AANEM Connect

Hello All,

I'm interested in having some of our EEG techs at our institution learn to do nerve conduction studies.  A roadblock occurred when our billing department found the following article at cms.gov (https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleId=57668&ver=44) which states:

"Nerve conduction codes 95907-95913 had their Physician Supervision of Diagnostic Procedures Indicators adjusted to 7A effective 01/01/2013 (CR 8169). Please refer to the description of 7A below. Therefore if authorized by state law Physical Therapists are allowed the technical portion and professional component of the test.

The technical component (TC) of the Neuromuscular junction testing code 95937 had its Physician Supervision of Diagnostic Procedures Indicator changed to “7A” This change is effective January 1, 2013.

“7A” = “Supervision standards for level 77 apply; in addition, the PT with ABPTS certification may personally supervise another PT, but only the PT with ABPTS certification may bill.”

“77” = “Procedure must be performed by a PT with ABPTS certification (TC & PC) or by a PT without certification under direct supervision of a physician (TC only; PC always physician)”. These changes are effective January 1, 2013."

Unfortunately I'm not able to find anything else from CMS about supervision for nerve conduction studies.  And the above seems to be some sort of tangent about physical therapists doing EMG/NCS.  Does anyone know of anywhere else that I can find information from CMS which clearly outlines that a nerve conduction tech may perform the NCS with supervision (I believe the proper term is "direct supervision" which would mean I'd be in the office and available though not necessarily in the exam room)?

Thanks in advance!