CPT code 51785: Sphincter EMG, needle electrode technique2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $392.46 for 51785 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $338.28–$533.97.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 51785 covers

This study records electrical activity from the anal or urethral sphincter using a needle electrode. Urologists and other clinicians performing urodynamic or pelvic-floor evaluations may use it when investigating suspected sphincter dysfunction, neurogenic bladder, or urinary incontinence. The needle technique distinguishes this service from sphincter EMG performed without a needle electrode.

Report the study when the needle-electrode sphincter EMG is performed and documented; the record should identify the site studied and support that the EMG service was completed. It may be performed as part of a broader urodynamic evaluation, with other services reported when separately performed and documented. Medicare recognizes professional and technical components: modifier 26 identifies interpretation, modifier TC identifies equipment and staff, and no component modifier represents the global service. For multiple procedures in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are subject to the standard 50% reduction.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

Where 51785 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

51785 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 51785 rate is calculated

Each of 51785’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

Payment rules and modifiers for 51785

The CMS indicators that decide how 51785 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

51785 compared with similar codes

How to choose

51784Sphincter EMGNonneedle technique

Choose 51785 for needle-electrode sphincter EMG and 51784 for the non-needle technique.

51726CystometrogramElectronic pressure-volume testing

51726 measures bladder pressure during a complex cystometrogram; 51785 records electrical activity from the anal or urethral sphincter.

51728Urodynamic studyWith voiding pressure

51728 includes cystometrogram and voiding-pressure evaluation. Report 51785 for the distinct needle-electrode sphincter EMG when performed.

51792Urinary reflex studyReflex response testing

51792 is a urinary reflex study; 51785 records needle-electrode EMG activity in the anal or urethral sphincter.

Codes related to 51785

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates