Eli's Rehab Report
Surface EMGs
Question: Our physiatrist performed a surface EMG on three extremities, but said CPT 95863 (Needle electromyography, three extremities with or without related paraspinal areas) is not the right code for it because surface EMGs do not require needles. However, he suggested that we might be able to use 95863 with one of the modifiers to denote unusual circumstances. Is there a modifier that might be right for this? Michigan Subscriber Answer: No. The fact that 95863 describes needle EMGs and your practice did not use a needle precludes you from using this code at all, with or without any modifiers. This would be an example of trying to "code close" to a procedure, which is not considered correct coding. The January 2002 CPT Assistant addressed this topic and recommended using 95999 (Unlisted neurological or neuromuscular diagnostic procedure) instead. Be sure to include a copy of your chart notes/operative report with the paper claim to describe precisely what the physiatrist did to the patient.
answer.
Eli's Rehab Report
- CCI 8.3 Makes Billing Injections With Other Procedures More Complex
To keep up with the new edition of the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI), which takes [...] - Follow AAEM Guidelines for EDX Testing
By following guidelines from the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AAEM) for electrodiagnostic (EDX) tests, [...] - You Be the Coder:
Surface EMGs
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - ICD-9 Coding Corner:
Forget That Fifth Digit? Expect Denials
Practices that omit a required fifth digit on ICD-9 Codes , such as those [...] - Reader Questions:
Bilateral Facet Injections
Question: How should we code the claim when the physiatrist performs two levels of bilateral [...] - Reader Questions:
Median Branch Nerve Injection
Question: Our physiatrist performs median branch nerve injections on single and multiple levels. What code [...] - Reader Questions:
SI Joint Injection
Question: Our physiatrist performed an SI joint injection without arthrography or fluoroscopy. Should we use [...] - Reader Questions:
Therapeutic Exercises Rejected With TPIs
Question: One of our physiatrists performs trigger point injections for myofascial pain along with evaluations, [...] - Reader Questions:
Multiple Finger Injections
Question: How should I bill Medicare when we do more than one finger injection on [...] - Reader Questions:
Paravertebral Nerve Block
Question: What is the most accurate code for a paravertebral nerve block for relieving severe [...] - Reader Questions:
Prolonged Services for Day-After Visit
Question: One of our physiatrists evaluates a hospital patient on day one. The following day [...] - Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation
