a system where one ear has an ITE device and one ear has a BTE device. V5221 Hearing aid, contralateral routing system, binaural, BTE/BTE The patient is receiving a new CROS/BiCROS system (both the transmitter and hearing aid/receiver) on the same date of service; this code represents a system where both ears have a BTE device.   Revised Codes HCPCS CODE OFFICIAL 2019 HCPCS DESCRIPTION 2018 HCPCS DESCRIPTION CLINICAL UTILIZATION OF THE CODE V5190 Hearing aid, contralateral routing, monaural, glasses Hearing aid, CROS, glasses The patient is receiving a new CROS device housed in eyeglasses; this code represents the eyeglass CROS device in the monaural configuration. V5200 Dispensing fee, contralateral, monaural Dispensing fee, CROS The patient is receiving a new CROS device; this code represents the dispensing fee surrounding the fitting of this device. V5230 Hearing aid, contralateral routing system, binaural, glasses Hearing aid, BiCROS, glasses The patient is receiving a new BiCROS device housed in eyeglasses; this code represents the eyeglass device in the binaural configuration. V5240 Dispensing fee, contralateral routing system, binaural Dispensing fee, BiCROS The patient is receiving a new BiCROS device; this code represents the dispensing fee surrounding the fitting of this device. Please note: The dispensing fee is the facility fee surrounding the evaluation, selection, ordering, programming, and fitting of a CROS/BiCROS device that is not represented by another CPT or HCPCS code. Some payers, specifically State and Managed Medicaid programs, consider the dispensing fee code to represent the fitting and orientation of the device (V5011).   Deleted Codes HCPCS CODE OFFICIAL 2018 AND 2019 CODE DESCRIPTION V5170 Hearing aid, CROS, in the ear V5180 Hearing aid, CROS, behind the ear V5210 Hearing aid, BiCROS, in the ear V5220 Hearing aid, BiCROS, behind the ear Please note: Some payers, specifically State and Managed Medicaid programs, may have difficulty transitioning to the new code set. Practices may need to file appeals, especially at the outset of 2019, detailing the replacement codes. If you have specific questions, please contact Kim Cavitt Au.D. or 773-960-6625. This one-on-one professional guidance is a value-added benefit of ADA membership.", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://audiologist.org/" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Academy of Doctors of Audiology", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://audiologist.org//images/favicon.png" } }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul Scarnegie", "url": "https://audiologist.org/audiologists/codes/cros-bicros-coding" }, "datePublished": "2025-03-27T18:28:56+00:00", "dateCreated": "2025-03-27T18:28:56+00:00", "dateModified": "2025-05-13T18:36:45+00:00" } ```