Who? Patients that are suspected to have neurological damage.
When? Testing is conducted on the pre-determined testing scheduled date.
Where? In the convenience of your office.
Why? To objectively substantiate your patient’s condition and care. At the same time, create a significant new source of income for you and your practice.
How? Call 888-777-6639 and schedule your diagnostic day.
Here are some additional frequently asked questions by new contracting physicians:
Q. What exactly is a diagnostic test?
A. It is an important tool in diagnosing nerve, nerve root, or spinal cord problems. The procedure involves applying small electric shocks to nerves that are being tested. This sensation is very similar to the shock of static electricity, which we often experience on a hot, dry day when we touch another person or a metal object. This static electricity impulse excites the nerve and an impulse then travels down the nerve to its muscle which contracts, causing your hand or foot to twitch. There is no risk or damage done to the nerves or body by this test. Each electrical impulse applied to a nerve lasts approximately 200 milliseconds. Basically, the test measures the velocity, intensity, and time of the electrical signal through the length of the involved nerve(s). The results of the diagnostic testing are then analyzed by a qualified physician and reported directly to the treating doctor. The doctor is then able to efficiently formulate the correct treatment protocol for wellness care or validate its existing care based on the objective diagnosis that is established through this testing. These diagnostic tests are referred to as either a “nerve conduction velocity” (NCV) test or an “electromyography” (EMG) test.
Q. What is a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test?
A. A NCV is a quantitative diagnostic study that can definitively determine motor and/or sensory nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system. This is a non-invasive procedure that is relatively painless that utilizes an electrical stimulator on the skin, making it comparatively pain free to a needle EMG. The stimulator sends a short electrical impulse along the involved nerve pathway that is recorded for the individual nerves respective velocity. All NCV testing is done by Neurolink’s highly qualified Board Certified or Board Eligible technicians utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and requires only an electrical outlet and a patient examining table.
Q. What is an electromyography (EMG) test?
A. A needle EMG test involves insertions of small needles into the muscles to assess injury to your nerve(s) as it relates to the muscles that it affects. The muscle is stimulated when the needle is inserted and the electrodes record the muscle’s response on the screen. The patient will be asked to contract the muscle to further determine the severity and type of damage. This is crucial information to determine certain components of a nerve injury. Patients report slightly greater discomfort during the EMG portion of the test as compared to the NCV test. The needles inserted are thin and the sensation on insertion is similar to an acupuncture needle or intramuscular injection. Some patients experience some mild painful sensation when asked to contract the muscle, but this is brief and should subside right away. EMG tests can only be conducted by a qualified medical doctor. Neurolink will provide either the Company’s neurologist or physiatrist to perform these EMG tests. Similar to the NCV test, this procedure requires the treating doctor to provide only an electrical outlet and a patient examining table. All testing equipment will be provided by Neurolink.
Q. What is the main difference between a NCV and an EMG test?
A. NCV testing determines the health of the nerves and an EMG test determines the health of the muscles. Patients may be scheduled for one or both of these tests depending on the patient’s diagnosis.
Q. Do these tests irritate or affect the patient’s conditions?
A. No. This is a diagnostic procedure that artificially re-creates the bodies’ own natural electrical impulses. It has absolutely no harmful effects to a patient’s condition.
Q. How long does the NCV and EMG test take?
A. Each NCV test takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Each EMG test takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. On the scheduled date of testing, Neurolink will request the treating physician’s office to schedule and allow a time frame of one hour for both tests on a single patient.
Q. Do I need to be present when testing is in progress?
A. Yes. Due to the fact that testing must be conducted under your general supervision, it is necessary that you, the primary physician, be in the office when testing is conducted.
Q. How should the patient prepare for the test?
A. The patient must bathe or shower on the day of the test. Body oils, lotions, and creams should not be applied on the day of testing as they will interfere with the test results. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and avoid tight clothing such as jeans. Furthermore, the patient should not consume any aspirin, ibuprofen or products which contain them for a minimum of 48 hours prior to the testing appointment. Patients should advise Neurolink’s technicians and/or medical doctors performing the tests as to what medication the patient has taken and when last consumed.
Q. How long will it take for the treating physician to receive the testing results?
A. Our goal is to provide the treating physician with the interpretation reports (results of the tests) within 5-7 business days from the testing date.
Q. Is the respective neurologist or physiatrist interpreting the reports available for questions that may arise?
A. Our neurologist or physiatrist will be available for your testing question needs.
Q. What if I don’t have enough patients?
A. Neurolink does not contract with ordering doctors based on patient volume. Neurolink is committed to providing efficient and quality diagnostic testing which are necessary to objectively justify and compliment ordering physicians’ medical evaluations and treatments. In addition, Neurolink’s objective is to provide ordering doctors with a dependable schedule for testing if necessary.
Q. Will this take away from my treatment allowances with insurance companies?
A. NO, insurance companies list diagnostics under a separate allowance format, which does not interfere with the allocated treatment coverages.
Q. Do the reimbursements vary for different health care professionals?
A. NO, there is a preset reimbursement allowance for Neuro-diagnostics by each respective insurance carrier, and it is consistent for all ordering physicians or primary health care providers (MD, DC, DO, DPM).
Q. What insurance companies does Neurolink accept?
A. All PPOs;
All Industrial and Worker’s Compensation Carriers;
All Auto Insurance Carriers;
Personal Injury on a Lien basis and/or Personal Injury with Med. Pay (or PIP); and Medicare patients.
Q. What insurance companies are not accepted by Neurolink?
A. Medical / Medicaid; and HMO
Q. How much workload will this be on my administrative staff?
A. Very minimal. Your staff’s only responsibility is to schedule, provide the patients’ demographics (patient information) including complete insurance information, and submit the medical necessity form (provided by Neurolink). For worker’s compensation cases, the staff will need to provide either a copy of the Doctor’s 1 st Report and/or a PR-2, whichever one indicates the authorization request. Our staff handles the rest.
Q. Will testing interfere with my regular office hours?
A. No, not at all. Our only request is that a room be made available for us to test the patient. The room must have an electrical outlet and a patient examining table.
Q. How do I become a member with Neurolink or utilize Neurolink’s services?
A. Call 888-777-6639 and ask for a business development associate or email us at info@neurolinkdx.com.
