Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: When performing electromyography (EMG) on cranial nerve supplied muscles via the endotracheal tube sticker electrode, the sticker electrode measures one channel of EMG from both sides. Thus, it is bilateral monitoring with a single channel. Would that be considered unilateral (95867) or bilateral (95868)?

South Carolina Subscriber 

Answer: Neither. According to CPT Assistant Dec-ember 2007, 95865 (Needle electromyography; larynx) should be reported as opposed to 95867 or 95868.

Needle EMG of the larynx is performed to diagnosis laryngeal nerve and muscle disorders and for intraoperative monitoring during laryngeal surgery. Code 95865 represents inherently bilateral recordings and should not be billed with modifier 50 (Bilateral procedure). For a unilateral study, report modifier 52 (Reduced services) in conjunction with 95865