Your Questions, Answered

  • FEES stands for Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing. This is an imaging study to directly visualize what happens in the throat during swallowing. The FEES Endoscopist will be able to determine if food or liquid is going ‘down the wrong way’ (into the airway) or getting stuck anywhere when swallowing. Healthcare providers may have concerns regarding swallow safety, especially if an individual has been diagnosed with pneumonia.

  • A FEES usually lasts about 10 minutes. A very thin, flexible scope is gently guided through the nose, allowing visualization of the throat. The scope is attached to a camera that will display the image on a computer screen. The participant will be asked to eat/drink different textures of food/liquid that will be colored with a small amount of food coloring. The FEES Endoscopist comes to the facility, so individuals do not need travel or transport for this procedure.

  • We offer Mobile FEES services to a variety of post-acute healthcare facility partners, including SNFs, long-term care, LTACH, IPR hospitals, and clinics. Our onsite swallow imaging services empower clinicians to make timely, evidence-based decisions for dysphagia management—right at the point of care. We provide services across Western PA, Eastern OH, and Northern WV.

    As part of our Clinical Education offerings, we provide guest lectures, demos, and hands-on workshops for student learners through our university partnerships. We can also assist in FEES competency and mentorship for hospital-based, practicing clinicians.

  • It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart. A few key highlights about our services:

    Fast Turnaround: FEES are typically completed within 2-5 days of referral request.

    Significant Cost Savings: Eliminates transportation costs and support staff travel to hospital-based swallow study appointments. No charge for cancellations or rescheduling.

    Detailed Reporting: Consultative approach with two color copies of each report are provided at the point of service.

    Fully Equipped: We bring all necessary equipment, supplies, and food items to complete FEES testing.

  • Collaborative, honest, and thoughtful. We combine a compassionate, patient-centered approach with clear communication and reliable excellence.

    As members of the community, our mission is to fill gaps in care across the region. We aim to increase access to specialized services, empower clinicians to provide effective and ethical care, and support autonomy for individuals with dysphagia.

  • There are a number of scenarios when diagnostic swallow imaging is clinically warranted. This includes, but is not limited to:

    • Patient has a diagnosis/condition with high risk of dysphagia (i.e. trach)

    • Patient with known progression of degenerative condition (i.e. Parkinson’s)

    • Clinical swallow eval shows impaired safety/efficiency of swallow

    • Need to identify swallow physiology to plan effective treatment

    • Need to rule out possible signs at bedside, or silent aspiration

    • Need to assess for improvements following dysphagia treatment plan

    • Need to rule out dysphagia as a source of medical condition (i.e. pneumonia, globus, weight loss, etc)

  • The risk for any complication is very minimal with FEES. The most likely complication is a sneezing episode. There is a very small risk for a minor nosebleed. Other possible, but highly unlikely, complications include: brief involuntary closure of the vocal folds or a brief drop in blood pressure. Research has been completed using FEES for several decades with very low risk of complications.

  • Partnering with us is easy!

    Step 1. Get in touch. Contact us about becoming a facility partner. Our team will be in touch within 24 hours and we’ll walk you through the process.

    Step 2. Sign a contract. Partner facilities enter a mutual Professional Services Agreement to follow all Medicare-mandated terms of service, including consolidated billing rules. Upon agreement, we will provide your administration with our W-9, Certificate of Liability Insurance (COI), and state licensure.

    Step 3. Welcome packet or in-service. We offer complimentary onboarding to get your team familiar with the details of our process and what to expect.

    Step 4. Start scheduling: Fill out our simple online referral form, obtain a physician’s order, and schedule a time for the study. We handle the rest!

    If your primary FEES provider is delayed or unavailable for any reason, please reach out to us to partner as a secondary vendor. You only pay for the studies we perform.

  • We charge a flat rate per successful FEES performed. We only perform FEES (CPT 92612), allowing all other time billable by the facility rehab team. We will invoice your facility directly, based upon the agreed contract price per patient study, irrespective of the payer. Access to our Mobile FEES services eliminates transport costs and need for accompanying staff travel to hospital-based swallow study appointments.

  • No. All therapy services (both Part A and B) fall under the Consolidated Billing rules. Because FEES (CPT 92612) is a therapy code, it is subject to Medicare Consolidated Billing rules. We will directly invoice your facility a flat rate per FEES for our service, based on the contracted price, regardless of the payer. Your billing department then submits the claim directly to Medicare or insurance, allowing you to capture the reimbursement and keep your therapy dollars in-house.

  • You can reach us anytime via our contact page, by email at info@commonwealthswallowing.com, or by phone at 813.690.5149. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.

  • When you’re ready to refer a patient for a FEES, click the “Request a FEES” button. Fill out our simple, HIPAA-compliant online intake form and our team will be in touch within 24 hours to set up a convenient date and time for the study.

  • The healthcare professional requesting a FEES can prepare by ensuring there is a physician order in the patient’s chart and establish a point of contact at the facility for the day of the scheduled FEES. Patients do not need to do anything special to prepare for the FEES. They may eat and drink up until the appointment time. The patient may be asked to sit up in a chair or have the head of bed elevated as much as tolerated during the FEES.

  • Immediately! The Endoscopist performing the FEES will explain the results of the test as soon as it is completed. We provide full color copies of the diagnostic report at point of service that can be included in the healthcare facility files and EMR.