Wiki EMG prior to a thyroidectomy

[cathy.kirk@kdmc.kdhs.us]

I am fairly new to coding procedures and have a question about EMG's. I have a claim denied by Mcare where the physician coded 95920 with 95861. The DX code was 241.1. According to LCD edits, 241.1 does not meet medical necessity. Well, Medicare did pay the 95920, but denied the 95861 due to medical necessity. What would be the reason for an EMG before a thyroidectomy? Is there a way to get this paid?

 

[dimmitta]

If the patient is having any kind of voice disturbance/aphonia or hoarseness you could try using dx 784.49 or disturbance of skin sensation 782.0 either of these should cover cpt 95861. No guarantees, though it couldn't hurt to try