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Needle electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic procedure that assesses the electrical activity of muscles and the function of the nerves that control them. Specifically, CPT® Code 95866 refers to the performance of needle EMG on the hemidiaphragm, which is one half of the diaphragm muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. This procedure is crucial for evaluating the functionality of the hemidiaphragm, which plays a vital role in respiration. The evaluation can help identify neuromuscular disorders affecting the diaphragm, such as phrenic nerve injury or diaphragm paralysis. Additionally, needle EMG may be utilized intraoperatively during surgical procedures involving the diaphragm to monitor its function in real-time. During the procedure, a specialized EMG electrode is carefully inserted through the skin and abdominal layers into the diaphragm, allowing for the recording of electrical responses while the patient breathes and holds their breath. The physician then analyzes these recordings and compiles a comprehensive written report detailing the findings, which is essential for further clinical decision-making.
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Needle electromyography of the hemidiaphragm is indicated for various clinical scenarios where assessment of diaphragm function is necessary. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:
The procedure for needle electromyography of the hemidiaphragm involves several critical steps to ensure accurate assessment and safety for the patient.
After the needle electromyography of the hemidiaphragm, the patient may experience mild discomfort or soreness at the insertion site, which typically resolves quickly. The physician may provide specific post-procedure care instructions, including monitoring for any unusual symptoms such as excessive bleeding or signs of infection. Patients are usually advised to avoid strenuous activities for a short period following the procedure. The results of the EMG study will be discussed with the patient during a follow-up appointment, where the physician will explain the findings and any necessary next steps in their care plan.
| Short Descr | NEEDLE EMG HEMIDIAPHRAGM | Medium Descr | NEEDLE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY HEMIDIAPHRAGM | Long Descr | Needle electromyography; hemidiaphragm | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 3 - The usual payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does not apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | STV-Packaged Codes | Type of Service (TOS) | 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T1E - Lab tests - glucose | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 7 - Other diagnostic nervous system procedures |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 95940 | Addon Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Continuous intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring in the operating room, one on one monitoring requiring personal attendance, each 15 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 95941 | Addon Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Not valid for Medicare purposes APC N Continuous intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring, from outside the operating room (remote or nearby) or for monitoring of more than one case while in the operating room, per hour (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | G0453 | Add-on Code Medicare Coverage: Carrier Priced MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Continuous intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring, from outside the operating room (remote or nearby), per patient, (attention directed exclusively to one patient) each 15 minutes (list in addition to primary procedure) |
| 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | 50 | Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 52 | Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 99 | Multiple modifiers: under certain circumstances 2 or more modifiers may be necessary to completely delineate a service. in such situations modifier 99 should be added to the basic procedure, and other applicable modifiers may be listed as part of the description of the service. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | PO | Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2006-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2006. |
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