go back

Needle Muscle Test of Half the Diaphragm

North Carolina 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 October 2026.

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

$129

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $129 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $97.72 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $129 · 10th to 90th $129 to $129Professionalmedian $129 · 10th to 90th $83 to $257
$100$200$500facility $129professional $129

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). 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
None
Typical Low
$128.82
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$128.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$125.89
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$128.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$66.07
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$66.07
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$199.53
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$147.91
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$354.81
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$177.83
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$8.51
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$181.97
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$114.82
Typical High
$114.82
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$128.82
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$154.88
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$158.49
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$60.26
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$87.10
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$18.20
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$77.62
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$69.18
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$269.15
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$131.83
Typical High
$302.00
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$60.26
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$158.49
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$144.54
6 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$323.59
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$107.15
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$19.95
Typical High
$42.66
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$13.80
Typical High
$30.20
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$13.80
Typical High
$30.20
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$13.80
Typical High
$30.20

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 4.7 times more in Alaska than in Texas. 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.

North Carolina· 38th of 51

$129

AK $339TX $72.44

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.