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Excellus BlueCross BlueShieldAll Plans · Coverage · Durable Medical Equipment & Supplies · Pain Management, Neurology, Gastroenterology +1 moreHigh impact

Cranial and Auricular Neuromodulation 1.01.58

Effective date
May 21, 2026
Identified
Jun 20, 2026

Summary

New policy 1.01.58 with an effective date of May 21, 2026 classifies several cranial and auricular neuromodulation methods as investigational. The investigational methods are cranial electrical stimulation, external trigeminal nerve stimulation (Monarch), transcutaneous non-implantable vagus nerve stimulation (gammaCore Sapphire), transcutaneous supraorbital neurostimulation (Cefaly), and auricular electrostimulation, including percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation (PENFS) such as P-Stim, IB-Stim and NSS-2 Bridge. The policy does not address cranial electrotherapy stimulation for the treatment of behavioral health conditions, or implantable vagus nerve stimulation and vagus nerve blocking therapy.

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What to do

Action · 4 steps
01Already effective May 21, 2026: Billing team: The policy classifies cranial electrical stimulation, external trigeminal nerve stimulation, transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation, transcutaneous supraorbital neurostimulation and auricular electrostimulation, including PENFS, as investigational.
02The policy lists CPT 0783T, HCPCS A4543, A4596, E0721, E0732, E0733 and E0735 as (E/I) Experimental/Investigational, and marks HCPCS E0720 as (E/I) when used for the Cefaly device.
03CPT 64567 (IB-Stim) is listed with the note Effective 1/1/26.
04Services are contract dependent, and if a product does not cover a service, the medical policy criteria do not apply.

Codes mentioned

64567A4541A4543A4596E0720E0721E0732E0733E0735

Original notice

Cranial and Auricular Neuromodulation 1.01.58
excellusbcbs.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
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Related changes

See all Excellus BlueCross BlueShield changes →
Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Vagus Nerve Blocking Therapy 7.01.05MediumEffective Aug 20, 2026 · Nervous Systems (Neurology)Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation 3.01.09HighEffective Jan 23, 2026 · Behavioral Health (Psychiatry/Psychology)Non-Invasive Surface Electrical Stimulation for Pain and Rehabilitation 1.01.61MediumEffective May 21, 2026 · Durable Medical Equipment & SuppliesBrowse every Excellus BlueCross BlueShield change in the policy list

Related policy hubs

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield policiesPain ManagementNeurologyGastroenterologyPediatricsCode 64567Code A4541Code A4543Code A4596Code E0720Code E0721Code E0732Code E0733Code E0735

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