AMA CPT® Assistant - 2006 Issue 9 (September)
Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Tests (95860-95904) (September 2006)
September 2006 pages 5-7 Coding Communication:Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Tests (95860-95904) Needle electromyographic (EMG) procedures commonly include insertion of a needle electrode into skeletal muscle to measure electrical activity and assess physiologic function. Percutaneous, extracellular needle electrodes are placed into a selected muscle group. Testing is performed with the muscle at rest, with a mild voluntary contraction, and with maximal muscle contraction (where recruitment pattern and interference are noted). Unlike nerve conduction studies, EMG does not involve external electrical stimulation. Muscle action potentials--normal and abnormal--are physiologically generated. In various diseases of the motor system, the following typical electrical abnormalities...
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Article Overview
This article explains the scope of electromyography and nerve conduction testing in CPT, with emphasis on the 2006 additions and the distinction between related procedure categories. It is useful for coding professionals, billers, and clinicians who need a broad understanding of what the article covers and how it frames these diagnostic services within CPT guidance.
Why This Topic Matters
These diagnostic studies are commonly used in neuromuscular evaluation, and the article helps readers understand the general CPT framework surrounding their reporting and the 2006 updates.
Article Sections
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September 2006 pages 5-7
Introductory publication information for the article content.
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Needle Electromyography
General discussion of needle electromyographic procedures, their clinical context, and the CPT code group associated with them. The section also notes newer code additions for specific anatomic areas and includes related illustrative examples.
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Clinical Example and Description of Procedure
A paired example and procedural narrative illustrating one of the needle electromyography services discussed in the article.
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Needle electromyography, hemidiaphragm
Discussion of the hemidiaphragm needle electromyography service, including its clinical setting and a paired example with procedural narrative.
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Clinical Example and Description of Procedure
A paired example and procedural narrative illustrating the hemidiaphragm electromyography service discussed in the article.
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Needle EMG guidance with chemodenervation
Overview of add-on services used with chemodenervation procedures, including the general relationship between stimulation guidance and needle EMG guidance. The section also references the linked procedure family in CPT.
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Clinical Example and Description of Procedure
A paired example and procedural narrative illustrating the chemodenervation guidance service discussed in the article.
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Nerve Conduction Studies
General explanation of nerve conduction testing, the types of nerves studied, and the clinical situations in which these tests are used. The section also discusses reporting considerations and the relation between nerve conduction testing and EMG.
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Sources
Cited reference materials supporting the article content.
What You Will Learn
- How the article distinguishes electromyography from nerve conduction studies at a high level
- Which CPT code families are associated with needle EMG, add-on guidance services, and nerve conduction studies
- What general clinical contexts are discussed for electromyography and nerve conduction testing
- How the 2006 additions are positioned within the CPT framework
- What broad reporting considerations are mentioned for these diagnostic studies
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding educators
- Billing staff
- Physicians and qualified health care professionals
- Neurology and neuromuscular clinicians
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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