No Fault Collections EMG – NCV
No Fault Collections Lawyers Long Island – NYC
EMG Electrodiagnostic studies are a commonly-used technique to test the function of muscles and nerves. Physicians order these studies to determine the cause of neck or back pain, numbness and tingling, and strength loss suffered by car accident victims. While physicians find that these studies are absolutely imperative to plan the future course of treatment for their patients, insurance companies consistently attempt to avoid payment by challenging medical necessity. Our no-fault billing and legal teams have the expertise to handle these challenges and recover payment for the performance of these studies.
An Overview of EMG-NCV Testing
Electromyogram (EMG) testing is used to measure and record the electrical activity of muscles. When the muscles are active, they produce an electrical current. This current is usually proportional to the level of the muscle activity. EMGs are used to detect abnormal electrical activity that is present in many diseases and conditions. These include inflammation of muscles, pinched nerves, damaged nerves in the arms and legs, disc herniations, and degenerative diseases such as muscular dystrophy. EMGs allow physicians to distinguish between muscle conditions where the problem’s root is the muscle itself, and muscle weakness that is due to nerve disorders.
Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) testing if often performed at the same time as EMG testing. In this test, surface electrodes are placed on the patient’s skin to give off a mild electrical impulse. While one electrode stimulates a nerve, the other electrodes placed on the body detect the electrical activity resulting from the stimulation. The time it takes for electrical impulses to travel between electrodes is used to calculate the speed of nerve signals. A decreased speed may indicate nerve disease.NCV testing can be used to detect true nerve disorders (such as neuropathy) or conditions where muscles are affected by nerve injury (such as carpal tunnel syndrome).
Medical Necessity of EMG-NCV Testing
EMG/NCV testing has long been acknowledged as an invaluable diagnostic tool that assists physicians in diagnosing the severity and extent of spinal injuries. The American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine has recognized that EMG/NCV testing is the gold standard in localizing nerve tensions as accurately as possible. Combining these tests with a detailed history and a physical exam, a physician is able to better predict the patient’s prognosis and determine the best course of treatment.
No-Fault Collections EMG-NCV Studies
Due to the comparatively high reimbursement afforded to physicians for administering electro diagnostic testing, insurance companies consistently attempt to undermine a treating physician’s recommendation that his or her patients received EMG and/or NCV testing. This is done most commonly in the form of an insurance company-paid peer review. The insurance company’s peer reviewer denies the medically necessity of the testing based on a boilerplate rationale, for example;
- The EMG-NCV test results would not have affected treatment;
- Radiculopathy can be diagnosed clinically;
- An EMG/NCV test cannot rule out radiculopathy.
Fortunately, for physicians and car accident victims, these and other boilerplate arguments against the use of electrodiagnostic studies are routinely rejected by judges and arbitrators as insufficient as a matter of laws.
Choudhry & Franzoni Law Firm – No Fault Collection Lawyers
At Choudhry & Franzoni, PLLC we have the strengths, both financial and in terms of manpower to fight hard for our clients. We refuse to accept low ball offers from insurance companies. We fight hard for our clients and recover the maximum amount allowed by law. We are not ready and committed to take the insurance carriers on in either arbitration hearing or in civil court trails. A Free Consultation With No Fault Collections Attorney is Only A Phone Call Away. Please Call Now 212 LAW 8000.
Disclaimer: Please be advised that the purpose of this information about EMG / NCV medical procedure is none other than to make the reader aware that Choudhry and Franzoni law Firm specializes in no-fault collections. At no time this information should be used for any other purpose. It’s solely the responsibility of the treating physician to determine which medical procedure is medically necessary and justify such medical necessity. Numbers of nerves to be Tested in EMG / NCV are also sole decision of the treating physician. Information provided on this web site should never be used by any physician to plan or administer any medical treatment.