Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: Is there a separate code for "inching" nerve conduction studies?

Vermont Subscriber

Answer: You won't find a unique CPT code for inching right now. You can only bill for the one service when you perform the inching test on the same nerve that a standard nerve conduction study (NCS) was already performed on in that same session.

Keep this in mind: You can bill an NCS code (95900-95904) for an inching study if you perform the study on a nerve other than one that is already being tested, and you position the recording while performing the test.

You should code an inching study the same way as a conventional nerve conduction study: the actual number of recording or stimulating points isn't a factor. Refer to Appendix J of CPT for a list of nerves to determine which of these can be coded as separate units of 95900-95904.