2025 CPT code 95962

Functional cortical and subcortical mapping by stimulation and/or recording of electrodes on brain surface, or of depth electrodes, to provoke seizures or identify vital brain structures; each additional hour of attendance by a physician or other qualified health care professional.

Code 95962 is an add-on code for each additional hour of physician or other qualified healthcare professional attendance during functional cortical and subcortical mapping. It should be used in conjunction with 95961 for the first hour of attendance. Modifier 26 should be appended if reporting the professional component only, and modifier TC if reporting the technical component only when performed by a separate entity.

Modifiers may be applicable to this code. Modifier 26 should be appended if reporting only the professional component of the service. Modifier TC should be appended if reporting only the technical component unless the hospital provided the technical component. Do not append a modifier when reporting the global service if one provider renders both the professional and technical components.

Medical necessity for this procedure is established by the need to accurately localize brain function, particularly in cases of epilepsy surgery, tumor resection, or other procedures where vital brain structures are at risk. The additional hour of mapping must be clearly justified by the complexity of the case or the need for more extensive mapping.

The physician applies electric current to a small area of the brain surface, either through electrodes on the surface or placed deeper within the brain. The goal is to induce a seizure and map the brain to pinpoint the abnormal area responsible for seizures. This information guides the surgeon during the procedure to precisely remove the affected portion of the brain. This procedure may also involve functional cortical and subcortical mapping to identify critical brain areas responsible for language, motor skills, sensory perception, and vision.

In simple words: This is an add-on procedure for each additional hour spent mapping the brain's surface or the area below the cortex.The doctor uses electrodes placed on or in the brain, stimulating it electrically to trigger a seizure.This helps locate the area where seizures start, which is especially useful during or before brain surgery.

Functional cortical and subcortical mapping by stimulation and/or recording of electrodes on brain surface, or of depth electrodes, to provoke seizures or identify vital brain structures; each additional hour of attendance by a physician or other qualified health care professional (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) (Use 95962 in conjunction with 95961).

Example 1: A patient undergoing pre-surgical evaluation for epilepsy has electrodes placed on the brain surface. The physician uses electrical stimulation to map the brain and identify the seizure focus. The initial mapping takes one hour (95961), and an additional hour (95962) is required to complete the mapping., During brain surgery, the surgeon needs to identify the areas of the brain responsible for language before removing a tumor. Cortical and subcortical mapping is performed for two hours to ensure the preservation of vital language functions. The first hour is reported with 95961, and the second hour with 95962., A patient with uncontrolled seizures is undergoing long-term EEG monitoring with functional cortical and subcortical mapping.The physician spends three hours during the monitoring session performing the mapping. The first hour of mapping is reported using 95961, and each additional hour is reported with 95962 x 2.

Documentation should include a detailed operative report describing the procedure, the areas of the brain mapped, the type of stimulation used, the duration of the mapping, and the findings. Any observed seizures or other neurological events should also be documented. Documentation should also support the medical necessity of the additional hour of mapping.

** This code is for the physician's time spent in functional cortical and subcortical mapping, including reviewing the recordings and providing a report. The technical component of the long-term EEG monitoring, if performed, is reported separately.

  • Modifier TC rule: Modifier TC can be appended to this code when reporting only the technical component of the procedure unless the hospital provided the technical component.
  • Specialties:Neurosurgery, Neurology
  • Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital
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