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Official Description

Open implantation of hypoglossal nerve neurostimulator array, pulse generator, and distal respiratory sensor electrode or electrode array

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 64582 involves the open implantation of a hypoglossal nerve neurostimulator array, a pulse generator, and a distal respiratory sensor electrode or electrode array. This surgical intervention is specifically designed to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition characterized by repeated episodes of airway obstruction during sleep, often caused by the relaxation of the tongue which can block the throat. The hypoglossal nerve stimulator functions by detecting the patient's breathing patterns and delivering a mild electrical pulse to the hypoglossal nerve, which in turn prompts the tongue to move forward, thereby maintaining an open airway and facilitating normal breathing during sleep. The device comprises several components: a pulse generator, which is compact and similar in size to a quarter, a breathing sensor that monitors respiratory activity, and a stimulation electrode that is strategically placed around the hypoglossal nerve. These components are interconnected through tunneled electrical leads, allowing for effective communication between the sensor and the stimulator. The entire system is designed to be user-friendly, with the patient able to control the stimulation remotely and program it according to their needs. The implantation procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia, ensuring that the patient is comfortable and pain-free during the operation.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The hypoglossal nerve neurostimulator implantation is indicated for patients suffering from moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This condition is characterized by repeated episodes of airway obstruction during sleep, which can lead to disrupted sleep patterns and various health complications. The procedure is specifically aimed at individuals whose airway collapses during sleep due to the relaxation of the tongue, resulting in breathing difficulties.

  • Moderate to Severe OSA Patients diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, where traditional treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy may not be effective or tolerated.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the implantation of the hypoglossal nerve neurostimulator involves several critical steps to ensure proper placement and functionality of the device.

  • Step 1: Accessing the Hypoglossal Nerve The surgical process begins with an incision made in the neck beneath the jaw to access the hypoglossal nerve. During this step, the surgeon carefully identifies and protects surrounding structures, including the lingual and marginal mandibular nerves and the submandibular gland.
  • Step 2: Isolating the Hypoglossal Nerve Utilizing a microscope, the surgeon isolates the hypoglossal nerve and conducts testing with a bipolar stimulator to ensure proper nerve function and responsiveness.
  • Step 3: Placing the Lead Once the hypoglossal nerve is isolated, a lead is placed around the nerve to facilitate stimulation during the patient's breathing cycles.
  • Step 4: Inserting the Pulse Generator A second incision is made below the collarbone to create a pocket in the pectoralis fascia, where the pulse generator is securely placed. This generator is responsible for delivering electrical pulses to the hypoglossal nerve.
  • Step 5: Connecting the Components The hypoglossal stimulator array is then connected to the pulse generator through a tunneled lead, ensuring that the components work in unison.
  • Step 6: Placing the Breathing Sensor A second tunnel is created under the skin leading to the 6th intercostal space, where the breathing sensor is positioned. This sensor is secured to the fascia with permanent sutures and connected to the pulse generator, completing the system setup.

3. Post-Procedure

After the implantation of the hypoglossal nerve neurostimulator, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications. Post-procedure care may include instructions on how to manage the surgical site, signs of infection to watch for, and guidelines on resuming normal activities. Patients are advised on how to operate the device, including turning it on before sleep and adjusting settings as needed. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the device's functionality and the patient's response to treatment. In the event of complications such as device malfunction or infection, surgical revision or replacement of components may be necessary. If permanent removal of the device is required, it will be performed through the original incision sites to access and remove the pulse generator, chest sensor, and hypoglossal stimulator electrode.

Short Descr OPN MPLTJ HPGLSL NSTM ARY PG
Medium Descr OPEN IMPLTJ HPGLSL NRV NSTIM RA PG&RESPIR SENSOR
Long Descr Open implantation of hypoglossal nerve neurostimulator array, pulse generator, and distal respiratory sensor electrode or electrode array
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Device-intensive procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later; paid at adjusted rate.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) none
MUE 1
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
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.
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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).
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.
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.
74 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
X3 Episodic/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians who have broad responsibility for the comprehensive needs of the patient that is limited to a defined period and circumstance such as a hospitalization; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to the hospitalist's services rendered providing comprehensive and general care to a patient while admitted to the hospital
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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2022-01-01 Added Code added
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