Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: I noticed that some of the new EEG and VEEG codes for 2020 specify that an EEG technologist must perform the procedure. Could you please tell me how CPT^® defines an EEG technologist and which codes this rule applies to?

Hawaii Subscriber

Answer: An electroencephalogram (EEG) technologist is “an individual who is qualified by education, training, licensure/certification/regulation (when applicable) in seizure recognition,” per the new CPT^® 2020 guidelines. “An EEG technologist(s) performs EEG setup, takedown when performed, patient education, technical description, maintenance, and seizure recognition when within his or her scope of practice and as allowed by law, regulation, and facility policy (when applicable).”

• You will see that the descriptors for the following new codes mention an EEG technologist:
  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) through 95710 (Electroencephalogram (EEG), without video, review of data, technical description by EEG technologist, each increment of 12-26 hours; with continuous, real-time monitoring and maintenance)
• 95711 (Electroencephalogram with video (VEEG), review of data, technical description by EEG technologist, 2-12 hours; unmonitored) through 95716 (Electroencephalogram with video (VEEG), review of data, technical description by EEG technologist, each increment of 12-26 hours; with continuous, real-time monitoring and maintenance).