Short-latency somatosensory evoked potential study with stimulation in the trunk or head, recorded over the central nervous system.
- Medicare
- $170.01
- Work RVU
- 0.53
- Global, days
- Region
- Spine
Documentation requirements
What must appear in the operative or office note to support the claim.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in 2 cited references ↓
- Clinical question
- Stimulation sites on the trunk or head
- Recording sites and latencies
- Normal values
- Interpretation
Applicable modifiers
Modifiers commonly billed with this code.
Source · AMA CPT modifier descriptors · CMS NCCI Policy Manual
What this code covers
Source · Editorial summary grounded in 2 cited references ↓
Use 95927 for SSEP testing where the stimulation site is on the trunk or head rather than a limb. Trigeminal nerve stimulation and dermatomal stimulation over the trunk are examples.
It is rarely ordered from an orthopedic office. The closest spine use is dermatomal SSEP to assess a specific thoracic level, but the clinical value of dermatomal SSEPs is debated and payers often question it. Most spine workups rely on limb SSEPs (95925, 95926, 95938) instead.
If the practice sees this on a claim from an outside lab, check that the stimulation sites in the report were truly trunk or head. A limb study coded as 95927 is an easy denial on review. Ask the lab for the stimulation map if the narrative is vague, before the claim goes out.
RVU & reimbursement
Component RVUs and Medicare national rate. Actual payment varies by GPCI locality.
Source · CMS Physician Fee Schedule, RVU26A · January 2026
Work RVU vs. total RVU
The work RVU (0.53) is the surgeon's own effort — the figure physician pay and productivity targets are built on. The total RVU (5.09) adds practice overhead and malpractice, and is what drives the Medicare payment below.
| Work RVU | 0.53 |
| Practice expense RVU | 4.5 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.06 |
| Total RVU | 5.09 |
| Medicare national rate | $170.01 |
| Global period | days |
Payment by site of service
Medicare pays different rates by setting. HOPD typically pays substantially more than ASC for the same procedure.
Source · CMS OPPS Addendum B·ASC HCPCS payment rates·2026
| Setting | Medicare rate (national) |
|---|---|
Office (PFS non-facility) Procedure performed in physician's office | $170.01 |
HOPD (APC 5722) Hospital outpatient department | $220.60 |
Common denial reasons
The recurring reasons claims for CPT 95927 get rejected.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in CMS NCCI edits, AAOS coding appeals, and cited references ↓
- Limb stimulation coded as trunk or head
- Payer considers dermatomal SSEP unproven for the diagnosis
- No clear indication documented
- Duplicate testing
Frequently asked questions
Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 2 cited references ↓
01What is 95927 used for?
02Is dermatomal SSEP covered?
03Who usually performs 95927?
Sources & references
Editorial content was developed using the following public sources.
- 01CMS Physician Fee Schedule 2026
- 02cms.govhttps://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/national-correct-coding-initiative-ncci-edits
Mira Scribe
Mira Scribe documents sensory levels and dermatomal findings from the exam, so any evoked potential order reflects the exact level in question.
See how Mira captures CPT 95927 documentation