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 |  | With Health Insurance: $10-$50 Copays, 10%-50% Coinsurance |  | Without Health Insurance: $150-$500 per Extremity |
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Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic procedure typically ordered by a doctor to diagnose muscle and nerve conditions, including peripheral nerve disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle disorders, such as muscular dystrophy, and diseases that affect the nerve and muscle connection, such as myasthenia gravis.
Typical costs: |
- EMG testing is typically covered by health insurance. For patients with health insurance, there may be a copay of $10-$50 or coinsurance of about 10%-50%.
- For patients without insurance, the test typically costs between $150 and $500 per extremity, depending on the health care provider. For example, at a Kaiser Permanente hospital[1] an EMG of one extremity costs $247, while at On Site NCV-EMG Testing[2] , in Tampa, FL, an EMG costs $350 per extremity.
Related articles: Carpal Tunnel Treatment, Biofeedback Therapy, Muscular Dystrophy Treatment
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What should be included: |
- According to New York City's Hospital for Special Surgery[3] , EMG testing takes from 30 to 90 minutes and typically includes two parts, a nerve conduction study[4] , in which electrodes taped to the skin stimulate the nerve and record its response, and a needle exam, in which needles that contain microscopic electrodes are inserted into a muscle to pick up electrical signals.
- After an EMG[5] , there may be muscle soreness for a day or two.
Additional costs: |
- A patient may need to schedule a follow-up visit with a primary-care doctor to discuss the results. According to the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey[6] , a set of large-scale surveys on the use and cost of health services conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the average price of an office visit for an uninsured patient is $199. Patients who are covered by health insurance face a copay of $10 -$50 or more, or coinsurance of 10%-50% or more.
Discounts: |
- Many hospitals offer discounts of 30% or more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. At St. Joseph Hospital[7] in Orange, CA, for example, patients without health insurance may qualify for a 45% discount off billed charges. They'll also be offered an additional 10% discount if payment is made within 10 days of receiving a bill. Under the federal government's Hill-Burton program[8] low-income patients may qualify for free or low-cost services.
Shopping for an emg test: |
- Though a primary doctor may order the EMG, a patient will need to see specialist such as a neurologist[9] or a physiatrist[10] (also known as a PM&R physician), who can perform and interpret the test. The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR) offers a physiatrist finder[11] , while the American Academy of Neurology offers a physician neurologist locator[12] .
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: James G in Lexington, KY. | Posted: August 3rd, 2020 01:08PM |
| Insurance: Aetna | Medical Center: Baptist Health |
I'm supposed to have an NCV/EMG test performed on Thursday and the hospital just called to tell me that I needed to prepay $520.69. This is after my insurance agreed to pay 90% of the cost of the procedure. Why does it cost $5,000 to attach a few electrodes to someone and flip a machine on? I will almost certainly be cancelling the procedure. Highway robbery. |
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| Posted by: Anonymous321 in LakeVille, MN. | Posted: March 3rd, 2020 12:03PM |
| Insurance: 500 | Medical Center: |
The Provider has cahrged $1500 for Nerve condition and add-on
CPT codes 95911 & 95886
Outrageous cost. Please double check before you visit |
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| Posted by: EW19 in Portland, OR. | Posted: July 24th, 2019 06:07PM |
| Insurance: Blue cross | Medical Center: OHSU |
Our healthcare system is being abused by OHSU |
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| Posted by: Call me.. Disappointed with receptionist in Bethesda, MD. | Posted: May 13th, 2019 06:05PM |
| Insurance: VA/TRICARE | Medical Center: Bethesda neurological clinic |
Sent a bill saying my status as an uninsured or no insurance on file. I gave them my insurance and referral letter on my first appointment. NCS and EMG and called to asked about my insurance, receptionist rudely said that was my portion even though my bill was not reflected of an itemized data of insurance coverage or knowledge of the procedure. Still waiting to hear back from billing department... |
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| Posted by: Kenneth Broz in Hou, TX. | Posted: January 29th, 2019 11:01AM |
| Insurance: Independence Blue Cross | Medical Center: UT Hermann Neorology |
Same amount with or without insurance |
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| Posted by: K R P in New Delhi, Other. | Posted: January 18th, 2019 02:01AM |
| Insurance: | Medical Center: Fortis memorial |
I have a pinched radial nerve in left arm. Which happened in Tampa Florida after the ER visit I was told to follow up with a neurologist I had a business trip to New Delhi did my follow up here. Total bill 6670 rupees after the coversion rate of 71 rupees to $1 my total was $92.00 with the visit with neurologist. |
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| Posted by: A7X1 in Pensacola, FL. | Posted: April 24th, 2018 06:04PM |
| Insurance: Aetna | Medical Center: Sacred Heart |
More expensive than I thought it'd be. I paid a 1000 while insurance picked up 5000 of it. |
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| Posted by: Glenda Hardy in North Augusta, SC. | Posted: December 7th, 2017 11:12AM |
| Insurance: Cigna | Medical Center: Vitality medical center |
Would not take a check would only take care credit services which I had at 0 balance. I was told it was going toward my deductable. No record from my insurance company but vitality made claims over $5000.00 I'm waiting on my statement from cigna. I have called vitality records and billing and message onto return call but one when I threatened they will hear from my lawyer |
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| Posted by: unavailable in Park Ridge, IL. | Posted: April 10th, 2017 03:04PM |
| Insurance: Medicare Orininal Primary/BCHMO Secondar | Medical Center: Advocate Lutheran general |
Test for 2 legs lower extremities when Medicare Original is Primary and Blue Cross HMO Illinois is Secondary was calculated to be $47. When the same test was calculated for my spouse, who had Blue Cross HMO Illinois Primary (not yet Medicare) the out of pocket cost was $1200 and possibly more due to deductibles and coinsurance. This was based on having the test done at a hospital outpatient facility, not the doctors office, which Blue Cross could not estimate (hopefully it would be lower). Moral: nWait until Medicare is primary and Blue Cross is secondary or hope that test in doctors office is lower if you are not Medicare eligible. |
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| Posted by: mother of disabled patient in Jackson, MS. | Posted: March 28th, 2017 08:03AM |
| Insurance: Medicaid | Medical Center: University of Mississippi Medical Center |
My disabled son had this done and Medicaid was billed $15,150.98. We did not have to pay out of pocket, but I was amazed at how high the bill was. He had to be put to sleep because he is young and couldn't remain still, but that bill is separate and not included in this bill. That amount I listed was just for the EMG part! They tested all his extremities and got abnormal results. There is no way I would ever be able to pay that out of pocket! That is almost a year's pay out of pocket for some people working full time at minimum wage. These prices are crazy! It only took a couple hours when they finally got him back to do the test, but most of the day to wake back up and it worried me. |
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| Posted by: a patient in Cedar Rapids, IA. | Posted: February 11th, 2017 07:02AM |
| Insurance: BCBS | Medical Center: Will update later |
EMG test for left arm and leg. Also did nerve conduction test. |
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| Posted by: ButterBean in Lawrenceville, GA. | Posted: August 30th, 2016 07:08PM |
| Insurance: 3500.00 | Medical Center: Gwinnett medical l/ville |
Scheduled tomorrow this is just an outrageous price for something that is going to take me an hour to do.
Health care reform is for the birds!!!
I feel like telling them I don't have insurance and ask for a cash discount it will be lower than my out of pocket expense. |
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| Posted by: Mary Jones in Springfield, MO. | Posted: August 26th, 2016 06:08PM |
| Insurance: Coventry | Medical Center: Mercy Clinic, Spfld MO |
Was told the insurance company negotiated a cost per extremity of $1200 + the cost of some unknown physician to compose a report and send to my doctor who I will have to pay at $200 ofice visit call. Seems like these anonymous readers of medical procedures charge about $200. So, the total cost to me would be $1600. Because I have a high deductible I must pay this out of cost. I cancelled my appointment as I could not afford this. Will have to daal with the nerve pain until I get MEdicare or the cost is closer to costhelper.com's suggestion. |
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| Posted by: SnowNCycle in Youngstown, OH. | Posted: April 8th, 2016 06:04AM |
| Insurance: BC/BS | Medical Center: St. E\'s Youngstown |
My doctor told me the cost would run about $1,000-$1,500.....bill was for $4383.....after insurance, still owed $2,550.91 |
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| Posted by: Ossining in Sleepy Hollow, NY. | Posted: December 21st, 2015 09:12AM |
| Insurance: Medicare | Medical Center: Private Neuroligist |
Pinched nerve in neck. Going for physical therapy. Neurologist wants me to have EMG/NCV. Asked secretary what cost would be and she was clueless. No one could tell me cost. Why not? |
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| Posted by: Misled and Duped in NYC, NY. | Posted: October 26th, 2015 08:10AM |
| Insurance: | Medical Center: Office Visit |
Doctor's office sent me a $1700 bill for office visit and EMG. Absolutely outrageous. Should be a crime to rip off patients like this! |
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| Posted by: Indisbelief in Atlanta, GA. | Posted: September 20th, 2015 12:09PM |
| Insurance: | Medical Center: Piedmont Hospital |
September 2015. 1 arm and 1 leg. 30 mins with tech and 15 mins with MD. $8.6K TOTAL. Insurance paid $4.4k and further negotiated $2.6K reduction leaving me with $1600 out of pocket. I am absolutely stunned. |
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| Posted by: Uninformed in Westmont, IL. | Posted: June 25th, 2015 08:06AM |
| Insurance: BCBS | Medical Center: Hinsdale Hospital |
Hospital didn't tell us cost until we showed up for test. Told us 2800.00 was at least our portion. We walked away, couldn't afford it. |
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| Posted by: Bcm in Soartanburg, SC. | Posted: June 13th, 2015 07:06PM |
| Insurance: Medpartners | Medical Center: Mary black hospital |
Total bill was $5400. Insurance picked up most of the cost. My part is $1200. I was there for a hour and half. Sitting in the room for an hour being ignored. This charge is absolutely outrageous. |
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| Posted by: Jessica R in St. Paul, MN. | Posted: May 12th, 2015 06:05PM |
| Insurance: HEALTHPARTNERS MEDICAL GROUP | Medical Center: HEALTHPARTNERS / Regions |
30 mins costs $985? How?
I doubt it. I owe $775 and my health insurance picked up the rest. Awesome. Thanks. |
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| Posted by: Godstxgirl in Houston, TX. | Posted: April 7th, 2015 07:04AM |
| Insurance: BCBS | Medical Center: The Neurology Center Houston,l TX |
Total time for the tests were about 15 minutes and charge was $3700.00 This seems terribly expensive. I had to pay $427.97 on the spot. |
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External Resources: |
- info.kaiserpermanente.org/info_assets/estimating_your_cost/PDFs/cod_fees.pdf
- onsitencv-emg.com/med-services.html
- www.hss.edu/conditions_emg-testing-a-patient-guide.asp
- www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/neurological/nerve_conductio...
- www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/neurological/electromyograph...
- meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/st318/stat318.shtml
- www.sjo.org/For-Patients/Your-Hospital-Bill/Self-Pay-Discount-Program.aspx
- www.hrsa.gov/gethealthcare/affordable/hillburton
- www.urmc.rochester.edu/highland/departments-centers/neurology/what-is-a-neurologis...
- www.aapmr.org/patients/aboutpmr/Pages/physiatrist.aspx
- www.aapmr.org/patients/findphysician/Pages/default.aspx
- patients.aan.com/findaneurologist/
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