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Official Description

Electronic analysis of implanted neurostimulator pulse generator/transmitter (eg, contact group[s], interleaving, amplitude, pulse width, frequency [Hz], on/off cycling, burst, magnet mode, dose lockout, patient selectable parameters, responsive neurostimulation, detection algorithms, closed loop parameters, and passive parameters) by physician or other qualified health care professional; with simple cranial nerve neurostimulator pulse generator/transmitter programming by physician or other qualified health care professional

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 95976 refers to the electronic analysis of an implanted neurostimulator pulse generator or transmitter, which is a device used to deliver electrical impulses to cranial nerves for therapeutic purposes. This procedure involves a comprehensive assessment of various parameters associated with the neurostimulator, including contact groups, interleaving, amplitude, pulse width, frequency (measured in Hertz), on/off cycling, burst mode, magnet mode, dose lockout, patient-selectable parameters, responsive neurostimulation, detection algorithms, closed-loop parameters, and passive parameters. The analysis is conducted by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional to ensure the device is functioning optimally and to make necessary adjustments to the programming of the neurostimulator. The implanted neurostimulator system typically consists of a pulse generator that is surgically placed in a subcutaneous pocket, with leads that are tunneled from the nerve being stimulated to the generator. This setup allows for the delivery of electrical impulses to treat various conditions, such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and depression. Regular electronic analysis is crucial for monitoring the device's performance, as it helps in documenting any logged events, battery status, electrode impedance, and current programmed settings. During the programming phase, the healthcare professional adjusts specific parameters to achieve optimal therapeutic stimulation. For a simple cranial nerve neurostimulator pulse generator/transmitter, adjustments may involve three or fewer parameters, while for a complex system, four or more parameters may be modified. This iterative process of stimulation trials continues until the desired therapeutic effect is achieved, ensuring that the patient receives the most effective treatment possible.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The electronic analysis and programming of an implanted neurostimulator pulse generator/transmitter, as described by CPT® Code 95976, is indicated for patients who require ongoing management of cranial nerve stimulation for various medical conditions. The specific indications include:

  • Chronic Pain - Patients experiencing persistent pain that may be alleviated through neurostimulation techniques.
  • Epilepsy - Individuals with epilepsy who may benefit from stimulation of cranial nerves to help control seizures.
  • Depression - Patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression where neurostimulation can provide therapeutic benefits.

2. Procedure

The procedure for electronic analysis and programming of the neurostimulator pulse generator/transmitter involves several key steps, which are detailed as follows:

  • Step 1: Initial Assessment - The physician or qualified healthcare professional begins by reviewing the patient's medical history and any previous settings or adjustments made to the neurostimulator. This assessment helps in understanding the patient's response to the current therapy and identifying any issues that may need to be addressed during the analysis.
  • Step 2: Electronic Analysis - The healthcare professional conducts a thorough electronic analysis of the implanted neurostimulator. This includes evaluating various parameters such as contact groups, interleaving, amplitude, pulse width, frequency, on/off cycling, burst mode, magnet mode, dose lockout, and other programmable settings. The analysis is crucial for determining the device's operational status and effectiveness in delivering therapeutic stimulation.
  • Step 3: Documentation - All findings from the electronic analysis are meticulously documented. This documentation includes logged events from the neurostimulator, battery status, electrode impedance, and current programmed settings. Accurate record-keeping is essential for ongoing patient management and for any future adjustments that may be required.
  • Step 4: Programming Adjustments - Based on the analysis, the healthcare professional makes necessary adjustments to the programming of the neurostimulator. For a simple cranial nerve neurostimulator, adjustments may involve modifying three or fewer parameters, while for a complex system, four or more parameters may be adjusted. This step is critical to optimize therapeutic stimulation and enhance patient outcomes.
  • Step 5: Stimulation Trials - The healthcare professional conducts multiple trials of nerve stimulation, adjusting the selected parameters as needed. This iterative process continues until optimal therapeutic stimulation is achieved, ensuring that the patient receives the most effective treatment tailored to their specific needs.

3. Post-Procedure

After the electronic analysis and programming of the neurostimulator pulse generator/transmitter, the patient may be monitored for any immediate effects of the adjustments made. It is important to provide the patient with information regarding potential changes in their symptoms and to schedule follow-up appointments for ongoing evaluation of the device's performance. The healthcare professional may also advise the patient on any necessary lifestyle modifications or precautions to ensure the continued effectiveness of the neurostimulator therapy. Regular follow-up assessments are essential to maintain optimal device function and to make further adjustments as needed based on the patient's response to treatment.

Short Descr ALYS SMPL CN NPGT PRGRMG
Medium Descr ELEC ALYS IMPLT SMPL CN NPGT PRGRMG
Long Descr Electronic analysis of implanted neurostimulator pulse generator/transmitter (eg, contact group[s], interleaving, amplitude, pulse width, frequency [Hz], on/off cycling, burst, magnet mode, dose lockout, patient selectable parameters, responsive neurostimulation, detection algorithms, closed loop parameters, and passive parameters) by physician or other qualified health care professional; with simple cranial nerve neurostimulator pulse generator/transmitter programming by physician or other qualified health care professional
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
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
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) none
MUE 1
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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.
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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.
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
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.
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).
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.)
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.
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
FS Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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
JE Administered via dialysate
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
Date
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2019-01-01 Added Added
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