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Phrenic Nerve Stimulation for Central Sleep Apnea
Effective date
Oct 1, 2026
Identified
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
Phrenic nerve stimulation for central sleep apnea is considered investigational in all situations. The remedē System from Zoll Medical is the only phrenic nerve stimulation device currently approved by the FDA for central sleep apnea, with an approved indication for moderate to severe central sleep apnea in adults since October 2017. The investigational code list covers insertion, removal, repositioning, and interrogation codes for phrenic nerve stimulators, and HCPCS L8697 was added as new on 10/01/2026.
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What to do
Action · 3 steps
01Already effective 2026-10-01: Billing team: HCPCS L8697, an external accessory for use with implantable phrenic nerve stimulation devices, replacement, each, is listed among the investigational codes for this service.
02Phrenic nerve stimulation for central sleep apnea is considered investigational in all situations, and BCBSMS makes no payment for services not documented to be Medically Necessary.
03Services considered investigational are not considered medically necessary under the definition of investigative.
Codes mentioned
332763327733278332793328033281332873328893150931519315293153L8697
Original notice
Phrenic Nerve Stimulation for Central Sleep Apnea
bcbsms.com · Always check the source before changing claims.