Wiki EMG/NCS

[hbell339@gmail.com]

Hello all. We have a new provider doing EMG's, this is very new coding for our staff. Provider would like to bill a 95912, I do not think this is correct. Can someone help me with this? Also for any EMG coders, how did you learn this specialized code set? I do not see much info on EMG education. Appreciate any feedback! TGIF))) Heather

 

[natashalage]

hello, I am not an expert and learn some from feedback I received from senior coder. There is no tip sheet.
1. For NCS (nerve conduction studies), you have to count how many nerves were studied. In your case 9 in bold color, 95911. Please read the instructions in CPT book and use Appendix for nerves count.
2. For EMG muscles, you count how many muscles of the particular body part were done. In your case, I think 11 of the Right arm. You just need to know was it up to 5 muscles or over 5 muscles ( read the CPT code). so for your case, it's over 5 muscles of the same right arm/body part= 95886
Your codes are 95911 and 95886.
3. Code 95885-95886 Only when NCS were also done ( again, it's in CPT book in the header). Paraspinals related to the same body part count are not counted as a separate muscle.
Again, I am not an expert but these are my codes based on my personal studying, researching and attending AAPC local chapter webinars- Neurology (strongly recommend).

 

[hbell339@gmail.com]

hello, I am not an expert and learn some from feedback I received from senior coder. There is no tip sheet.
1. For NCS (nerve conduction studies), you have to count how many nerves were studied. In your case 9 in bold color, 95911. Please read the instructions in CPT book and use Appendix for nerves count.
2. For EMG muscles, you count how many muscles of the particular body part were done. In your case, I think 11 of the Right arm. You just need to know was it up to 5 muscles or over 5 muscles ( read the CPT code). so for your case, it's over 5 muscles of the same right arm/body part= 95886
Your codes are 95911 and 95886.
3. Code 95885-95886 Only when NCS were also done ( again, it's in CPT book in the header). Paraspinals related to the same body part count are not counted as a separate muscle.
Again, I am not an expert but these are my codes based on my personal studying, researching and attending AAPC local chapter webinars- Neurology (strongly recommend).

Thank you for taking the time to answer, it is greatly appreciated. Under sensory and mixed nerve under appendix (F,1)radial thumb and G- Ulnar wrist have their own letters- why are we not counting those? Why are we counting them under R median (first bold on EMG)?? I will never master this unless I understand the appendix and nerve count.
Please let me know your thoughts on that.

 

[natashalage]

Hello again, I am So sorry but I don't know how to use appendix. It is confusing for me too when i tried to apply the guidance from the Header in the book for these CPT To Appendix list, it was not clear. I hope someone with experience will step in and explain it to us.