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    OpenPayerBilling CodesNeurostimulators Analysis-Programming ProceduresCPT cpt-95976-cranial-nerve-neurostimulator-interrogation-simple-programming
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    CPT 95976: Cranial Nerve Neurostimulator Analysis and Minor Programming

    Medicare pays $39 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 95976 describes analysis of a cranial nerve neurostimulator system by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional with simple or minor programming adjustments; the service is an device interrogation and adjustment procedure typically performed in an ambulatory surgical center, outpatient clinic, or office-based setting and is focused on assessing device function and making basic parameter changes to optimize therapy delivery.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM), Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®), Lumbar Microdiscectomy.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult with an implanted cranial nerve neurostimulator (for example, a vagus nerve stimulator) who presents for routine follow-up to assess device function and to make minor, noncomplex adjustments. The visit is scheduled in an outpatient neurology or neurosurgery clinic or an ambulatory device clinic. The clinician (a neurologist, neurosurgeon, or pain management physician) interrogates the neurostimulator using the manufacturer programmer, reviews patient symptom response and device telemetry, documents lead impedances and battery status, and makes simple parameter changes such as adjusting pulse width, amplitude, or basic mode settings. The encounter typically lasts 15–30 minutes and does not involve complex reprogramming, surgical revision, or lead manipulation. Common scenarios include routine device checks, patient-reported worsening of symptoms prompting minor amplitude changes, or scheduled battery and lead surveillance. The setting is commonly an outpatient clinic, ambulatory surgical center for device-related visits, or hospital outpatient department when performed during an inpatient stay for concurrent care.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    95970Electronic analysis of implanted neurostimulator pulse generator system with simple or complex programmingPerformed for analysis of implanted neurostimulators; 95976 specifically addresses cranial nerve systems, while 95970 is a broader code for other neurostimulator systems.

    | 95972 | Electronic analysis of implanted neurostimulator pulse generator system with simple or complex programming, cranial nerve | Used for more complex programming or analysis of cranial nerve neurostimulators when work exceeds the scope of 95976.

    | 95886 | Needle electromyography, cranial nerve supplied muscles | May be performed when assessing cranial nerve function adjunctively to device analysis in select cases.

    | 99213 | Office or other outpatient visit, established patient, low to moderate complexity | Common E/M code billed when a separately identifiable evaluation and management service is performed on the same day as device programming (use 25 modifier as appropriate).

    | 10060 | Incision and drainage of abscess (example operative code) | Listed as an example of procedures that might occur in the postoperative period requiring coordination; not routine for simple programming.

    | 64555 | Percutaneous implantation of neurostimulator electrode array; cranial nerve | Performed at implantation; programming with 95976 commonly occurs during follow-up after implantation.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    95Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RH0000X
    2080P0207X
    2084N0400X
    207K00000X
    363L00000X
    364S00000X
    2083X0100X
    207WX0109X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    20 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    F45.41Pain disorder exclusively related to psychological factors
    F45.9Somatoform disorder, unspecified
    G44.1Vascular headache, not elsewhere classified
    G50.0Trigeminal neuralgia
    G50.1Atypical facial pain
    G50.9Disorder of trigeminal nerve, unspecified
    G51.0Bell's palsy
    G51.1Geniculate ganglionitis
    G52.2Disorders of vagus nerve
    G54.2Cervical root disorders, not elsewhere classified

    Showing 1–10 of 20

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Neurology/Neurosurgery1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM)Kaiser Permanente2027-01-01
    Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®)bcbsvermont2026-11-01
    Lumbar Microdiscectomyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Cervical Intervertebral Discuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Responsive Neurostimulation for Focal EpilepsyPremera Bluecross2026-10-14
    Intraoperative MonitoringProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Intraoperative MonitoringProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    High-Intensity Focused UltrasoundMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Vagal Nerve StimulationAmbetter Nevada2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-95970-NEUROSTIMULATOR-DEVICE-ELECTRONIC-ANALYSIS

    CPT 95970: Electronic Analysis of Implanted Neurostimulator

    CPT-95971-NEUROSTIMULATOR-ELECTRONIC-ANALYSIS-SIMPLE-REPROGRAMMING

    CPT 95971: Electronic Analysis and Simple Reprogramming of Implanted Neurostimulator

    CPT-95972-NEUROSTIMULATOR-ELECTRONIC-ANALYSIS-COMPLEX-PROGRAMMING

    CPT 95972: Electronic Analysis and Complex Programming of Implanted Neurostimulator

    CPT-95977-CRANIAL-NERVE-NEUROSTIMULATOR-ANALYSIS-COMPLEX-PROGRAMMING

    CPT 95977: Cranial Nerve Neurostimulator Analysis and Complex Programming

    CPT-95980-GASTRIC-NEUROSTIMULATOR-INTRAOPERATIVE-ANALYSIS-PROGRAMMING

    CPT 95980: Intraoperative Gastric Neurostimulator Analysis and Programming

    CPT-95981-GASTRIC-NEUROSTIMULATOR-ELECTRONIC-ANALYSIS-NO-REPROGRAMMING

    CPT 95981: Subsequent Electronic Analysis of Gastric Neurostimulator

    CPT-95982-GASTRIC-NEUROSTIMULATOR-INTERROGATION-REPROGRAMMING

    CPT 95982: Gastric Neurostimulator Interrogation and Reprogramming

    CPT-95983-NEUROSTIMULATOR-ANALYSIS-PROGRAMMING-15-MINUTES

    CPT 95983: Analysis and Programming of Brain Neurostimulator, ≤15 min

    CPT-95984-BRAIN-NEUROSTIMULATOR-PROGRAMMING-ADDL-15-MIN

    CPT 95984: Brain Neurostimulator Programming, Additional 15 Minutes

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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