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Needle electromyography using a single fiber electrode, designated by CPT® Code 95872, is a specialized diagnostic procedure that focuses on the electrical activity of individual muscle fibers. This technique employs a single fiber electrode, which features a recording surface of 25 micrometers (µ) that is exposed at a port on the side of the electrode. The high pass filter set at 500 hertz (Hz) enhances the precision of the recordings. The primary purpose of this procedure is to assess neuromuscular function by measuring action potentials from individual muscle fibers. This allows for the evaluation of critical parameters such as fiber density, neuromuscular jitter, and blocking. Neuromuscular jitter indicates irregularities in the transmission of nerve impulses, while neuromuscular blocking refers to instances where nerve transmission fails. During the procedure, one or more SFEMG electrode needles are strategically placed within the muscle fibers. The muscle is then activated either through voluntary contraction by the patient or via electrical stimulation using a stimulating needle electrode. Recordings are captured from 20 fibers of the same muscle, and these recordings are subsequently analyzed to determine the presence of jitter, blocking, and/or fiber density. The findings from this detailed analysis are compiled into a written report by the physician, providing essential insights into the neuromuscular health of the patient.
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Needle electromyography using a single fiber electrode (CPT® Code 95872) is indicated for the evaluation of various neuromuscular conditions. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:
The procedure for needle electromyography using a single fiber electrode involves several critical steps to ensure accurate measurement and analysis of muscle fiber activity. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the needle electromyography procedure, patients may experience mild discomfort or soreness at the insertion sites, which typically resolves quickly. It is important for the physician to provide post-procedure care instructions, including recommendations for activity levels and any signs of complications to watch for. Patients may resume normal activities unless otherwise advised. The physician will review the findings with the patient during a follow-up appointment, discussing the implications of the results and any further diagnostic or therapeutic steps that may be necessary based on the findings.
| Short Descr | NDL EMG SINGLE FIBER ELTRD | Medium Descr | NEEDLE EMG W/1 FIBER ELECTRODE QUAN MEAS JITTER | Long Descr | Needle electromyography using single fiber electrode, with quantitative measurement of jitter, blocking and/or fiber density, any/all sites of each muscle studied | 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) | 0 - 150% 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 | 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 | 4 | CCS Clinical Classification | 7 - Other diagnostic nervous system procedures |
| 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 | 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. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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. | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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) | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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