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Official Description

Sleep study, unattended, simultaneous recording; heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory analysis (eg, by airflow or peripheral arterial tone), and sleep time

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 95800 refers to an unattended sleep study that is conducted using a portable sleep study system, typically in the patient's home or another ambulatory setting. This type of sleep study is increasingly utilized due to the growing backlog at traditional sleep study centers and the significant number of patients who reside far from these facilities. The unattended sleep study captures essential physiological parameters, including heart rate, oxygen saturation, and respiratory analysis, which can be performed through methods such as airflow measurement or peripheral arterial tone (PAT). Unlike comprehensive polysomnography, which is conducted in a sleep center and records a wider array of data, this code is specifically for studies that monitor fewer parameters. The procedure involves the use of portable devices that can assess airflow through two primary types: one that employs a thermal sensor placed on the upper lip and another that utilizes a mask covering the nose and mouth. These devices work in conjunction with heart rate and pulse oximetry data to evaluate any respiratory disturbances that may occur during sleep. The PAT method measures changes in arterial pulsatile volume in the finger, which reflects the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. This technique indirectly identifies apnea events by detecting surges in sympathetic activation that occur at the end of an apnea episode. The setup of the portable device is straightforward; it is programmed to record data as the patient sleeps. If airflow is being measured, a snug-fitting mask is applied, or a thermal sensor is positioned on the upper lip. Additionally, a heart rate monitor and an oximetry device are attached to the patient's finger. In cases where PAT is utilized, a specialized finger device that incorporates the PAT technology along with heart rate and oximetry monitoring is employed. The data collected during the sleep study is then analyzed to provide insights into the patient's sleep patterns and potential disturbances. It is important to use CPT® Code 95800 when sleep time is recorded, and CPT® Code 95801 when sleep time is not measured.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The unattended sleep study represented by CPT® Code 95800 is indicated for patients who require assessment of their sleep patterns and potential sleep disorders. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Patients exhibiting symptoms such as loud snoring, episodes of breathing cessation during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, or difficulty concentrating may be evaluated for OSA.
  • Insomnia Individuals experiencing chronic difficulty in falling or staying asleep may benefit from a sleep study to identify underlying issues.
  • Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Patients with symptoms of uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move them, particularly during the evening or night, may require evaluation.
  • Hypersomnia Patients who experience excessive daytime sleepiness despite adequate sleep may be assessed to determine the cause.

2. Procedure

The procedure for conducting an unattended sleep study using CPT® Code 95800 involves several key steps that ensure accurate data collection and analysis. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Device Setup The portable sleep study device is set up and programmed according to the manufacturer's instructions. This includes ensuring that all necessary sensors and monitors are properly connected and functioning.
  • Step 2: Patient Preparation The patient is prepared for the study by applying the appropriate sensors. If airflow is to be measured, a snug-fitting mask is placed over the patient's mouth and nose, or a thermal sensor is positioned on the upper lip. This setup is crucial for accurately capturing airflow data during sleep.
  • Step 3: Monitoring Heart Rate and Oxygen Saturation A heart rate monitor and pulse oximetry device are attached to the patient's finger. These devices will continuously record heart rate and oxygen saturation levels throughout the night, providing essential data for analysis.
  • Step 4: PAT Measurement If the study includes PAT measurement, a specialized finger device that incorporates PAT technology, along with heart rate and oximetry monitoring, is attached to the patient's finger. This device will record arterial pulsatile volume changes, which are indicative of sympathetic nervous system activity.
  • Step 5: Data Recording Once the patient is comfortably settled for sleep, the ambulatory system begins recording data. The device captures heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory analysis, and sleep time as the patient sleeps, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of sleep quality and disturbances.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the unattended sleep study, the patient will typically be instructed to remove the monitoring devices. The collected data will then be analyzed to evaluate the patient's sleep patterns and identify any potential sleep disorders. The results of the study will be reviewed by a qualified healthcare professional, who will interpret the findings and discuss them with the patient. Depending on the results, further diagnostic testing or treatment options may be recommended. It is essential for the patient to follow up with their healthcare provider to address any identified issues and to discuss the next steps in their care plan.

Short Descr SLP STDY UNATTENDED
Medium Descr SLP STDY UNATND W/HRT RATE/O2 SAT/RESP/SLP TIME
Long Descr Sleep study, unattended, simultaneous recording; heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory analysis (eg, by airflow or peripheral arterial tone), and sleep time
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
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 Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple
Type of Service (TOS) 1 - Medical Care
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) T2D - Other tests - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 227 - Other diagnostic procedures (interview, evaluation, consultation)
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
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).
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.
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
24 Unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during a postoperative period: the physician or other qualified health care professional may need to indicate that an evaluation and management service was performed during a postoperative period for a reason(s) unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 24 to the appropriate level of e/m service.
25 Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59.
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).
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GX Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
HC Adult program, geriatric
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
Q5 Service furnished under a reciprocal billing arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
X2 Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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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