CommercialCoverageMedium impact
Surface Scanning and Macro Electromyography (CPB 0112, reviewed 2026-03-25)
Aetna·Neurology, Pain Management, Physical Therapy +3 more·Medical Policy
Effective date
Mar 25, 2026
We identified it
Aug 17, 2026
Summary
Aetna has classified surface scanning and macro electromyography (including HD-sEMG, paraspinal surface EMG, and related diagnostic tests) as experimental, investigational, or unproven for all indications. This means CPT codes 96002, 96004, and HCPCS code S3900 are not covered when billed with the listed ICD-10 diagnoses. Billing teams must immediately deny or reject claims for these services and notify providers that these procedures cannot be billed to Aetna.
Action Required
Effective immediately (policy reviewed 2026-03-25): Billing team must update denial rules in billing software to reject all claims for CPT 96002, 96004, and HCPCS S3900 when submitted to Aetna with any of the listed ICD-10 diagnoses (M41.00-M41.87, M50.00-M51.9, M53.0-M53.9, M60.9, M62.830-M62.838, M62.9-M63.89, M79.10-M79.18, G54.0-G54.9, G57.00-G57.93, S23.3xxA-S23.3xxS, S33.5xxA-S33.5xxS, and others listed in policy). Providers must be notified that surface EMG scanning is not a covered service under Aetna. Add a note to provider communications stating that surface scanning EMG should not be confused with conventional needle EMG (which may still be covered). Update encounter templates to remove these tests from billable service lists. Failure to implement this change will result in claim denials and may create compliance issues.