Surface Scanning and Macro Electromyography (CPB 0112, reviewed 2026-03-25)
Aetna Clinical Policy Bulletin 0112, last reviewed 03/25/2026, considers high-density surface EMG, surface scanning EMG, paraspinal surface EMG and macro EMG experimental, investigational, or unproven as a diagnostic test for low back pain and other thoracolumbar segmental abnormalities, and for all other indications. It also considers surface EMG devices for diagnosis and/or monitoring of nocturnal bruxism experimental, and lists the Neurophysiologic Pain Profile (NPP), the spine matrix (lumbar matrix) scan and Spinoscopy under the same experimental designation. The bulletin states that surface scanning EMG should not be confused with conventional needle EMG or with surface electrodes used in EMG biofeedback, which it considers medically necessary for appropriate indications.