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Needle electromyography (EMG) is a specialized diagnostic procedure utilized to assess the electrical activity of muscles and the functionality of the nerves that control them. This test is particularly valuable for patients experiencing symptoms such as pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the extremities. The procedure is often conducted in conjunction with nerve conduction studies, which evaluate the speed and strength of signals traveling along the nerves. During needle EMG, one or more fine needle electrodes are inserted through the skin into the muscle tissue, allowing for the recording of electrical signals generated by muscle fibers. These recordings can reveal abnormal electrical activity indicative of various neuromuscular disorders, including but not limited to inflammation of the muscles, pinched nerves, intervertebral disc herniation, peripheral nerve damage, muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and myasthenia gravis. The test involves the patient performing specific movements of the extremity to capture electrical activity during both muscle contraction and relaxation. The resulting data is displayed graphically as waveforms, which represent the action potentials of the muscle fibers in response to nerve stimulation. Additionally, nerve conduction studies complement the needle EMG by using flat metal disc electrodes placed on the skin to measure the conduction time and amplitude of electrical impulses traveling through the nerves. This comprehensive evaluation provides critical insights into the integrity of the neuromuscular system, enabling healthcare providers to diagnose and manage various neuromuscular conditions effectively. The findings from both the needle EMG and nerve conduction studies are compiled into a detailed report by the physician, which aids in determining the appropriate course of treatment for the patient.
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Needle electromyography (EMG) is indicated for the evaluation of various symptoms and conditions affecting the neuromuscular system. The following are explicitly provided indications for performing this procedure:
The procedure for needle electromyography (EMG) involves several key steps to ensure accurate assessment of muscle and nerve function. The following procedural steps are explicitly outlined:
After the needle electromyography (EMG) procedure, patients may experience some mild discomfort or soreness at the electrode insertion sites, which typically resolves quickly. It is important for patients to follow any post-procedure instructions provided by the physician, which may include avoiding strenuous activities for a short period. The physician will compile a detailed report of the findings from the EMG and nerve conduction studies, which will be discussed with the patient during a follow-up appointment. This report will help guide further diagnostic or therapeutic interventions based on the results obtained from the procedure.
| Short Descr | MUSC TST DONE W/NERV TST LIM | Medium Descr | NEEDLE EMG EA EXTREMITY W/PARASPINL AREA LIMITED | Long Descr | Needle electromyography, each extremity, with related paraspinal areas, when performed, done with nerve conduction, amplitude and latency/velocity study; limited (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | 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 | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | Type of Service (TOS) | 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T2D - Other tests - other | MUE | 4 | CCS Clinical Classification | 7 - Other diagnostic nervous system procedures |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 95907 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC S Nerve conduction studies; 1-2 studies | 95908 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC S Nerve conduction studies; 3-4 studies | 95909 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC S Nerve conduction studies; 5-6 studies | 95910 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC S Nerve conduction studies; 7-8 studies | 95911 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC S Nerve conduction studies; 9-10 studies | 95912 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC S Nerve conduction studies; 11-12 studies | 95913 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC S Nerve conduction studies; 13 or more studies |
| 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. | 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. | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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). | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 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 | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | 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. | X2 | Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services | GP | Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 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). | 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). | 53 | Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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). | 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.) | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | PO | Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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 | T4 | Left foot, fifth digit | T5 | Right foot, great toe | X4 | Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner |
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Guideline information changed. |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Guideline information changed. |
| 2012-01-01 | Added | Added |
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