Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction
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This policy governs coverage of percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation for abdominal pain associated with disorders of gut-brain interaction, including irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia. The service is considered investigational.
The policy title and investigational statement were revised to address abdominal pain-related disorders of gut-brain interaction, including irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia, rather than irritable bowel syndrome alone.
CPT code 64567 was added as the replacement for CPT code 0720T effective January 1, 2026.
CPT code 0720T was removed from the current coding table.
References were added during the August 2026 annual review after the literature review was updated through March 10, 2026.
Coverage Criteria
Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation
The service is considered investigational.
Examples include IB Stim, First Relief v1, and TEA Device.
Investigational
The service is considered investigational.
Detailed policy criteria are not provided in the available policy history.
Coding
| 64567 | Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation, cranial nerves, without implantation (new code effective 01/01/26) |
| 0720T | Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation, cranial nerves, without implantation (code termed effective 01/01/26) |
| 64567 | New CPT code added effective January 1, 2026; replaces CPT code 0720T. |
| 0720T | CPT code previously used for percutaneous nerve stimulation; removed from the current coding table. |
| QHH | FDA product code for the device category. |
Provider Actions
Investigational service
Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation for abdominal pain in individuals with disorders of gut-brain interaction, including but not limited to irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia, is considered investigational. Examples include IB Stim, First Relief v1, and TEA Device.
Investigational status may result in denial
Requests for percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation for abdominal pain-related disorders of gut-brain interaction, including irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia, may be denied because the policy identifies the service as investigational.
Background
Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation (PENFS) is a non-implantable treatment that delivers electrical impulses through thin percutaneous electrodes placed at ear locations where peripheral branches of cranial nerves lie beneath the skin. The stimulation is intended to affect nerve pathways connecting the brain and digestive system, including brain regions involved in processing abdominal pain.
PENFS has been studied as a nonpharmacologic option for abdominal pain-related disorders of gut-brain interaction, including irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia. Available evidence includes one small randomized controlled trial and observational, uncontrolled studies; the evidence review concluded that it is insufficient to determine improvement in net health outcomes.
Definitions
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