Eli's Rehab Report
Surface EMGs
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Question: Our physiatrist performed a surface EMG on three extremities, but said CPT 95863 (Needle electromyography, three extremities with or without related paraspinal areas) is not the right code for it because surface EMGs do not require needles. However, he suggested that we might be able to use 95863 with one of the modifiers to denote unusual circumstances. Is there a modifier that might be right for this? Michigan Subscriber Answer: No. The fact that 95863 describes needle EMGs and your practice did not use a needle precludes you from using this code at all, with or without any modifiers. This would be an example of trying to "code close" to a procedure, which is not considered correct coding. The January 2002 CPT Assistant addressed this topic and recommended using 95999 (Unlisted neurological or neuromuscular diagnostic procedure) instead. Be sure to include a copy of your chart notes/operative report with the paper claim to describe precisely what the physiatrist did to the patient.
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Eli's Rehab Report
- CCI 8.3 Makes Billing Injections With Other Procedures More Complex
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By following guidelines from the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AAEM) for electrodiagnostic (EDX) tests, [...] - You Be the Coder:
Surface EMGs
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Question: How should we code the claim when the physiatrist performs two levels of bilateral [...] - Reader Questions:
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SI Joint Injection
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Multiple Finger Injections
Question: How should I bill Medicare when we do more than one finger injection on [...] - Reader Questions:
Paravertebral Nerve Block
Question: What is the most accurate code for a paravertebral nerve block for relieving severe [...] - Reader Questions:
Prolonged Services for Day-After Visit
Question: One of our physiatrists evaluates a hospital patient on day one. The following day [...] - Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation