Somatosensory Testing

Short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) are covered to evaluate proximal nerve segments and central somatosensory pathway integrity when conduction abnormalities or central lesions are suspected, and for intraoperative monitoring during spinal surgeries with risk of added nerve or spinal cord injury. SEPs are indicated for specific central nervous system conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis, myelopathy, spinal cord trauma, syringomyelia) but are not indicated for routine peripheral neuropathy evaluation when EMG/NCS suffice, nor for typical cervical or lumbar root decompression procedures. Coverage requires documentation of clinical history, neurologic examination, relevant prior diagnostic test results (imaging, EMG, NCS), and detailed SEP reporting by a trained interpreter.

"Short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) are covered to evaluate integrity of proximal peripheral nerve segments and central somatosensory pathways (brain, brainstem, spinal cord) when ..."