Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: When coding for bilateral H-reflex studies in the hospital, should I report 95934-26 and 95934-26-50, or only 95934-50?

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Answer: When coding for the professional service only, report 95934 (H-reflex, amplitude and latency study; record gastrocnemius/soleus muscle) with modifiers -26 (professional component) and -50 (bilateral procedure) appended: 95934-26-50.
 
Code 95934 describes noninvasive H-reflex studies involving assessment of the gastrocnemius/soleus muscle (in the calf). Testing of other muscles may be reported using  95936 (... record muscle other than gastrocnemius/soleus muscle). Both of these codes describe unilateral procedures, and CPT specifies that modifier -50 may be appended if the studies are performed bilaterally. Modifier -26 is appropriately appended to indicate that the physician did not use his or her own equipment.