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Medical & Coding Policies
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Printer Friendly Version Diagnostic Uses of Sensory Evoked Potentials (SEPs)
DESCRIPTIONWhen the body is exposed to a light, a sound, or a touch, the brain responds by making certain types of brain waves. These waves are picked up by wires attached to the skin, then they are analyzed by a computer. Finally, a physician interprets the brain wave pattern. These waves are also called evoked potentials. Waves caused by lights are called visual evoked potentials. Such responses may indicate optic nerve involvement; i.e., by multiple sclerosis. Waves caused by sounds are called auditory evoked potentials. These may be used to differentiate sensory from neural hearing loss. Waves caused by touch are called somatosensory evoked potentials. These responses may be used to diagnose physiologic changes at various levels of the central nervous system.With certain types of disease, the brain waves caused by sights, sounds, and touch, are abnormal (either the waves happen too late after the sound or light, or the waves are smaller than normal). One theory suggests that measuring sensory evoked potentials might help the surgeon avoid damaging the nerve system. See separate policy Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring (sensory evoked potentials, motor-evoked potentials, EEG monitoring).
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POLICYWhen services are medically necessary:Visual Evoked Potentials (CPT 95930) ICD-9 Diagnosis
Auditory Evoked Potentials (CPT 92585, 92586) ICD-9 Diagnosis
Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (CPT 95925, 95926, 95927) ICD-9 Diagnosis
When services are not medically necessary:
ICD-9 Diagnosis
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POLICY EXCEPTIONSNone
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POLICY GUIDELINESThe coverage guidelines outlined in the Medical Policy Manual should not be used in lieu of the Member's specific benefit plan language.
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POLICY HISTORY8/1997: Approved by Medical Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC)3/26/2002: Policy reformatted with tables, ICD-9 procedure code 95.46 deleted, non-covered codes added, fourth and/or fifth digit added to 240, 781.9, 192, 210, 225, 230, 231, 235, 237, 238, 239, 250.2, 250.3, 389, 952, 800, and 240. 8/2002: Reviewed by MPAC; policy title "Sensory Evoked Potentials" renamed "Diagnostic Uses of Sensory Evoked Potentials (SEPs), separate policy for Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring (sensory evoked potentials, motor-evoked potentials, EEG monitoring) 1/20/2003: CPT code 92585 description updated 3/10/2004: Code Reference section updated, ICD-9 diagnosis code 333.0 fourth digit added Auditory Evoked Potentials, ICD-9 diagnosis codes 345.3, 436, 780.39 deleted Auditory Evoked Potentials, ICD-9 diagnosis codes 070.1, 070.20-070.23, 070.41-070.49, 070.6, 780.02 added Auditory Evoked Potentials, ICD-9 diagnosis code 240.0-240.9 expanded to 240.0-250.13 Somatosensory Evoked Potentials not medically necessary, ICD-9 diagnosis 250.40-250.93, 251.1-279.8 added Somatosensory Evoked Potentials not medically necessary 10/20/2004: Code Reference section updated, ICD-9 diagnosis code range 070.20-070.23, 070.41-070.49, 250.20-250.23, 250.30-250.33, 389.0-389.9, 952.00-952.9, 240.0-250.13, 250.40-250.93 listed separately, ICD-9 diagnosis code 379.54, 386.00, 386.01, 386.02, 386.03, 386.04, 744.00, 744.01, 744.02, 744.03, 744.04, 744.05, 744.09 added covered codes 9/19/2007: Code reference section updated. ICD-9 2007 revisions added to policy 1/9/2008: Description clarified for sensory and neural hearing loss testing for Auditory Evoked Potentials. "For children under age 5, to determine the type and degree of hearing problems or to determine the developed status of nerves", removed from the Auditory Evoked Potentials POLICY section for sensory and neural hearing loss. ICD-9 codes 389.05, 389.06, 389.15, and 389.16 added to covered codes for Auditory Evoked Potentials. 9/16/2008: Annual ICD-9 updates effective 10-1-2008 applied 02/18/2011: Added the following ICD-9 codes as covered for CPT codes 92585 and 92586: 386.10, 386.11, 386.12, 386.19. 03/08/2013: Policy reviewed; no changes.
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SOURCE(S)HCFA - Medicare Program. National Coverage Decisions. Federal Register. Vol. 54; No. 160; 8/21/89.Hayes Medical Technology Directory March, 1988 TEC (Technology Evaluation Center) Assessment of Diagnostic Uses of Sensory Evoked Potentials (SEPs)
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CODE REFERENCEThis is not intended to be a comprehensive list of codes. Some covered procedure codes have multiple descriptions.The code(s) listed below are ONLY covered if the procedure is performed according to the "Policy" section of this document. Covered Codes
Non-Covered Codes
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