Coding Code Description CPT

95905 Motor and/or sensory nerve
conduction, using preconfigured electrode array(s), amplitude and
latency/velocity study, each limb, includes F-wave study when performed,
with interpretation and report HCPCS

G0255 Current perception threshold/sensory nerve conduction test (SNCT), per limb

Introduction

A nerve conduction test looks at how well nerves work. The purpose of the test is to see if a nerve is damaged. Two electrodes — patches attached to the skin that can transmit electrical signals — are placed along the path of the nerve being tested. An electrical signal is sent to the first electrode, with the second electrode receiving and recording the signal. The time it takes the electrical signal to travel between the two electrodes indicates how well the signal travels along the nerve. Specialized equipment is needed to do these tests. Newer types of portable equipment have been developed to try to do nerve conduction tests. Portable equipment is not as specialized and doesn’t require special training to use it. Portable equipment for nerve conduction studies is considered unproven. More studies are needed to show if the nerve conduction studies done on portable equipment by non-specialists gives information that is the same as or better information than standard nerve conduction studies. Note: The Introduction section is for your general knowledge and is not to be taken as policy coverage criteria. The rest of the policy uses specific words and concepts familiar to medical professionals. It is intended for providers. A provider can be a person, such as a doctor, nurse, psychologist, or dentist. A provider also can be a place where medical care is given, like a hospital, clinic, or lab. This policy informs them about when a service may be covered.

Policy Coverage

Testing Investigational Automated point-of-care nerve conduction tests Automated point-of-care nerve conduction tests are considered investigational.

Related Information N/A

Evidence Review Description

Portable devices have been developed to provide point-of-care (POC) nerve conductions studies (NCSs). These devices have computational algorithms that can drive stimulus delivery, measure and analyze the response, and report study results. Automated nerve conduction could be used in various settings, including primary care, without the need for specialized training or equipment.

Background Electrodiagnostic Testing

Nerve conduction studies (NCSs) and needle electromyography (EMG), when properly performed by a trained practitioner, are considered the criterion standard of electrodiagnostic testing for the evaluation of focal and generalized disorders of peripheral nerves. However, the need for specialized equipment and personnel may limit the availability of electrodiagnostic testing for some patients.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a pressure-induced entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel, resulting in sensorimotor disturbances. This syndrome is defined by its characteristic clinical symptoms, which may include pain, subjective feelings of swelling, and nocturnal paresthesia.

Diagnosis

A variety of simple diagnostic tools are available, and a positive response to conservative management (steroid injection, splints, modification of activity) can confirm the clinical diagnosis.1 Electrodiagnostic studies may also be used to confirm the presence or absence of a median neuropathy at the wrist, assess the severity of the neuropathy, and assess associated diagnoses. Nerve conduction is typically assessed before the surgical release of the carpal tunnel, but the use of EMG in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is controversial. One proposed use of automated nerve conduction devices is to assist in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

Electrodiagnostic studies are useful in the evaluation of lumbosacral radiculopathy in the presence of disabling symptoms of radiculopathy or neuromuscular weakness. These tests are most commonly considered in patients with persistent disabling symptoms when neuroimaging findings are inconsistent with clinical presentation. Comparisons of automated point-of-care

(POC) NCSs with EMGs and standardized NCSs have been evaluated as alternative electrodiagnostic tools.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is relatively common in patients with diabetes, and the diagnosis is often made clinically through the physical examination. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can lead to morbidity including pain, foot deformity, and foot ulceration.

Diagnosis

Clinical practice guidelines have recommended using simple sensory tools such as the 10-g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament or the 128-Hz vibration tuning fork for diagnosis.2 These simple tests show the presence of neuropathy defined by electrophysiologic criteria with a high level of accuracy. Electrophysiologic testing may be used in research studies and may be required in cases with an atypical presentation. POC nerve conduction testing has been proposed as an alternative to standard electrodiagnostic methods for the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and, in particular, for detecting neuropathy in patients with diabetes.

Normative Values

NeuroMetrix (2009) published reference ranges for key nerve conduction parameters in healthy subjects.3 Data analyzed were pooled from 5 studies, including from 92 to 848 healthy subjects with data on the median, ulnar, peroneal, tibial, and sural nerves. Subject age and height were found to affect the parameters. In addition to providing reference ranges for clinicians to use (providing that NCS techniques are consistent with those described in the article), the authors stated that clinicians could use the same method to develop their reference ranges. At this time, the proposed reference ranges have not been validated in a clinical patient population. Due to the lack of uniform standards in nerve conduction testing in the United States, the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) identified 7 criteria that would identify high-quality NCS articles that would be appropriate for using as referent standards (2016). AANEM identified normative criteria for nerve conduction velocity tests based on a review of high-quality published studies (see Table 1). In March 2017, the American Academy of Neurology affirmed AANEM’s recommendations.5