A recent article from gawenda seminars and consulting provided an example using cpt code 97012 mechanical traction and cpt code 97140 manual. Feb, 2020 manual therapy manual therapy, cpt code 97140, is also a prescribed treatment that helps address loss of joint strength, mobility, andor range of motion that is ultimately impeding function. This comprises of manipulationmobilization and manual lymphatic drainage and manual traction one area or more, every 15 minutes. For dates of service prior to 2010, cpt code 29220 is used to report low back strapping, and for dates of service between 01012010 and 09302010, cpt code. Cpt code 97140 and 97124 massage therapy and manual therapy. Per cpt guidelines, 97140 describes manual therapy techniques, such as mobilization and manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, and manual traction.
Includes effleurage, petrissage, andor tapotement stroking, compression, percussion with direct oneonone patient contact. Manual therapy is classified as a therapeutic procedure timebased. Physical and occupational therapists typically report cpt code 97140 for services best described as manual therapy techniques. In 1999 the cpt code 97140, manual therapy, replaced three codes. Manipulative treatment, also known as mobilization therapy or adjustment, refers to manual therapy employed to soft or osseous tissues for therapeutic purposes. Oct 01, 2019 from a cpt coding perspective, 97012 is a physical medicine mechanical traction modality that does not require attendance. This manual is written as a general introduction for data managers, payers, administrators, and medical record coders. Decompression traction devices th ere are several computerized traction units that have been approved by the us food and drug administration fda to be marketed as decompression devices. Chiropractic adjustments have their own set of codes 9894098942, or 98943 for an extremity. Some medicare carriers recommend cpt code 97799 and some require 97039.
When should physical therapists use the new x modifiers. Cpt codes 33234 and 33235 involve opening the pacemaker pocket. Oct 01, 2018 manual therapy techniques eg, mobilization manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, manual traction, 1 or more regions, each 15 minutes 97150. What does the american medical association ama say about what is included in cpt code 97140 and why do we care what the ama says. The ama cpt current procedural terminology 2019 edition describes 97140 as manual therapy techniques eg. This term encompasses a wide variety of physical manipulations, including rhythmic stretching, deep pressure and traction, and spinal adjustments. Chiropractic adjustments have their own set of cpt codes. Sounds like your pt association has some work to do in your part of the country. Vertebral axial decompression vaxd and similar devices such as the drx9000 and axiom 3xdactivetrac should be reported using the procedure code s9090. Jun 30, 2017 manual therapy techniques, cpt code 97140, includes soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, manual lymphatic drainage, manual traction and myofascial release. What is the best code to use for pnf stretching of the. Cpt code 97140 manual therapy techniques may be billed with the appropriate modifier on the same date of service as a spinal cmt code, when the manual therapy service is. Cpt specifically states to select the procedure or service that accurately identifies the service performed. Sep 07, 2016 it should also be noted that manual traction, using ones hands or a towel to perform the traction, is identified under manual therapy cpt 97140 and, presumably, would not be recognized under mechanical traction.
Aetna denials for 97140 manual therapy and chiropractic. Musculoskeletal system surgery coding guidelines coding info. Previously, if these two treatments were performed on the same date of service, the 59 modifier would need to. Active and passive therapies compliance membership program. Lymphatic drainage massage therapy medical billing and.
Aca s clarification on chiroview presents 97140 information. Optum will not separately reimburse for cpt code 97010. The ama cpt current procedural terminology 20 edition describes 97140 as manual therapy techniques eg. Cpt position on the proper use of procedure code 97140.
Manual therapy techniques 97140 used by chiropractors is a common example of a nonem service. Cpt code 97140 manual therapy techniques may be billed with the appropriate modifier on the same date of service as a spinal cmt code, when the. Because 97140 is typically a component of the more comprehensive code, 97012 and 97140 would need a modifier to justify billing both codes. The cpt position on the use of procedure code 97140 for manual therapy techniques states the following. Cpt code 97032 electrical stimulation manual cpt code 97012 mechanical traction. Manual traction, mobilizationmanipulation, myofascial release, manual lymphatic drainage, and. Therapeutic procedures, group 2 or more individuals 97161.
Claims will deny as incidental provider liability, regardless of a submission with a 59 modifier. Cpt code 97010, 97124, 97140, 97012 massage therapy billing. Cpt code 75901 mechanical removal of pericatheter obstructive material e. Previously, if these two treatments were performed on the same date of service, the 59 modifier would need to be appended to 97140 on the claim form. Fundamental coding rule differentiating chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation proper evaluation of any therapy service differentiating modalities and procedures.
For readers who do not need a detailed understanding of. When reporting the cpt code 97140 in conjunction with cmt codes, there are six criteria that must be documented to validate the service. Jan 01, 2020 cpt stands for current procedural terminology and are published by the american medical association. Description of physical medicine and rehabilitation codes. Therefore, if a chiropractor were to perform manual traction, a specific example given by the cpt, then coding it as 97140 would be entirely appropriate. Kmc university on 97140, manual therapy kmc university. Per cpt guidelines, 97140 describes manual therapy techniques, such as mobilization and manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, and. Jul 27, 2010 just use the traction code was the common thought, but when the topic of insurance reimbursement and spinal decompression therapy was researched, it was found that the traction cpt code of 97012 is not acceptable by most medicare carriers. Per cpt guidelines, 97140 describes manual therapy techniques, such as mobilization and manipulation, manual. Cpt stands for current procedural terminology and are published by the american medical association. Manual therapy techniques consist of, but are not limited to, connective tissue massage, joint mobilization and manipulation, manual traction, passive range of motion, soft tissue mobilization and manipulation, and therapeutic massage. Chiropractic cpt codes what chiropractors need to know. This comprises of manipulationmobilization and manual lymphatic drainage and manual tractionone area or more, every 15 minutes.
Currently, there is no cpt code that describes dry needling nor do any of the existing cpt codes include dry needling techniques in clinical vignettes utilized by ama in their process to establish relative value units. Ranging from 00100 to 99499, the cpt codes are used to describe medical, surgical, and diagnostic services and procedures. Apr 22, 2019 for example, lets look at one of the most commonly billed codes. Cpt code 97140 and 97124 massage therapy and manual.
A physical therapist provides mechanical cervical traction 97012 and manual therapy 97140 to a patient with a cervical condition. Its also been further described to include things like manual trigger point therapy and myofascial release. Revision procedure coding system icd10pcs is a new system for coding inpatient procedures, developed for the centers for medicare and medicaid services cms. Integral to billing medical services and procedures for reimbursement, cpt is the language spoken between providers and payers current procedural terminology, more commonly known as cpt, refers to a set of medical codes used by physicians, allied health professionals, nonphysician practitioners, hospitals, outpatient facilities, and laboratories to describe the procedures and services. It should also be noted that manual traction, using ones hands or a towel to perform the traction, is identified under manual therapy cpt 97140 and, presumably, would not be recognized under mechanical traction. Medical professionals like physical therapists use cpt codes to classify the treatment of diagnoses. Additionally, the cmt services are in a different section of the cpt code book and are unique manual techniques that require physician. Manual therapy, cpt code 97140, is also a prescribed treatment that helps address loss of joint strength, mobility, andor range of motion that is. From a cpt coding perspective, 97012 is a physical medicine mechanical traction modality that does not require attendance. For manual therapy cpt 97124, the ama states that it must include one or a combination of the following. Coding policy acas clarification on chiroview presents 97140 information the american chiropractic association aca has received a number of inquiries concerning information available on the internet regarding correct cpt coding using cpt procedure code 97140, manual therapy techniques. It seems really odd that those are to billed for what is clearly a 97 140. Cpt 97140, 97530, 97112, 97760, 97750 therapeutic procedure. Thus, if you want to invoice either of these cpt codes, your documentation must specifically cite the above techniques.
We will not reimburse chiropractic, acupuncture or massage therapy providers for manual therapy services. Cpt 97124 describes a service that is a separate and distinct service from chiropractic manual therapy codes 9894098943. Manual therapy techniques consist of, but are not limited to, connective tissue massage, joint mobilization and manipulation, manual traction, passive range of. It is a timebased code, and applied to one or more areas. Jun 16, 2020 per cpt guidelines, 97140 describes manual therapy techniques, such as mobilization and manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, and manual traction. Manual therapy techniques are used to treat restricted motion of soft tissues in the extremities, neck and trunk. Techniques such as mobilization and manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, and manual traction, one or more regions, each 15 minutes with direct oneonone patient contact. Cpt code 97001, 97110, 97140, 97124, 97002 therapy. For example, lets look at one of the most commonly billed codes. This term encompasses a wide variety of physical manipulations, including rhythmic stretching, deep pressure and traction.
Apr 15, 2017 contraindications and precautions contraindications. Hcpcs codes description 76499 unlisted diagnostic radiographic procedure. Cpt 97012 traction, mechanical to one or more areas. Cpt code 97010, 97124, 97140, 97012 massage therapy.
Many providers think or are told to bill for dry needling using cpt code 97140, manual therapy techniques, one or more regions, each 15 minutes. Manual therapy cpt code 97140 hns policy the ama cpt current procedural terminology 2019 edition describes 97140 as manual therapy techniques eg. A recent article from gawenda seminars and consulting provided an example using cpt code 97012 mechanical traction and cpt code 97140 manual therapy. Whats the different between manual therapy and massage. Various other modalities might also assist in accomplishing andor complementing some of the same objectives as the cmt codes or 97012. Coding massage therapy 97124 and manual therapy 97140. You must add a second modifier, 52, to the manual therapy code, 97140, to indicate that a reduced service was performed. This code is not covered on the same visit date as cpt code 97140 manual therapy techniques. From a cpt coding perspective, therapeutic procedure, one or more areas, each 15 minutes.
1356 836 1364 314 1560 900 317 270 1008 951 1603 209 937 592 873 1455 527 1080 986 630 1332 1659 948 1168