CPT® Code 95706

Official Description

Electroencephalogram (EEG), without video, review of data, technical description by EEG technologist, 2-12 hours; with intermittent monitoring and maintenance

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 95706 refers to an electroencephalogram (EEG) procedure that is conducted without video recording, specifically focusing on the review of data and a technical description provided by an EEG technologist. This procedure is characterized by a duration of 2 to 12 hours and includes intermittent monitoring and maintenance. The primary purpose of a long-term EEG is to capture and analyze brain wave activity over an extended period, which is crucial for diagnosing various neurological conditions. The time for this procedure is measured from the moment the actual recording begins and continues for the entire duration of the recording process.

Long-term EEGs are particularly valuable in identifying the specific type and location of seizures, monitoring the effectiveness of ongoing treatment, and distinguishing between seizure disorders and other neurological abnormalities. Additionally, they can help determine the potential for surgical intervention in cases of epilepsy. In critically ill patients, extended EEG services may be employed to detect new or adverse neurological changes that could indicate a deterioration in their condition.

The technical aspects of this procedure include the EEG technologist's responsibilities, which encompass uploading the data generated by the EEG equipment, reviewing the raw data, annotating and editing recognized events—both those generated by the patient and those detected by the machine—and archiving the reviewed data for further evaluation by a physician or qualified personnel. A written report is also produced, documenting the technologist's review of the data and any technical interventions that were performed during the procedure. For cases where unmonitored technician services are provided, alternative codes such as 95705 and 95708 are applicable, while codes 95706 and 95709 are designated for instances involving intermittent monitoring and maintenance. Continuous monitoring and maintenance during the entire recording period are reported using codes 95707 and 95710.

1. Indications

The procedure represented by CPT® Code 95706 is indicated for various neurological assessments and monitoring. The following conditions and situations warrant the use of this extended EEG service:

Seizure Disorders The procedure is performed to diagnose specific types and locations of seizures, aiding in the differentiation between seizure disorders and other neurological abnormalities.
Monitoring Treatment It is utilized to monitor the effectiveness of current treatment regimens for epilepsy or other seizure-related conditions.
Surgical Evaluation The EEG may help determine if a patient’s epilepsy is amenable to surgical treatment, providing critical data for surgical planning.
Neurological Changes In seriously ill patients, the procedure is indicated to screen for new or adverse neurological changes that may arise during their treatment.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 95706 involves several key steps that ensure the accurate capture and analysis of brain wave activity over a specified duration. The following outlines the procedural steps:

Preparation for EEG Recording The patient is prepared for the EEG by placing electrodes on the scalp to measure electrical activity in the brain. The technician ensures that the electrodes are securely attached and that the patient is comfortable for the duration of the recording.
Initiation of Recording Once the electrodes are in place, the EEG recording is initiated. The time is recorded from the moment the actual recording begins, and it continues for a minimum of 2 hours up to a maximum of 12 hours, depending on the specific requirements of the procedure.
Intermittent Monitoring Throughout the recording period, the EEG technologist performs intermittent monitoring and maintenance. This includes overseeing the quality of the EEG recording and conducting real-time data reviews at least every 2 hours to ensure the integrity of the data being collected.
Data Review and Annotation The technologist reviews the raw EEG data, annotating and editing recognized events, which may include both patient-generated and machine-detected occurrences. This step is crucial for identifying significant patterns or abnormalities in brain activity.
Data Archiving After the recording is complete, the reviewed data is stored or archived for further analysis by a physician or other qualified personnel. This ensures that the data can be accessed for future reference or detailed evaluation.
Documentation Finally, the technologist prepares a written report documenting the review of the data, including any technical interventions that were performed during the procedure. This report is essential for the physician's assessment and for billing purposes.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the EEG procedure coded as CPT® 95706, the patient may be monitored for any immediate effects or reactions to the procedure. The technologist ensures that the electrodes are safely removed and that the patient is comfortable. The written report generated during the procedure is then made available to the physician for further interpretation and diagnosis. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the findings of the EEG and to determine any necessary changes to the patient's treatment plan based on the results. Additionally, if any significant neurological changes are detected during the monitoring period, appropriate interventions may be initiated promptly.

Short Descr	EEG WO VID 2-12HR INTMT MNTR
Medium Descr	EEG W/O VIDEO BY TECH 2-12 HR INTERMITTENT MNTR
Long Descr	Electroencephalogram (EEG), without video, review of data, technical description by EEG technologist, 2-12 hours; with intermittent monitoring and maintenance
Status Code	Carriers Price the 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	01 - Procedure must be performed under the general supervision of a physician.
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
Type of Service (TOS)	1 - Medical Care
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS)	none
MUE	1

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.