Conversion factor for NCV/EMG wRVU's?

[Prof Moriarty]

Job description does not include NCV/EMG. But the hospital doesn't have anyone doing these studies so they are sending them all out currently. I am thinking of offering to do some basic studies as time allows (CTS, radic, etc) with a conversion factor, e.g., add 1 wRVU per EMG patient, or multiply wRVU's by 1.5 or something.

Good/bad idea? Suggestions on reasonable/appropriate/fair conversion factor?

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[bedrock]

I don't know re conversion factor, but NCV/EMG pay poorly in private practice. You can make more money just seeing patients in clinic now, then doing EMGs, after the huge EMG cuts a few years ago.

If you work at a hospital, love EMGs and you can talk them into a high conversion factor, that might change the economics.

 

[lobelsteve]

CPT 95900 (Motor NCV w/o F test) 5 units
CPT 95904 (Sensory NCV) 2 units
95886 EMG 2 units for neck and an arm.

4.62 wRVU. If codes above still valid.

 

[Prof Moriarty]

These are the current wRVU values:

95885 Needle emg, each extremity, w/ ncv, limited: 0.35
95886 Needle emg, each extremity, w/ ncv; complete, (5+ mm studied): 0.86
95907 Nerve conduction studies; 1-2 studies – 1.0
95908 Nerve conduction studies; 3-4 studies – 1.25
95909 Nerve conduction studies; 5-6 studies – 1.50
95910 Nerve conduction studies; 7-8 studies – 2.0
95911 Nerve conduction studies; 9-10 studies – 2.50
95912 Nerve conduction studies; 11-12 studies – 3.0
95913 Nerve conduction studies; 13 or more studies - 3.56

It's not that I love emg's. It's just something else to do. I don't mind them. But I don't want to lose ¢ by offering to do them. Thus the idea of a conversion factor.

 

[nvrsumr]

Emgs are a bit of a loss leader for me. Get referrals for them and invariably something else to treat.

 

[The JockDoc]

See if you can collect the technical component of the RVUs as well if you don't use a tech.

 

[SSdoc33]

CPT 95900 (Motor NCV w/o F test) 5 units
CPT 95904 (Sensory NCV) 2 units
95886 EMG 2 units for neck and an arm.

4.62 wRVU. If codes above still valid.

havent been valid for years

 

[SSdoc33]

post this in the PM&R forum.

if you can do an EMG in half an hour, and can pack 8 into a half day, then they make financial sense.

 

[lonelobo]

As with anything it depends on what your contracts pay and how efficient you are in performing

 

[lobelsteve]

havent been valid for years

Havent done one since 2006