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Needle Muscle Test of Half the Diaphragm

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 95866

This test inserts a thin needle electrode into the diaphragm muscle on one side to record its electrical activity directly, evaluating how well the nerve and muscle controlling that side of breathing are working. It is used to investigate unexplained breathing difficulty or suspected weakness of the diaphragm when other tests have not clarified the cause. The recording is typically done with imaging guidance to safely place the needle near the lung and chest structures.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Needle Muscle Test of Half the Diaphragm cost?

$126

Typical negotiated rate. In Washington, DC, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $126 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $117 to $145.

These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $126 · 10th to 90th $126 to $661Professionalmedian $126 · 10th to 90th $102 to $191
$100$200$500facility $126professional $126

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$125.89
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$125.89
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$102.33
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$186.21
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$69.18
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$354.81
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$562.34
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$281.84
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$562.34
Median
$660.69
Typical High
$758.58
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$380.19

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 2.5 times more in Minnesota than in Kentucky. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Touch or drag across it to read any state, then open that state for its carriers and full range.

Washington, DC· 45th of 51

$126

MN $295KY $117

Median negotiated rate in each state, from every insurer that publishes one. States where no insurer publishes a rate for this service are not shown.