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Official Description

Testing of autonomic nervous system function; cardiovagal innervation (parasympathetic function), including 2 or more of the following: heart rate response to deep breathing with recorded R-R interval, Valsalva ratio, and 30:15 ratio

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 95921 pertains to the testing of autonomic nervous system function, specifically focusing on cardiovagal innervation, which is a component of the parasympathetic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is crucial for regulating involuntary bodily functions, and it is divided into two main branches: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system is primarily responsible for the body's 'fight or flight' responses, including the regulation of blood pressure, while the parasympathetic nervous system, which includes cardiovagal innervation, plays a vital role in controlling heart rate and promoting a state of rest and digest. In the context of CPT® Code 95921, the assessment involves evaluating the parasympathetic function through various tests that measure heart rate responses under different conditions. These tests include the heart rate response to deep breathing, the Valsalva maneuver, and the calculation of the 30:15 ratio, which assesses the heart rate variability when transitioning from a lying to a standing position. An electrocardiographic (ECG) rhythm strip is utilized to record the heart rate and the R-R intervals, which are the times between successive heartbeats. The results of these tests provide valuable insights into the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, particularly the parasympathetic component, and help in diagnosing potential autonomic dysfunctions. The physician conducting the tests will review the data collected and generate a comprehensive written report detailing the findings of the autonomic function tests.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The testing associated with CPT® Code 95921 is indicated for evaluating the function of the autonomic nervous system, particularly the parasympathetic component. The following conditions or symptoms may warrant this testing:

  • Autonomic Dysfunction Patients exhibiting signs of autonomic dysfunction, which may include abnormal heart rate responses, dizziness, or syncope.
  • Cardiovascular Symptoms Individuals presenting with unexplained cardiovascular symptoms such as palpitations or irregular heartbeats.
  • Neurological Disorders Patients with neurological conditions that may affect autonomic regulation, such as diabetes mellitus or multiple sclerosis.
  • Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) Evaluation of patients suspected of having POTS, characterized by an excessive increase in heart rate upon standing.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 95921 involves several specific steps to assess cardiovagal innervation through various tests:

  • Deep Breathing Test The patient is instructed to perform deep breathing exercises. During this process, an electrocardiographic (ECG) rhythm strip is recorded to monitor heart rate changes. The R-R interval, which is the time between successive heartbeats, is evaluated to determine the heart rate response to deep breathing. A normal response indicates effective parasympathetic function.
  • Valsalva Maneuver The patient is then asked to perform the Valsalva maneuver, which involves attempting to exhale forcefully with the glottis closed, preventing air from escaping. This maneuver increases intrathoracic pressure and is expected to elicit a specific heart rate response. The ECG is used to record the R-R intervals during this maneuver, allowing for the assessment of parasympathetic function based on the heart rate changes observed.
  • 30:15 Ratio Calculation In the final step, the patient lies quietly on an examination table before being instructed to stand up. The longest R-R interval around the 30th heartbeat is compared to the shortest R-R interval around the 15th heartbeat to calculate the 30:15 ratio. This ratio provides insight into the autonomic response to postural changes, further evaluating the parasympathetic function.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the tests associated with CPT® Code 95921, the physician will review the collected data and analyze the results of the autonomic function tests. A written report detailing the findings will be generated, which may include interpretations of the heart rate responses observed during the tests. Patients may be advised on any necessary follow-up actions or further evaluations based on the results. It is important for patients to understand that the testing is non-invasive and typically does not require any special post-procedure care. However, they may be monitored briefly after the tests to ensure stability, especially if any symptoms were present prior to testing.

Short Descr AUTONOMIC NRV PARASYM INERVJ
Medium Descr TSTG ANS FUNCJ CARDIOVAGAL INNERVAJ PARASYMP
Long Descr Testing of autonomic nervous system function; cardiovagal innervation (parasympathetic function), including 2 or more of the following: heart rate response to deep breathing with recorded R-R interval, Valsalva ratio, and 30:15 ratio
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services
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 09 - Concept does not apply.
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) T2D - Other tests - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 7 - Other diagnostic nervous system procedures
59 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.
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
25 Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59.
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
HE Mental health program
Q5 Service furnished under a reciprocal billing arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Short Descriptor changed.
2010-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
1997-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1997.
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