Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: Out provider performed a test that was referred to in the notes as a “MEG.” I’m not familiar with that term; could you explain what MEG is and how to code for it?

New York Subscriber

Answer: A magnetoencephalography, or MEG, is a test that “records and analyzes the patient’s spontaneous brain magnetic activity by using magnetoencephalography, a neuroimaging technique that uses sensors to form images of the magnetic field produced within the brain,” according to Codify by AAPC.

You’ll choose from the following codes for MEG testing, depending on encounter specifics:

• 95965 (Magnetoencephalography (MEG), recording and analysis; for spontaneous brain magnetic activity (eg, epileptic cerebral cortex localization))
• 95966 (… for evoked magnetic fields, single modality (eg, sensory, motor, language, or visual cortex localization))
• +95967 (Magnetoencephalography (MEG), recording and analysis; for evoked magnetic fields, each additional modality (eg, sensory, motor, language, or visual cortex localization) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure))

Remember: The +95967 code is an add-on code, for use only with a primary code. According to CPT^® 2021, “Use +95967 in conjunction with 95966.”