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CPT 95861: Needle Electromyography, Diagnostic Recording
CPT code 95861 represents a needle electromyography (EMG) procedure in which a provider inserts needles into skeletal muscles to record electrical activity at rest and during contraction, with audio monitoring. This electrodiagnostic test is a core tool for diagnosing neuromuscular disorders, guiding clinical decision-making, and supporting medical necessity determinations for nerve and muscle pathology. Nationally, needle EMG is widely used across neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and orthopedics.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a compact overview of billing and clinical context, typical sites of service, and payer inclusion. The publication outlines benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement where available, summarizes common modifiers and billing considerations, and presents clinical context for appropriate use of the procedure. It also identifies gaps where input data were not provided.
This summary is intended for health plan analysts, revenue cycle professionals, and clinicians involved in electrodiagnostic services who need a concise reference to CPT code 95861, its clinical purpose, and its role in national billing and utilization patterns. Data not available in the input will be noted in relevant sections.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 95861 describes a diagnostic electromyography (EMG) exam with needle insertion in which a provider records the electrical activity of skeletal muscle cells while inserting needles into the muscle at rest and during voluntary contraction. The provider listens to the recordings on a loudspeaker and documents the muscle electrical activity to assess neuromuscular function.
Service type: Diagnostic electrodiagnostic procedure (needle EMG)
Typical site of service: Outpatient clinic or hospital outpatient department, commonly performed in neurology or physiatry offices and electromyography laboratories.