Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: I need help with this nerve conduction study (NCS) claim: Notes indicate that the PM specialist performed a right median and right ulnar NCS. Additionally, she performed a left ulnar NCS. Is this a 95907 or 95908 claim? I’m wondering if the right and left ulnar studies are separate.

Minnesota Subscriber

Answer: If the PM specialist performs bilateral ulnar studies, it counts as two studies. So you should report 95908 (Nerve conduction studies; 3-4 studies) for the service, as the PM specialist performed a right median NCS in addition to the two ulnar studies.

Good idea: Since the provider performed studies on both sides of the body — and duplicated one test on the left and right side (ulnar) — there could be some confusion when the payer processes the claim. You might want to consider submitting a clarification in the notes that explains the situation. Something like “performed ulnar NCS on right and left sides.”