Bayside Dysphagia Diagnostics
We bring certified, mobile FEES evaluations directly to your facility — so your patients receive timely, accurate dysphagia diagnostics without leaving the building.
Why FEES? The Advantages Are Clear
FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing) is a cost-effective and convenient tool for assessing swallowing disorders that provides timely results and recommendations.
No Transport Necessary
FEES is performed entirely at bedside — eliminating the cost, risk, and logistical burden of transporting medically fragile residents to an outside facility for a Modified Barium Swallow Study.
No Radiation Exposure
Unlike fluoroscopic swallow studies, FEES uses no radiation whatsoever. This makes it safer for repeated assessments and ideal for elderly residents who require ongoing dysphagia monitoring.
Real Foods, Real Results
We assess swallowing using your patient's actual diet textures and consistencies — not barium-coated substitutes — producing clinically meaningful results that directly guide care planning.
Immediate, Actionable Findings
Results are visible in real time. Preliminary diet and strategy recommendations are shared with your team immediately after the procedure, enabling faster and safer care decisions.
Comprehensive Written Report
Every evaluation is followed by a detailed diagnostic report documenting aspiration risk, compensatory strategy effectiveness, diet recommendations, and therapy suggestions.
Collaborative Care Approach
Our clinicians work alongside your in-house SLP or Rehab team — sharing findings, answering questions, and supporting care planning to ensure continuity and the best possible outcomes for your residents.
Easy Referral Process & Facility Checklist
Following these steps ensures a smooth evaluation experience for your patients and staff.
Easy Referral Process
Preparing for Our Arrival
What to Expect Once We Arrive
Our clinicians work efficiently and collaboratively with your team, keeping patients comfortable throughout the process.
Arrival & Setup
Our clinician arrives with all necessary equipment and conducts a thorough review of the patient's medical chart before the evaluation begins.
Patient Consultation & Prep
We discuss the FEES procedure with the patient and complete any additional patient preparation work needed to ensure comfort and accuracy.
FEES Evaluation
The endoscopist passes the endoscope transnasally and guides your facility's representative through the PO presentations. Both the patient and facility representative may observe the video in real time.
Compensatory Strategies & Positioning
During the FEES, we assess compensatory strategies and positioning techniques to determine the safest and most appropriate diet for your patient.
Detailed Diagnostic Report
We review the video recording and produce a comprehensive report including PO recommendations, compensatory strategies, therapy suggestions, and any referral recommendations as needed.
Results Debrief & Care Planning
Our clinician will discuss results with an appropriate facility representative and collaborates with your SLP on treatment planning.
Documentation & Invoicing
Our clinician will then review the video and complete a detailed diagnostic report, including PO recommendations, strategies, therapy suggestions, and potential referral recommendations. An invoice for billed services will follow.
FEES Billing Information
A quick-reference billing guide for facility administrators, SLPs, and Directors of Rehabilitation. Select a topic below.
How BDD Charges Work
BDD contracts directly with your facility at a flat per-procedure rate. We do not bill residents or any insurance plan. Our contract for FEES services is between BDD and the facility — for services and payment.
BDD Is Not a Third-Party Biller
All insurance billing is the facility's responsibility. Because a FEES evaluation is a therapy service performed by a therapist under the roof of your facility, consolidated billing rules apply.
The Facility Is Always the Provider
The FEES is a swallowing evaluation performed by a therapist in your facility. Accordingly, the facility is the billing provider for any insurance reimbursement — not BDD.
Potential Reimbursement
Under some insurance plans, the facility may capture reimbursement for a portion of the FEES cost. The 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule averages $205 reimbursement for CPT 92612 in New England.
SOC Date: The FEES can be used as the Start of Care (SOC) date for a dysphagia patient. If billed on the same day as CPT 92610 (Swallow Eval), CPT 92612 requires Modifier *59 to identify it as a separate and distinct procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about FEES evaluations or partnering with Bayside Dysphagia Diagnostics? We've answered the most common ones below.
FEES stands for Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing. It is a comprehensive diagnostic, bedside procedure performed by a certified Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). A thin, flexible endoscope is gently passed through the nose to visualize the throat and larynx during swallowing. The procedure allows clinicians to directly observe whether food or liquid is entering the airway (aspiration) and assess the safety and efficiency of a patient's swallow function.
FEES can be performed right at your facility — no transport required. This is especially valuable for medically fragile patients in SNFs and nursing homes. FEES uses no radiation, can be performed at bedside in any position, and allows real-time assessment using actual food and liquid textures from the patient's diet. Results are available immediately, and the procedure is generally well-tolerated.
A referring physician must provide a written order for the FEES procedure (CPT codes 92612 and 92526). The need for the evaluation is typically identified by a Speech-Language Pathologist, Registered Nurse, Dietitian, or Physician based on clinical signs of dysphagia such as coughing during meals, unexplained weight loss, recurrent aspiration pneumonia, or a patient's self-reported difficulty swallowing.
Bayside Dysphagia Diagnostics bills for the FEES procedure (CPT 92612) and the dysphagia treatment/evaluation component (CPT 92526). For patients covered by Medicare Part B, these services are billed directly to Medicare. For patients with Managed Care or private insurance, prior authorization should be obtained by your facility's Business Office before scheduling. Our team is happy to assist with billing questions.
FEES is a minimally invasive, well-tolerated procedure with an excellent safety record. It is performed by our CCC-SLP certified clinicians following strict infection control protocols. Potential side effects are rare but may include mild nasal discomfort or, very rarely, a vasovagal response. We review each patient's medical history prior to the evaluation and will advise if any contraindications exist.
A typical FEES evaluation takes approximately 30–45 minutes from setup to completion, including chart review, patient preparation, the procedure itself, and equipment disinfection. Results and preliminary recommendations are shared with your facility representative immediately following the evaluation. A full written report is provided shortly thereafter.
Bayside Dysphagia Diagnostics provides mobile FEES evaluations throughout the South Shore and Cape Cod regions of Massachusetts, including nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), long-term care facilities, and assisted living communities. If you're unsure whether your facility is within our service area, please contact us and we'll be happy to confirm.
Ready to Partner With Us?
Contact our team today to sign a Service Agreement, schedule your first evaluation, or simply learn more about how Bayside Dysphagia Diagnostics can support your patients.
Get In TouchRescheduling or Canceling an Evaluation
If you need to reschedule or cancel, please contact us as soon as possible. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice due to non-emergent circumstances may be subject to a cancellation fee. We understand the unpredictable nature of skilled nursing environments and work with you in good faith.