Summary & Overview
CPT 95923: Sudomotor Function Test for Sweat Gland Innervation
CPT code 95923 denotes a clinical test of sudomotor function to evaluate the autonomic nerves that supply sweat glands. This diagnostic procedure is used in evaluating autonomic dysfunction and small-fiber neuropathies and has clinical relevance for patients with unexplained sweating abnormalities, orthostatic symptoms, or other signs of dysautonomia. Nationally, use of targeted autonomic testing like sudomotor assessment informs diagnostic pathways for neurology and autonomic disorders and intersects with coverage policies from major payers.
Key payers covered in this overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical purpose of CPT code 95923, typical sites of service, and how the service fits into diagnostic evaluation of autonomic disorders. The publication also summarizes benchmarks and payer policy themes, highlights relevant clinical context for appropriate utilization, and outlines common billing modifiers and documentation considerations where data are available.
This summary is written for a national audience and is intended to orient clinicians, coding staff, and policy analysts to the clinical and billing context of CPT code 95923. Data not available in the input will be noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 95923 documents a test of sudomotor function to evaluate the autonomic nerves that innervate sweat glands. The procedure assesses the peripheral autonomic nervous system component that controls sweating, which is often examined when patients present with unexplained autonomic symptoms such as abnormal sweating, dizziness, or symptoms suggestive of small-fiber neuropathy.
Service type: Autonomic nervous system testing — sudomotor function assessment
Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department, ambulatory surgical center, or specialized neurology clinic
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult referred by neurology or endocrinology for evaluation of autonomic dysfunction presenting with symptoms such as unexplained orthostatic dizziness, abnormal sweating (hyperhidrosis or anhidrosis), syncope, gastrointestinal dysmotility, or peripheral neuropathy with suspected small-fiber involvement. The clinic visit includes a focused autonomic history and physical exam, review of medications and comorbidities (diabetes, Parkinson disease, autoimmune neuropathies), and informed consent for testing. The provider performs sudomotor testing using quantitative sudomotor axon reflex testing (QSART) or equivalent methodology in a controlled outpatient procedure room or autonomic laboratory. The procedure typically involves placement of electrodes or iontophoresis chambers on distal sites (forearm, calf, foot), stimulation with acetylcholine, and measurement of sweat output over several minutes. Results are interpreted by the performing clinician and documented in the medical record, with comparison to normative values and correlation to other autonomic tests (heart rate variability with deep breathing, tilt-table testing) when available. The typical site of service is an outpatient hospital outpatient department, ambulatory surgical center, or specialized neurology/autonomic clinic. Patients are positioned supine or seated, monitored for vital signs during testing, and discharged the same day with instructions and follow-up arranged for abnormal findings.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
25 | Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure |