Effective Date:

a)    This policy will apply to all services performed on or after the above Revision date which will become the new effective date.

b)    For all services referred to in this policy that were performed before the revision date, contact customer service for the rules that would apply.

Video EEG monitoring and prolonged EEG monitoring are covered when considered medically necessary. Preauthorization is required.

1.    Ambulatory Electroencephalographic Monitoring:
Ambulatory EEG monitoring is considered medically necessary for any of the following conditions:

                                     I.    Diagnosis of a seizure disorder (epilepsy) -- the member has episodes strongly suggestive of epilepsy and when history, examination, and routine EEG do not resolve the diagnosis uncertainties; or

                                    II.    Classification of seizure type in members who have epilepsy poorly controlled -- only ictal recordings can reliably be used to classify seizure type (or types) which is important in selecting appropriate anti-epileptic drug therapy; or

                                  III.    Localization of the epileptogenic region of the brain during pre-surgical evaluation -- to identify appropriate surgical candidates.

Duration of Monitoring: The goal of ambulatory EEG is usually achieved within 48 hours.

2.    Video Electroencephalographic (EEG) Monitoring

                                     I.    Video EEG monitoring is considered medically necessary for the following indications, when the diagnosis cannot be made by neurologic examination, standard EEG studies, and non-neurologic causes of symptoms (e.g., syncope, cardiac arrhythmias) have been ruled out:

A.   To differentiate epileptic events from psychogenic seizures; or

B.   To establish the first diagnosis of epilepsy; or

C.   To establish the specific type of epilepsy in poorly characterized seizure types where such characterization is medically necessary to select the most appropriate therapeutic regimen.

In addition, Video EEG monitoring may be considered medically necessary to establish the diagnosis of epilepsy in very young children.

Note: Once the cause of seizures and specific type of epilepsy has been established, continued video EEG monitoring (e.g., for monitoring response to therapy or titrating medication dosages) is considered not medically necessary. In these cases, response to therapy can be assessed using standard EEG monitoring or ambulatory cassette EEG monitoring.

                                    II.    Video EEG monitoring is medically necessary for identification and localization of a seizure focus in persons with intractable epilepsy who are being considered for surgery.

                                  III.    Duration of Monitoring:
The duration of video EEG monitoring that is considered medically necessary depends on the frequency of the person`s symptoms that are being investigated, and generally can be completed in 3 to 5 days. Continued monitoring will be reviewed on a day by day basis.

Note: Most persons requiring video EEG monitoring do not require an acute level of care. Acute care may be appropriate for persons at high risk for status epilepticus with withdrawal of antiepileptic medications, sleep deprivation, or photic stimulation.  Inpatient status for this purpose must be preauthorized.

Codes Used In This BI:

95700             Electroencephalogram (EEG) continuous recording, with video when performed, setup, patient education, and takedown when performed, administered in person by EEG technologist, minimum of 8 channels

95705             Electroencephalogram (EEG), without video, review of data, technical description by EEG technologist, 2-12 hours; unmonitored

95706 …        with intermittent monitoring and maintenance

95707 …        with continuous, real-time monitoring and maintenance

95708             Electroencephalogram (EEG), without video, review of data, technical description by EEG technologist, each increment of 12-26 hours; unmonitored

95709 …        with intermittent monitoring and maintenance

95710 …        with continuous, real-time monitoring and maintenance

95711             Electroencephalogram with video (VEEG), review of data, technical description by EEG technologist, 2-12 hours; unmonitored

95712 ….       with intermittent monitoring and maintenance

95713 …        with continuous, real-time monitoring and maintenance

95714             Electroencephalogram with video (VEEG), review of data, technical description by EEG technologist, each increment of 12-26 hours; unmonitored

95715 …        with intermittent monitoring and maintenance

95716 …        with continuous, real-time monitoring and maintenance

95717             Electroencephalogram (EEG), continuous recording, physician or other qualified health care professional review of recorded events, analysis of spike and seizure detection, interpretation and report, 2-12 hours of EEG recording; without video

95718 …        with video (VEEG)

95719             Electroencephalogram (EEG), continuous recording, physician or other qualified health care professional review of recorded events, analysis of spike and seizure detection, each increment of greater than 12 hours, up to 26 hours of EEG recording, interpretation and report after each 24-hour period; without video

95720 …        with video (VEEG)

95721             Electroencephalogram (EEG), continuous recording, physician or other qualified health care professional review of recorded events, analysis of spike and seizure detection, interpretation, and summary report, complete study; greater than 36 hours, up to 60 hours of EEG recording, without video

95722 …        greater than 36 hours, up to 60 hours of EEG recording, with video (VEEG)

95723 …        greater than 60 hours, up to 84 hours of EEG recording, without video

95724 …        greater than 60 hours, up to 84 hours of EEG recording, with video (VEEG)

95725 …        greater than 84 hours of EEG recording, without video

95726 …        greater than 84 hours of EEG recording, with video (VEEG)

95950             prolonged EEG monitoring (code deleted eff 01/01/2020)
95951             Video EEG monitoring (code deleted eff 01/01/2020)
95953             prolonged EEG monitoring (code deleted eff 01/01/2020)

95956             prolonged EEG monitoring (code deleted eff 01/01/2020)

1. Cascino GD. Use of routine and video electroencephalography. Neurol Clin. 2001;19(2):271-287.
2. Sheth RD. Intractable pediatric epilepsy: Presurgical evaluation. Semin Pediatr Neurol. 2000;7(3):158-165.
3. Bowman ES, Coons PM. The differential diagnosis of epilepsy, pseudoseizures, dissociative identity disorder, and dissociative disorder not otherwise specified. Bull Menninger Clin. 2000;64(2):164-180.
4. Cascino GD. Clinical indications and diagnostic yield of video-electroencephalographic monitoring in patients with seizures and spells. Mayo Clin Proc. 2002;77(10):1111-1120.
5. Cascino GD. Video-EEG monitoring in adults. Epilepsia. 2002;43 Suppl 3:80-93.
6. Cragar DE, Berry DT, Fakhoury TA, et al. A review of diagnostic techniques in the differential diagnosis of epileptic and nonepileptic seizures. Neuropsychol Rev. 2002;12(1):31-64.
7. Ross SD, Estok R, Chopra S, et al. Management of newly diagnosed patients with epilepsy: A systematic review of the literature. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 39 (Contract 290-97-0016 to MetaWorks, Inc.). AHRQ Publication No. 01-E038. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; September 2001.
8. Hayes Technology Directory.  Video Electroencephalogram (VEEG) for Diagnosis and Management of Epilepsy in Adults.  Published October 31,2013.