CPT code 95961 represents intracranial cortical and subcortical brain mapping performed by placing electrodes on or into the brain and electrically stimulating tissue to provoke seizures and localize seizure onset zones during or before neurosurgical procedures. This procedure is critical for planning resections in patients with epilepsy and for minimizing risk to eloquent cortex. Nationally, intracranial monitoring and mapping play a central role in specialized epilepsy centers and complex neurosurgical care.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and service characteristics, coverage and coding considerations relevant to major payers, common billing modifiers, and typical sites of service. The publication highlights benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement patterns where available and summarizes policy updates affecting authorization and documentation requirements.

The content provides clinicians, coding professionals, and policy staff with the procedural definition, expected clinical indications, and payer-focused considerations needed to support accurate coding and claims submission for CPT code 95961. Data not available in the input will be noted explicitly in relevant sections.