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Needle electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic procedure utilized to assess the functionality of muscles and nerves that are innervated by cranial nerves. This procedure specifically targets the muscles supplied by various cranial nerves, which include the Oculomotor nerve (CN III), Trochlear nerve (CN IV), Trigeminal nerve (CN V), Abducens nerve (CN VI), Facial nerve (CN VII), Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), Vagus nerve (CN X), Spinal accessory nerve (CN XI), and Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII). During the EMG, a specialized needle electrode is inserted through the skin and into the muscle of interest, allowing for the measurement of electrical activity. The electrical responses generated by the muscle are recorded and analyzed. Following the procedure, the physician interprets the EMG data and compiles a comprehensive written report detailing the findings. It is important to note that when the EMG is conducted on one of the paired cranial nerves on a single side of the body, the appropriate code to use is 95867. Conversely, when both paired cranial nerves are evaluated, the correct code is 95868.
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Needle electromyography (EMG) is indicated for the evaluation of muscle and nerve function in patients presenting with symptoms related to cranial nerve dysfunction. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:
The needle electromyography procedure involves several key steps to ensure accurate assessment of cranial nerve function:
After the needle electromyography procedure, patients may experience mild discomfort or soreness at the insertion site, which typically resolves quickly. It is advisable for patients to rest and avoid strenuous activities for a short period following the procedure. The physician will provide specific post-procedure care instructions, including any signs of complications to watch for, such as excessive bleeding or infection at the needle site. The results of the EMG will be discussed with the patient during a follow-up appointment, where the physician will explain the findings and any necessary next steps in management or treatment.
| Short Descr | NDL EMG CRANIAL NRV MUSC BI | Medium Descr | NEEDLE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY CRANIAL NRV MUSCLE BI | Long Descr | Needle electromyography; cranial nerve supplied muscles, bilateral | 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) | 2 - 150% payment adjustment 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 | Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple | Type of Service (TOS) | 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule) | 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. | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 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. | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 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). | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GP | Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| 2003-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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