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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesUrodynamic Procedures on the BladderCPT cpt-51785-anal-urethral-sphincter-electromyography
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    CPT 51785: Anal or Urethral Sphincter Electromyography

    Medicare pays $272 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 51785 is an electromyography (EMG) study that measures electrical activity of the anal or urethral sphincter muscles to evaluate neuromuscular function related to pelvic floor and urinary continence issues; the service is a diagnostic neurophysiology study typically performed in an ambulatory clinic, specialized pelvic floor clinic, or hospital outpatient setting using perineal or needle electrode techniques to record sphincter muscle activity.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM), Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®), Lumbar Microdiscectomy.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 58-year-old female referred to a urogynecology or colorectal motility clinic for evaluation of fecal incontinence and reported leakage with urgency. Prior conservative therapies (dietary modification, pelvic floor physical therapy, and topical agents) have not resolved symptoms. The clinician orders 51785 (anal or urethral sphincter electromyography) to assess neuromuscular function of the external anal sphincter and pelvic floor or the urethral sphincter complex. The procedure is performed in an outpatient electrodiagnostic laboratory or ambulatory surgery center. The workflow includes informed consent, focused history and targeted neurologic exam, positioning (left lateral decubitus for anal testing or lithotomy for urethral testing), skin preparation, placement of concentric needle electrodes into the sphincter(s), recording of spontaneous activity and voluntary motor unit potential recruitment, and interpretation by a physician credentialed in electromyography. Results guide diagnosis of pudendal neuropathy, sphincter denervation, motor unit recruitment disorders, or neuromuscular junction abnormalities and inform subsequent management such as sacral neuromodulation candidacy, pelvic floor therapy adjustments, or referral to neurology or colorectal surgery. Typical documentation includes indication, informed consent, sites tested, electrode type, findings (spontaneous activity, recruitment patterns, motor unit potentials), comparison to normative values if available, and a signed interpretive report.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    51784Electromyography, anal sphincter; needlePerformed when needle EMG is targeted specifically to the anal sphincter; may be coded when testing is limited or unilateral compared with 51785
    51786Electromyography, urethral sphincter; needleClosely related for primary evaluation of the urethral sphincter; may be performed alongside 51785 when both anal and urethral sphincters are assessed
    51701Biofeedback training, perineal muscles, 1 hourOften follows EMG testing as a therapeutic intervention when muscle recruitment deficits are identified
    95905Short-latency somatosensory evoked potential study; upper/lower limbsMay be performed in a broader neuromuscular workup to assess conduction pathways when neuropathy is suspected
    99070Supplies and materials, noncovered, used during the procedureUsed for billing of special disposable supplies (needles, electrodes) if payer allows separate supply charges

    Related Modifiers

    5 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    63Modifier‑63 is appended to surgical CPT codes (20000–69990) when a procedure is performed on a neonate or infant weighing ≤ 4 kg (about 8.8 lbs). The AMA/AAPC definition specifies this use and notes…- Use modifier -63 only for surgical procedures in the CPT 20000–69990 series performed on a neonate or infant who weighs ≤ 4 kg at the time of the procedure; it indicates increased complexity due to…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RH0000X
    207L00000X
    1835I0206X
    2080P0201X
    101200000X
    133VN1004X
    235500000X
    364SA2200X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    F42.9Obsessive-compulsive disorder, unspecified
    G47.33Obstructive sleep apnea (adult) (pediatric)
    K62.5Hemorrhage of anus and rectum
    N31.8Other neuromuscular dysfunction of bladder
    N31.9Neuromuscular dysfunction of bladder, unspecified
    N36.1Urethral diverticulum
    N39.0Urinary tract infection, site not specified
    N39.3Stress incontinence (female) (male)
    N39.41Urge incontinence
    N39.42Incontinence without sensory awareness

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Neurology/Neurosurgery1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM)Kaiser Permanente2027-01-01
    Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®)bcbsvermont2026-11-01
    Lumbar Microdiscectomyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Cervical Intervertebral Discuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Responsive Neurostimulation for Focal EpilepsyPremera Bluecross2026-10-14
    Intraoperative MonitoringProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Intraoperative MonitoringProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    High-Intensity Focused UltrasoundMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Vagal Nerve StimulationAmbetter Nevada2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-51725-CYSTOMETROGRAM-BLADDER-PRESSURE-CAPACITY-TEST

    CPT 51725: Cystometry to Measure Bladder Capacity and Pressure

    CPT-51726-CYSTOMETRY-BLADDER-PRESSURE-TESTING

    CPT 51726: Cystometry to Measure Bladder Capacity and Pressure

    CPT-51727-COMPLEX-CYSTOMETROGRAM-URETHRAL-PRESSURE-PROFILE

    CPT 51727: Complex Cystometrogram with Urethral Pressure Profile

    CPT-51728-COMPLEX-CYSTOMETROGRAM-VOIDING-PRESSURE-STUDIES

    CPT 51728: Complex Cystometrogram with Voiding Pressure Studies

    CPT-51729-COMPLEX-CYSTOMETROGRAM-VOIDING-URETHRAL-PRESSURE-PROFILE

    CPT 51729: Complex Cystometrogram with Voiding and Urethral Pressure Studies

    CPT-51736-UROFLOWMETRY-URODYNAMIC-FLOW-STUDY

    CPT 51736: Uroflowmetry (Urine Flow Measurement)

    CPT-51741-UROFLOWMETRY-URINARY-FLOW-MEASUREMENT

    CPT 51741: Uroflowmetry (Urine Flow Rate)

    CPT-51784-ANAL-OR-URETHRAL-SPHINCTER-ELECTRICAL-ACTIVITY-TESTING

    CPT 51784: EMG of Anal or Urethral Sphincter Muscles

    CPT-51792-SPHINCTER-ELECTROMYOGRAPHY-ANAL-URETHRAL

    CPT 51792: Anal or Urethral Sphincter Electromyography

    CPT-51797-VOIDING-PRESSURE-URODYNAMIC-TEST

    CPT 51797: Voiding Pressure (Leak Point Pressure) Study

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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