_ _ **Medical Necessity**  
To be considered reasonable and necessary, the services must meet Medicare
guidelines. The guidelines for coverage of outpatient therapies have basic
requirements in common.  
  
 _In the case of rehabilitative therapy, the_ patient's condition has the
potential to improve or is improving in response to therapy, maximum
improvement is yet to be attained; and there is an expectation that the
anticipated improvement is attainable in a reasonable and generally
predictable period of time. Refer to CMS Publication 100-02, _Medicare Benefit
Policy Manual_ , chapter 15, section 220.2(C).

For example, therapy may not be covered for a fully functional patient who
developed temporary weakness from a brief period of bed rest following
abdominal surgery. It is reasonably expected that as discomfort reduces and
the patient gradually resumes daily activities, function will return without
skilled therapy intervention.

A therapy plan of care is developed either by the physician/NPP, or by the
physical therapist who will provide the physical therapy services, or the
occupational therapist who will provide the occupational therapy services,
(only a physician may develop the plan of care in a CORF). The plan must be
certified by a physician/NPP.

  * If the goal of the plan of care is to improve functioning, the documentation must establish that the patient needs the unique skills of a therapist to improve functioning.
  * If the goal of the plan of care is to maintain, prevent or slow further deterioration of functional status function or prevent deterioration, the documentation must establish that the patient needs the unique skills of a therapist to maintain, prevent or slow further deterioration of functional status.

All services provided are to be specific and effective treatments for the
patient's condition according to accepted standards of medical practice; and
the amount, frequency, and duration of the services must be reasonable.

Services related to recreational activities such as golf, tennis, running,
etc., are not covered as therapy services.

The services that are provided must meet the description of skilled therapy
below.  
  
 **Skilled Therapy**  
Services that do not require the professional skills of a therapist to perform
or supervise are not medically necessary, even if they are performed or
supervised by a therapist, physician or NPP. The skills of a therapist may
also be furnished by an appropriately trained and experienced physician or
NPP, or by an assistant (PTA, OTA) appropriately supervised by a therapist.
Therefore, if a patient's therapy can proceed safely and effectively through a
home exercise program, self management program, restorative nursing program or
caregiver assisted program, payment cannot be made for therapy services.  
  
Consider the following when determining if a service is skilled.

The services shall be of such a level of complexity and sophistication or the
condition of the patient shall be such that the services required can only be
safely and effectively performed by a qualified clinician, or therapists
supervising assistants.

Maintenance therapy occurs when the skills of a therapist (as defined by the
scope of practice for therapists in each state) are necessary to safely and
effectively furnish a recognized therapy service, whose goal is to maintain
functional status or to prevent or slow further deterioration in functional
status.

  * If the specialized skill, knowledge and judgment of a qualified therapist are required to establish or design a maintenance program to maintain the patient's current condition or to prevent or slow further deterioration, the establishment or design of a maintenance program by a qualified therapist is covered.
  * If skilled therapy services by a qualified therapist are needed to instruct the patient or appropriate caregiver regarding the maintenance program, such instruction is covered.
  * If skilled therapy services are needed for periodic reevaluations or reassessments of the maintenance program, such periodic reevaluations or reassessments are covered.
  * Such skilled care is necessary for the performance of a safe and effective maintenance program only when (a) the therapy procedures required to maintain the patient's current function or to prevent or slow further deterioration are of such complexity and sophistication that the skills of a qualified therapist are required to furnish the therapy procedure or (b) the particular patient's special medical complications require the skills of a qualified therapist to furnish a therapy service required to maintain the patient's current function or to prevent or slow further deterioration, even if the skills of a therapist are not ordinarily needed to perform such therapy procedures.
  * If at any point in the treatment it is determined that the treatment becomes repetitive and does not require the unique skills of a therapist, the services are non-covered.
  * There may be circumstances where the patient, with or without the assistance of an aide or other caregiver, does activities planned by a clinician. Although these activities may be supportive to the patient's treatment, if they can be done by the patient, aides or other caregivers without the active participation of qualified professional/auxiliary personnel, they are considered unskilled.
  * An individualized plan of exercise and activity for patients and their caregiver(s) may be developed by clinicians to maintain and enhance a patient's progress during the course of skilled therapy, as well as after discharge from therapy services. Such programs are an integral part of therapy from the start of care and should be updated and modified as the patient progresses.
  * If a patient's limited ability to comprehend instructions, follow directions, or remember skills that are necessary to achieve an increase in function, is so severe as to make functional improvement very unlikely, rehabilitative therapy is not required, and therefore, is not covered. However, limited services in these circumstances may be covered with supportive documentation, if the skills of a therapist are required to establish and teach a caregiver a safety or maintenance program.   

    * This does not apply to the limited situations where rehabilitative therapy is reasonable and achieving meaningful goals is appropriate, even when a patient does not have the ability to comprehend instructions, follow directions or remember skills. Examples include sitting and standing balance activities that help a patient recover the ability to sit upright in a seat or wheel-chair, or safely transfer from the wheelchair to a toilet.
    * This also does not apply to those patients who have the potential to recover abilities to remember or follow directions, and treatment may be aimed at rehabilitating these abilities, such as following a traumatic brain injury.
  * The use of therapy equipment such as therapeutic pools or gym machines alone does not necessarily make the treatment skilled.
  * Medicare does not cover packaged or predetermined therapy services or programs, such as Back Schools or pre-operative joint classes with preset educational activities and exercises for all participants involved. Services must be individualized, medically necessary and require the unique skills of a therapist. (Packaged or predetermined therapy services do not apply to post-surgical protocols that provide ranges and guidance.)

**Personnel Authorized to Provide Outpatient Therapy Services**  
Medicare billable therapy services may be provided by any of the following
within their scope of practice and consistent with state and local law:

  * physician;
  * non-physician practitioner (NPP) (physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists);
  * qualified physical and occupational therapists, speech language pathologists*, and assistants working under the supervision of a qualified therapist;
  * qualified personnel, with or without a license to practice therapy, who have been educated and trained as therapists and qualify to furnish therapy services only under direct supervision incident to a physician or NPP.

*Please refer to the LCD for Speech Language Pathology (L33580) for further coverage information on speech language pathology services.

**Personnel NOT Authorized to Provide Outpatient Therapy Services**  
Students*, aides, athletic trainers, exercise physiologists, massage
therapists, recreation therapists, kinesiotherapists, low vision specialists,
lymphedema specialists, pilates instructors, rehabilitation technicians and
life skills trainers are not considered qualified therapy professionals and
may not bill their services under the Medicare therapy benefit, even if
performed under the supervision of a qualified therapist.

*See Therapy Students section in the related Billing and Coding article for further clarification regarding student participation in treatment.   
  
CMS established the qualifications to assure that all personnel who provide
therapy services are suitably trained in the discipline they practice.
Personnel who do not meet the applicable professional standards to be
considered qualified professional/personnel cannot furnish or be paid for
physical or occupational therapy services.  
  
 ** **Private Practice Therapy Services**  
** All therapy medical necessity, certification, documentation and coding
guidelines of this LCD apply to all outpatient settings, including therapy
services provided by private practitioners. In addition, in the private
practice setting, all services not performed by the therapist must be
performed by an assistant who is an employee of the practice and must be under
direct supervision of the therapist. **  
**

**Therapy Provided by Physicians and Physician Employees **

Physical and occupational therapy services may be provided by physicians, non-
physician practitioners (NPPs), or incident-to the services of physicians/NPPs
when provided by physical or occupational therapists, in the office or home.
All therapy medical necessity, certification, documentation, and coding
guidelines of this LCD apply with one exception. When therapy services are
performed incident-to a physician's/NPP's service, the _therapist_ does not
need a license to practice therapy, unless it is required by state law. All
other physical or occupational therapist qualifications (education and
training) must be met. Therapy services must be directly supervised.

**Indications and Limitations of Coverage and/or Medical Necessity for
specific modalities and procedures:** **  
  
**Therapy services should be provided in a manner that meets the patient 's
needs. The treatment plan should strive to provide treatment in the most
efficient and effective manner, balancing the best achievable outcome with the
appropriate resources. This LCD provides recommendations intended to assist
qualified professionals/auxiliary personnel in documenting to support both the
medical necessity and the skilled nature of the therapy services provided. In
addition, any numerical guidelines related to individual codes in this section
of the LCD, are based on contractor medical review experience. These are
provided to remind qualified professionals/auxiliary personnel of the
importance of justifying therapy services in the documentation as the patient
progresses through an episode of care. Documentation must be sufficient to
demonstrate the specifics of the therapy provided so that it may be determined
that the treatment was medically necessary. Please refer to CMS publication
100-02, _Medicare Benefit Policy Manual_ , Chapter 15, section 220.3 for the
Medicare minimal documentation requirements for therapy services. **  
  
 **Physical therapy evaluation  
Occupational therapy evaluation**  
**The initial evaluation should document the necessity of a course of therapy
through objective findings and subjective patient/caregiver self-reporting.
Initial evaluations must be completed by the therapist or physician/NPP that
will be providing the therapy services. Initial evaluations are completed to
determine the medical necessity of initiating rehabilitative therapy or
skilled instruction in maintenance activities that the patient and/or
caregiver can perform at home.  
  
Initial evaluation may be warranted when there is a change in functional
ability. The evaluation should clearly describe the presenting complaint or
problem for which the patient is seeking services of the physical or
occupational therapist.  
  
The evaluation process assesses, for example, the severity and impact of the
current problem, the possibility of multi-site or multi-system involvement,
the presence of pre-existing systemic conditions (e.g., diseases), and the
stability of the condition. If the patient presents with multi-system
involvement and/or multiple site involvement, all pertinent areas/conditions
should be assessed at the initial evaluation (i.e., cervical pain and knee
pain; low back pain and rotator cuff irritation; cervical pain and low back
pain). Only one initial evaluation code should be used, reflecting the level
of complexity of the evaluation, and all presenting complaints and problems
evaluated. If over the course of an episode of treatment, a new, unrelated
diagnosis occurs, another initial evaluation may be covered.  
  
Initial evaluations may be covered when the documentation justifies the need
for a skilled therapy evaluation, even if it is determined that the patient
does not require a skilled level of treatment.

Screening may be more appropriate than evaluation in some circumstances. For
example, a patient develops an acute lateral epicondylitis from painting. The
patient seeks physician attention who subsequently recommends that the patient
see an occupational therapist. By the time the patient sees the OT, she
presents without any pain and has resumed all normal functional activities.
Completing a screening interview of this patient should lead the therapist to
determine that an OT evaluation and treatment would not be medically
necessary.

  *  A screening is the gathering of information to determine the need for further evaluation by the clinician. The screening process may include a review of the patient's medical record, a patient interview and observation of the patient.
  * Routine screening is not a billable service. Although some regulations and state practice acts require screening evaluations at specific intervals (such as at admission to a nursing home, or quarterly during the patient's stay), for Medicare payment, evaluations must meet Medicare coverage guidelines.

Initial evaluations from other therapy disciplines performed on the same
beneficiary may also be covered, provided the evaluation and plan of care are
not duplicative.  
  
Consider the following points when billing for an evaluation.

  * Evaluations for deconditioning after hospitalization where it is anticipated that prior functional abilities would spontaneously return through patient, caregiver and/or nursing activities are not considered medically necessary and are not covered.
  * Pre-operative evaluations performed routinely to ascertain the patient's post-surgical needs and/or to explain the services that will be provided post-operatively are non-covered. The patient's post-op experience and functional limitations are unknown prior to the surgery and will at that time require a new evaluation of the situation when medically necessary.
  * Driving assessments provided under an occupational therapy plan of care are covered only when there is a reasonable expectation that the patient's ability to drive will be restored or improved. The need for the assessment must be related to the presence of, or recovery from, a specific injury or illness. Generalized aging, weakness or debility do not qualify as Medicare covered conditions for assessment or therapy services. Assessment for the sole purpose of disqualifying a patient from driving is not a covered benefit.

  
**Physical therapy reevaluation  
Occupational therapy reevaluation**  
Reevaluation provides additional objective information not included in other
documentation, such as treatment or progress notes.  
  
Reevaluations are distinct from therapy assessments. Assessments are
considered a routine aspect of intervention and are not billed separately from
the intervention. For example, a patient is being seen in physical or
occupational therapy for shoulder pain and limited shoulder functional range
of motion due to capsular tightness. Prior to performing shoulder joint
mobilizations, the therapist assesses the patient's ROM and pain level/pattern
to determine the effect of prior treatment and, if further mobilization is
warranted, to determine the appropriate mobilizations. After the mobilizations
are completed, the ROM is assessed again to determine the effects of the
treatment just performed. The time required to assess the patient before and
after the intervention is added to the minutes of the treatment intervention.

  
Consider the following points when billing for a reevaluation.

  * When reevaluations are done for a significant change in condition, documentation must show a significant improvement, decline or change in the patient's diagnosis, condition or functional status that was not anticipated in the current plan of care. When a patient exhibits a demonstrable change in functional ability, a reevaluation may be necessary to revise long term goals and interventions. The plan of care may need to be revised and recertified if significant changes are made, such as a change in the long-term goals.
  * If a patient is hospitalized during the therapy interval, a reevaluation may be medically necessary if there has been a significant change in the patient's condition which has caused a change in function, long term goals, and/or treatment plan.
  * Reevaluations may be appropriate at a planned discharge when documentation supports the medical necessity for the reevaluation service.

** ** **MODALITIES**  
  
Modalities chosen to treat the patient's symptoms/conditions should be
selected based on the most effective and efficient means of achieving the
patient's functional goals. Seldom should a patient require more than one (1)
or two (2) modalities to the same body part during the therapy session. Use of
more than two (2) modalities on each visit date is unusual and should be
carefully justified in the documentation.  
  
The use of modalities as stand-alone treatments is rarely therapeutic, and
usually not required or indicated as the sole treatment approach to a
patient's condition. The use of exercise and activities has proven to be an
essential part of a therapeutic program. Therefore, a treatment plan should
not consist solely of modalities, but should also include therapeutic
procedures. (There are exceptions, including wound care or when patient care
is focused on modalities because the acute patient is unable to endure
therapeutic procedures.) Use of only passive modalities that exceeds 4 visits
should be very well supported in the documentation.  
  
Multiple heating modalities should not be used on the same day. Exceptions are
rare and usually involve musculoskeletal pathology/injuries in which both
superficial and deep structures are impaired. Documentation must support the
use of multiple modalities as contributing to the patient's progress and
restoration of function. For example, it would not be medically necessary to
perform both thermal ultrasound and thermal diathermy on the same area, in the
same visit, as both are considered deep heat modalities.  
  
When the symptoms that required the use of certain modalities begin to subside
and function improves, the medical record should reflect the discontinuation
of those modalities, so as to determine the patient's ability to self-manage
any residual symptoms. As the patient improves, the medical record should
reflect a progression of the other procedures of the treatment program
(therapeutic exercise, therapeutic activities, etc.). In all cases, the
patient and/or caregiver should be taught aspects of self-management of
his/her condition from the start of therapy.  
  
 **Hot or cold packs (to one or more areas)**  
Hot or cold packs (including ice massage) applied in the absence of associated
procedures or modalities, or used alone to reduce discomfort are considered
not to require the unique skills of a therapist.

**Traction, Mechanical (to one or more areas)**  
Traction is generally limited to the cervical or lumbar spine with the
expectation of relieving pain in or originating from those areas.  
  
Specific indications for the use of mechanical traction include cervical
and/or lumbar radiculopathy and back disorders such as disc herniation,
lumbago, and sciatica.  
  
This modality is typically used in conjunction with therapeutic procedures,
not as an isolated treatment.  
  
Equipment and tables utilizing roller systems are not considered true
mechanical traction. Services using this type of equipment are non-covered.

**Vasopneumatic Devices (to one or more areas)**  
The use of vasopneumatic devices may be considered reasonable and necessary
for the application of pressure to an extremity for the purpose of reducing
edema or lymphedema.  
  
Specific indications for the use of vasopneumatic devices include reduction of
edema after acute injury or lymphedema of an extremity. Education on the use
of a lymphedema pump for home use is covered when medically necessary and can
typically be completed in three (3) or fewer visits once the patient has
demonstrated measurable benefit in the clinic environment.  
  
Note: Further treatment of lymphedema by a vasopneumatic device rendered by a
clinician after the educational visits is generally not reasonable and
necessary unless the patient presents with a condition or status requiring the
skills and knowledge of a physical or occupational therapist.  
  
The use of vasopneumatic devices is generally not covered as a temporary
treatment while awaiting receipt of ordered compression stockings.

**Paraffin Bath (to one or more areas)**  
Paraffin bath treatments typically do not require the unique skills of a  
therapist. However, the skills, knowledge and judgment of a therapist might be
required in the provision of such treatment or baths in a complicated case.
Only in cases with complicated conditions will paraffin be covered, and then
coverage is generally limited to educating the patient/caregiver in home use.
Paraffin is contraindicated for open wounds or areas with documented
desensitization.

**Whirlpool (to one or more areas)**  
Whirlpool bath treatments typically do not require the unique skills of a
therapist. However, therapist supervision of the whirlpool modality may be
medically necessary for the following indications:

  * a condition complicated by a circulatory deficiency or areas of desensitization;
  * an open wound which is draining, has a foul odor, or necrotic tissue;
  * exfoliative skin impairments.

Dry hydrotherapy massage (also known as aquamassage, hydromassage, or water
massage) is considered investigational and is non-covered.

**Diathermy (i.e., microwave)**  
The objective of these treatments is to cause vasodilation and relieve pain
from muscle spasm. Because heating is accomplished without physical contact
between the modality and the skin, it can be used even if skin is abraded, as
long as there is no significant edema.  
Diathermy achieves a greater rise in deep tissue temperature than microwave.
As diathermy is considered a deep heat treatment, careful consideration should
be given to the size, location and depth of the tissue the diathermy is
intended to heat. For example, it may not be appropriate to perform diathermy
treatment to the wrist or hand as most intended tissues would be considered
superficial and the area is relatively small.  
  
Diathermy may be indicated when a large area of deep tissues requires heat. It
would not be reasonable and necessary to perform both thermal ultrasound and
diathermy to the same region of the body in the same visit as both are
considered deep heat modalities.  
  
Pulsed wave diathermy is covered for the same conditions and to the same
extent as standard diathermy. (CMS Publication 100-03, _Medicare National
Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual_ , Section 150.5)  
  
Diathermy is not considered reasonable and necessary for the treatment of
asthma, bronchitis, or any other pulmonary condition. (CMS Publication 100-03,
_Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual_ , Section 240.3)
Microwave is not a covered service.

**Ultraviolet (to one or more areas)**  
Treatment of this type is generally used for patients requiring the
application of a drying heat. For example, this treatment would be considered
reasonable and necessary for the treatment of severe psoriasis where there is
limited range of motion.

**  Electrical stimulation (manual) (to one or more areas), each 15 minutes**

Utilization of electrical stimulation may be necessary during the initial
phase of treatment, but there must be an improvement in function. These
modalities should be utilized with appropriate therapeutic procedures to
effect continued improvement. Note: Coverage for this indication is limited to
those patients where the nerve supply to the muscle is intact, including
brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, and other non-neurological reasons
for disuse are causing the atrophy (e.g., post-casting or splinting of a limb,
and contracture due to soft tissue scarring).  
Documentation must clearly support the medical necessity of electrical
stimulation more than 12 visits as adjunctive therapy or for muscle
retraining.  
  
Some patients can be trained in the use of a home muscle stimulator for
retraining weak muscles. Only 1-2 visits should be necessary to complete the
training. Once training is completed, this procedure should not be billed as a
treatment modality in the clinic.  
  
_Non-covered Indications_

  * Electrical Stimulation used in the treatment of facial nerve paralysis, commonly known as Bell's palsy (CMS Manual 100-03, _Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual_ , section 160.15)
  * Electrical Stimulation used to treat motor function disorders such as multiple sclerosis (CMS Manual 100-03, _Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual_ , section 160.2)
  * Electrical Stimulation for the treatment of strokes when it is determined there is no potential for restoration of function
  * Electrical Stimulation when it is the only intervention utilized purely for strengthening of a muscle with at least Fair graded strength. Most muscle strengthening is more efficiently accomplished through a treatment program that includes active procedures such as therapeutic exercises and therapeutic activities.

****Iontophoresis (to one or more areas)**  
** Iontophoresis is the introduction into the tissues, by means of an electric
current, of the ions of a chosen medication. This modality is used to reduce
pain and edema caused by a local inflammatory process in soft tissue, e.g.,
tendonitis, bursitis.  
  
The evidence from published, peer-reviewed literature is insufficient to
conclude that the iontophoretic delivery of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids is superior to placebo when used for the
treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, iontophoresis will not be
covered for these indications. **  
  
** Iontophoresis will be allowed for treatment of intractable, disabling
primary focal hyperhidrosis that has not been responsive to recognized
standard therapy. Good hygiene measures, extra-strength antiperspirants (for
axillary hyperhidrosis), and topical aluminum chloride should initially be
tried. **  
  
 **Contrast Baths (to one or more areas)**  
** Contrast baths are a form of therapeutic heat and cold applied to distal
extremities in an alternating pattern. The effectiveness of contrast baths is
thought to be due to reflex hyperemia produced by the alternating exposure to
heat and cold.  
  
Hot and cold baths ordinarily do not require the skills of a therapist.
However, the skills, knowledge and judgment of a therapist might be required
in the provision of such treatments in a particular case, e.g., where the
patient's condition is complicated by circulatory deficiency, areas of
desensitization, open wounds, fracture or other complication. **  
**

No more than 2 visits will generally be covered to educate the patient and/or
caregiver in home use, and to evaluate effectiveness. Documentation must
support the medical necessity of continued use of this modality for greater
than 2 visits.

**Ultrasound (to one or more areas)**  
  
Therapeutic ultrasound is a deep heating modality that produces a sound wave
of 0.8 to 3.0 MHz. In the human body ultrasound has several pronounced effects
on biologic tissues. It is attenuated by certain tissues and reflected by
bone. Thus, tissues lying immediately next to bone may receive as much as 30%
greater dosage of ultrasound than tissue not adjacent to bone. Because of the
increased extensibility ultrasound produces in tissues of high collagen
content, combined with the close proximity of joint capsules, tendons, and
ligaments to cortical bone where tissue may receive a more intense
irradiation, ultrasound is an ideal modality for increasing mobility in those
tissues.  
  
Covered ultrasound may be pulsed or continuous width, and should be used in
conjunction with therapeutic procedures, not as an isolated treatment.  
  
Specific indications for the use of ultrasound application include but are not
limited to:

  * limited joint motion that requires an increase in extensibility;
  * symptomatic soft tissue calcification;
  * neuromas.

Ultrasound application is not considered reasonable and necessary for the
treatment of:

  * asthma, bronchitis, or any other pulmonary condition;
  * conditions for which the ultrasound can be applied by the patient without the need for a therapist or other professional to administer, and/or for extended period of time (e.g., devices such as PainShield MD);
  * wounds. (see list ** "ICD-10 Codes that DO NOT Support Medical Necessity" **in the related Billing and Coding Article.

  
****Hubbard Tank (to one or more areas)****

This modality involves the patient's immersion in a tank of agitated water in
order to relieve muscle spasm, improve circulation, or cleanse wounds, ulcers,
or exfoliative skin conditions.  
  
Qualified professional/auxiliary personnel one-on-one supervision of the
patient is required. If the level of care does not require the skills of a
therapist, then the service is not covered.  
  
It is not medically necessary to have more than one form of hydrotherapy
during a visit.  
 **  
 ** ** **Electrical stimulation (unattended), to one or more areas for
indication(s) other than wound care, as part of a therapy plan of care  
********

These modalities should be utilized with appropriate therapeutic procedures to
effect continued improvement. Note: Coverage for this indication is limited to
those patients where the nerve supply to the muscle is intact, including
brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, and other non-neurological reasons
for disuse are causing the atrophy (e.g., post-casting or splinting of a limb,
and contracture due to soft tissue scarring).  
 __

_Non-Implantable Pelvic Floor Electrical Stimulation_  
(CMS Publication 100-03, _Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD)
Manual_ , section 230.8.)



  * Pelvic floor electrical stimulation with a non-implantable stimulator is covered for the treatment of stress and/or urge urinary incontinence in cognitively intact patients who have failed a documented trial of pelvic muscle exercise (PME) training.
  * A failed trial of PME training is defined as no clinically significant improvement in urinary continence after completing 4 weeks of pelvic muscle exercises designed to increase periurethral muscle strength.

**THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES**  
  
 **General Guidelines for Therapeutic Procedures**  
  
Therapeutic procedures attempt to reduce impairments and restore function
through the application of clinical skills and/or services. Use of these
procedures is expected to result in improvement of the limitations/deficits in
a reasonable and generally predictable period of time.  
  
Use of these procedures requires the qualified professional/auxiliary
personnel to have direct (one-on-one) patient contact. Only the actual time of
direct contact with the patient providing a service which requires the skills
of a therapist is considered for coverage. Supervision of a previously taught
exercise or exercise program, patients performing an exercise independently
without direct contact by the qualified professional/auxiliary personnel, or
use of different exercise equipment without requiring the intervention/skills
of the qualified professional/ auxiliary personnel are not covered. The
patient may be in the facility for a longer period of time, but only the time
the qualified professional/auxiliary personnel is actually providing direct,
one-on-one, patient contact which requires the skills of a therapist is
considered covered time for these procedures, and only those minutes of
treatment should be recorded.  
  
 **Therapeutic Exercises to develop strength and endurance, range of motion
and flexibility (one or more areas, each 15 minutes)**  
Therapeutic exercises are used for the purpose of restoring strength,
endurance, range of motion and flexibility where loss or restriction is a
result of a specific disease or injury and has resulted in a functional
limitation. Therapeutic exercises may require active, active-assisted, or
passive participation by the patient (e.g., isokinetic exercise, lumbar
stabilization, stretching and strengthening).  
  
Many therapeutic exercises may require the unique skills of a therapist to
evaluate the patient's abilities, design the program, and instruct the patient
or caregiver in safe completion of the special technique. However, after the
teaching has been successfully completed, repetition of the exercise, and
monitoring for the completion of the task, in the absence of additional
skilled care, is non-covered.  
  
For example, as part of the initial therapy program following total knee
arthroplasty (TKA), a patient may start a session on the exercise bike to
begin gentle range of motion activity. Initially the patient requires skilled
progression in the program from pedal-rocks, building to full revolutions,
perhaps assessing and varying the seat height and resistance along the way.
Once the patient is able to safely exercise on the bike, no longer requiring
frequent assessment and progression, even if set up is required, the bike now
becomes an "independent" program and is no longer covered by Medicare. While
the qualified professional/auxiliary personnel may still require the patient
to "warm up" on the bike prior to other therapeutic interventions, it is
considered a non-skilled, unbillable service and should not be included in the
total timed code treatment minutes. _Non-skilled interventions need not be
recorded in the Treatment Notes as they are not billable_. However, notation
of non-skilled exercises may be reported if the documentation indicates that
the service was not billed (e.g., not included in the treatment minutes
documented).  
  
Exercises to promote overall fitness, flexibility, endurance (in absence of a
complicated patient condition), aerobic conditioning, or weight reduction, are
not covered.

Maintenance exercises to maintain range of motion and/or strength may only be
covered when all criteria above for skilled maintenance therapy are met. In
addition, exercises that do not require, or no longer require, the skilled
assessment and intervention of a qualified professional/auxiliary personnel
are non-covered. Repetitive type exercises often can be taught to the patient
or a caregiver as part of a self-management, caregiver or nursing program.  
  
Lack of exercise equipment at home does not make continued treatment in the
clinic skilled or reasonable and necessary. The home program may need to be
carried out through community resources.  
  

**Neuromuscular Re-education of movement, balance, coordination, kinesthetic
sense, posture, and/or proprioception for sitting and/or standing activities
(one or more areas, each 15 minutes)**  
This therapeutic procedure is provided for the purpose of restoring balance,
coordination, kinesthetic sense, posture, and proprioception (e.g.,
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), BAP's boards, vestibular
rehabilitation, desensitization techniques, balance and posture training).  
  
This procedure may be reasonable and necessary for restoring prior function
which has been affected by:

  * loss of deep tendon reflexes and vibration sense accompanied by paresthesia, burning, or diffuse pain of the feet, lower legs, and/or fingers;
  * nerve palsy, such as peroneal nerve injury causing foot drop;
  * muscular weakness or flaccidity as result of a cerebral dysfunction, a nerve injury or disease or having had a spinal cord disease or trauma;
  * poor static or dynamic sitting/standing balance;
  * postural abnormalities;
  * loss of gross and fine motor coordination;
  * hypo/hypertonicity.

Vestibular ocular reflex training is another example where the service is
mainly a patient self-directed therapy exercise following initial education.
There is moderate evidence that correctly educated patients benefit from
performing these exercises regularly in their home. This training can be an
integral component, but not a separately payable service, of appropriate
balance and gait re-training, where clinically indicated.

It may not be reasonable and necessary to extend visits for a patient with
falls, or any patient receiving therapy services, if the purpose of the
extended visits is to:

  * remind the patient to ask for assistance;
  * offer close supervision of activities due to poor safety awareness;
  * remind a patient to slow down;
  * offer routine verbal cues for compensatory or adaptive techniques already taught;
  * remind a patient to use an assistive device; or
  * train multiple caregivers

In these instances, once the appropriate cues have been determined by the
qualified professional/auxiliary personnel, training of caregivers can be
provided and the care should be turned over to supportive personnel or
caregivers since repetitive cues and reminders do not require the skills of a
therapist.  
  
 ** **Aquatic Therapy with Therapeutic Exercises (one or more areas, each 15
minutes)**  
** Aquatic therapy refers to any therapeutic exercise, therapeutic activity,
neuromuscular re-education, or gait activity that is performed in a water
environment including whirlpools, hubbard tanks, underwater treadmills and
pools.  
  
This procedure may be reasonable and necessary for the loss or restriction of
joint motion, strength, mobility, balance or function due to pain, injury, or
illness by using the buoyancy and resistance properties of water.  
  
Aquatic therapy may be considered reasonable and necessary for a patient
without the ability to tolerate land-based exercises for rehabilitation.
Aquatic therapy exercises should be used to facilitate progression to land
based therapy and to increased function. The qualified professional/auxiliary
personnel does not need to be in the water with the patient unless there is an
identified safety issue.  
  
Exercises in the water environment to promote overall fitness, flexibility,
improved endurance, aerobic conditioning, or weight reduction, are not
covered. Exercises in the water environment for maintenance purposes may only
be covered when all criteria above for skilled maintenance therapy are met.  
  
If continued aquatic exercise is needed, the patient should be instructed in a
home program during these visits. Lack of pool facilities at home does not
make continued treatment skilled or reasonable and necessary. The home program
may need to be carried out through community resources. **  
  
** Consider the following points when providing aquatic therapy services.

  * Does your patient require the skills as a therapist, or could the patient achieve functional improvement through a community-based aquatic exercise program?
  * There are a limited number of therapeutic exercises generally performed in the water. These exercises become repetitive quickly. Once a patient can demonstrate an exercise safely, you may no longer bill Medicare for the time it takes the patient to perform this now independent exercise. If the same exercise is performed over a number of sessions, the documentation must describe the skilled nature of the qualified professional's/auxiliary personnel's intervention during the therapeutic exercise to support the ongoing medical necessity.
  * Patients who will not be continuing their water-based program as a maintenance program should be transitioned to land-based exercises as soon as reasonably possible for the patient's condition.

****Gait Training (includes stair climbing) (one or more areas, each 15
minutes)****

This procedure may be reasonable and necessary for training patients and
instructing caregivers in ambulating patients whose walking abilities have
been impaired by neurological, muscular, or skeletal abnormalities or trauma.  
  
Indications for gait training include, but are not limited to:

  * a cerebral vascular accident resulting in impairment in the ability to ambulate, now stabilized and ready to begin rehabilitation;
  * musculoskeletal trauma, requiring ambulation reeducation;
  * a chronic, progressively debilitating condition for which safe ambulation has recently become a concern;
  * an injury or condition that requires instruction in the use of a walker, crutches, or cane;
  * a patient fitted with a brace or lower limb orthosis or prosthesis and requires instruction in ambulation;
  * a condition that requires retraining in stairs/steps or other uneven surfaces appropriate to home and community function (ramps, inclines, curbs, grass, etc.);
  * instructing a caregiver in appropriate guarding and assistive techniques.

Gait training is not considered reasonable and necessary when the patient's
walking ability is not expected to improve.  
  
Repetitive walk-strengthening exercise (such as for feeble patients or to
increase endurance or gait distance) does not require the skills of the
therapist and is considered not reasonable and necessary and is non-covered.  
  
Antalgic gait alone does not support the need for ongoing skilled gait
training. Antalgic gait refers to a gait pattern assumed in order to avoid or
lessen pain. Limited gait training may be appropriate, when supported as
medically necessary in the documentation, to teach the patient improved gait
patterns to reduce the stress on the painful area. In most circumstances, as
the pain decreases (with or without skilled therapy intervention) the gait
will improve spontaneously without the need for skilled gait training
intervention.  
  
 _ _Coverage for NMES/FES for walking will be covered in SCI patients with all
of the following characteristics:  
__

  * Persons with intact lower motor units (L1 and below) (both muscle and peripheral nerve);
  * Persons with muscle and joint stability for weight bearing at upper and lower extremities that can demonstrate balance and control to maintain an upright support posture independently;
  * Persons that demonstrate brisk muscle contraction to NMES and have sensory perception [of] electrical stimulation sufficient for muscle contraction;
  * Persons that possess high motivation, commitment and cognitive ability to use such devices for walking;
  * Persons that can transfer independently and can demonstrate independent standing tolerance for at least 3 minutes;
  * Persons that can demonstrate hand and finger function to manipulate controls;
  * Persons with at least 6-month post recovery spinal cord injury and restorative surgery;
  * Persons with[out] hip and knee degenerative disease and no history of long bone fracture secondary to osteoporosis; and
  * Persons who have demonstrated a willingness to use the device long-term.

(Italicized information about NMES for walking in SCI patients is from CMS
Publication 100-03, _Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual_ ,
section 160.12)

**Massage, including effleurage, petrissage and/or tapotement (stroking,
compression, percussion) (one or more areas, each 15 minutes)** Massage may be
medically necessary as adjunctive treatment to another therapeutic procedure
on the same day, which is designed to reduce edema, improve joint motion, or
relieve muscle spasm.  
  
Massage chairs, aquamassage tables and roller beds are not considered massage.
These services are non-covered.  
  
Massage is not covered as an isolated treatment.  
  

**Manual Therapy Techniques (e.g.,mobilization/manipulation, manual lymphatic
drainage, manual traction), one or more regions, each 15 minutes**

  * _Manual traction_ may be considered reasonable and necessary for cervical dysfunctions such as cervical pain and cervical radiculopathy.
  * _Joint Mobilization_ (peripheral and/or spinal) may be considered reasonable and necessary if restricted or painful joint motion is present and documented. It may be reasonable and necessary as an adjunct to therapeutic exercises when loss of articular motion and flexibility impedes the therapeutic procedure.
  * _Myofascial release/soft tissue mobilization_ , one or more regions, may be reasonable and necessary for treatment of restricted motion of soft tissues in involved extremities, neck, and trunk. Skilled manual techniques (active or passive) are applied to soft tissue to effect changes in the soft tissues, articular structures, neural or vascular systems.
  * _Manipulation_ , which is a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust technique or Grade V thrust technique, may be reasonable and necessary for treatment of painful spasm or restricted motion in the periphery, extremities or spinal regions.
  * _Manual lymphatic drainage/complex decongestive therapy (MLD/CDT)_   
MLD / CDT is indicated for both primary and secondary lymphedema. Lymphedema
in the Medicare population is usually secondary lymphedema, caused by known
precipitating factors. Common causes include surgical removal of lymph nodes,
fibrosis secondary to radiation, and traumatic injury to the lymphatic system.  
  
Both primary and secondary lymphedemas are chronic and progressive conditions
which can be brought under long-term control with effective management. By
maintaining control of the lymphedema, patients can:  

    * restore a normal, or near-normal, shape;
    * reduce the potential for complications (e.g., cellulitis, lymphangitis, deformity, injury, fibrosis, lymphangiosarcoma (rare), etc.);
    * reduce functional deficits to resume activities of daily living.
  * MLD/CDT consists of skin care, manual lymph drainage, compression wrapping, and therapeutic exercises. Coverage of MLD / CDT would only be allowed if all of the following conditions have been met:  

    * there is a physician-documented diagnosis of lymphedema (primary or secondary);
    * the patient has documented signs or symptoms of lymphedema;
    * the patient or patient caregiver has the ability to understand and comply with the continuation of the treatment regimen at home.
  * The goal of treatment is to reduce lymphedema of an extremity by routing the fluid to functional pathways, preventing backflow as the new routes become established, and to use the most appropriate methods to maintain such reduction of the extremity after therapy is complete. This therapy involves intensive treatment to reduce the volume by a combination of manual decongestive therapy and serial compression bandaging, followed by an exercise program. Ultimately the plan must be to transfer the responsibility of care from the therapist to management by the patient, patient's family, or patient's caregiver. 
    * In moderate-severe lymphedema, daily visits may be required for the first week.
    * Education should be provided to the patient and/or caregiver on the correct application of the compression bandage.
  * MLD/CDT is not covered for: 
    * conditions reversible by exercise or elevation of the affected area;
    * dependent edema related to congestive heart failure or other cardiomyopathies;
    * patients who do not have the physical and cognitive abilities, or support systems, to accomplish self-management in a reasonable time;
    * continuing treatment for a patient non-compliant with a program for self-management.

****Therapeutic Procedure(s), Group (2 or more individuals)  
****

Group therapy procedures involve constant attendance of the physician, NPP,
therapist, or assistant, but by definition do not require one-on-one patient
contact.

Supervision of a previously taught exercise program or supervising patients
who are exercising independently is not a skilled service and is not covered
as group therapy or as any other therapeutic procedure. Supervision of
patients exercising on machines or exercise equipment, in the absence of the
delivery of skilled care, is not a skilled service and is not covered as group
therapy or as any other therapeutic procedure. _  
  
_Non-covered as group therapy

  * Groups directed by a student, therapy aide, rehabilitation technician, nursing aide, recreational therapist, exercise physiologist, or athletic trainer
  * Routine (i.e., supportive) groups that are part of a maintenance program, nursing rehabilitation program, or recreational therapy program
  * Groups using biofeedback for relaxation
  * Viewing videotapes; listening to audiotapes
  * Group treatment that does not require the unique skills of a therapist

**Therapeutic Activities, direct (one-on-one) patient contact (use of dynamic
activities to improve functional performance), each 15 minutes**  
  
Therapeutic activities are considered reasonable and necessary for patients
needing a broad range of rehabilitative techniques that involve movement.
Movement activities can be for a specific body part or could involve the
entire body. This procedure involves the use of functional activities (e.g.,
bending, lifting, carrying, reaching, catching, pushing, pinching, grasping,
transfers, bed mobility and overhead activities) to restore functional
performance in a progressive manner. The activities are usually directed at a
loss or restriction of mobility, strength, balance, or coordination. They
require the skills of the therapist to design the activities to address a
specific functional need of the patient and to instruct the patient in their
performance. These dynamic activities must be part of an active treatment plan
and must be directed at a specific outcome.  
  
In order for therapeutic activities to be covered, the following requirements
must be met:

  * the patient has a documented condition for which therapeutic activities can reasonably be expected to restore or improve functioning;
  * there is a clear correlation between the type of therapeutic activity performed and the patient's underlying medical condition;
  * the patient's condition is such that he/she is unable to perform the therapeutic activities without the skilled intervention of the qualified professional/auxiliary personnel.

**Development of cognitive skills to improve attention, memory, problem
solving, (includes compensatory training) direct (one-on-one) patient contact,
each 15 minutes**  
  
This activity is designed to improve attention, memory, and problem-solving,
including the use of compensatory techniques. Cognitive skill training may be
medically necessary for patients with acquired cognitive deficits resulting
from head trauma, or acute neurologic events including cerebrovascular
accidents. Impaired functions may include but are not limited to ability to
follow simple commands, attention to tasks, problem solving skills, memory,
ability to follow numerous steps in a process, perform in a logical sequence
and ability to compute. Conditions without potential for improvement or
restoration, such as chronic progressive brain conditions, would not be
appropriate. Evidence-based reviews indicate that cognitive rehabilitation
(and specifically memory rehabilitation) is not recommended for patients with
severe cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive skill training should be aimed towards
improving or restoring specific functions which were impaired by an identified
illness or injury, and expected outcomes should be reasonably attainable by
the patient as specified by the plan of care.

Those services that a patient may engage in without a skilled therapist
qualified professional/auxiliary personnel are not covered under the Medicare
benefit.

**Sensory integration**  
  
Sensory integrative techniques are performed to enhance sensory processing and
promote adaptive responses to environmental demands. These treatments are
performed when a deficit in processing input from one of the sensory systems
(e.g., vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, visual or auditory) decreases an
individual's ability to make adaptive sensory, motor and behavioral responses
to environmental demands. Individuals in need of sensory integrative
treatments demonstrate a variety of problems, including sensory defensiveness,
over-reactivity to environmental stimuli, attention difficulties, and
behavioral problems.  
  
Sensory integration treatments are often associated with pediatric
populations. For non-pediatric patients, these services may be medically
necessary for acquired sensory problems resulting from head trauma, illness,
or acute neurologic events including cerebrovascular accidents. They are not
appropriate for patients with progressive neurological conditions without
potential for functional adaptation. Therapy is not considered a cure for
sensory integrative impairments, but is used to facilitate the development of
the nervous system's ability to process sensory input differently.  
  
 ** **Self -care/home management training (e.g., activities of daily living
(ADL) and compensatory training, meal preparation, safety procedures, and
instructions in use of assistive technology devices/adaptive equipment) direct
one-on-one contact, each 15 minutes**  
**This procedure is reasonable and necessary only when it requires the skills
of a therapist, is designed to address specific needs of the patient, and is
part of an active treatment plan directed at a specific outcome.  
  
The patient must have a condition for which self-care/home management training
is reasonable and necessary. The training should be focused on a functional
limitation(s) in which there is potential for improvement in a functional task
that will be meaningful to the patient and the caregiver. The patient and/or
caregiver must have the capacity and willingness to learn from instructions.
Documentation must relate the training to expected functional goals that are
attainable by the patient.  
  
Services provided to the same patient by physical therapy and occupational
therapy may be covered if separate and distinct goals are documented in the
treatment plans and there is no duplication of services. **  
  
**Many ADL/IADL (instrumental activities of daily living) impairments may
require the unique skills of a therapist to evaluate the patient 's abilities,
design the program and instruct the patient or caregiver in safe completion of
the special technique. However, repetitious completion of the activity, once
taught and monitored, is non-covered care.

**Community/Work Reintegration Training (e.g., shopping, transportation, money
management, avocational activities and/or work environment/modification
analysis, work task analysis) direct one-on-one contact, each 15 minutes**

This training may be medically necessary when performed in conjunction with a
patient's individual treatment plan aimed at improving or restoring specific
community functions which were impaired by an identified illness or injury and
when realistically expected outcomes are specified in the plan.  
  
General activity programs, and all activities which are primarily social or
diversional in nature, will be denied because the professional skills of a
therapist are not required. Services must be necessary for medical treatment
of an illness or injury rather than related solely to specific leisure or
employment opportunities, work skills or work settings.  
  
Under the Occupational Therapy benefit, this service may be covered for the
provision of compensatory training of patients in driving techniques. The
patients must be identified as meeting Medicare criteria for coverage:

  * the need for therapy is a result of an identified injury or illness, NOT simply generalized aging, weakness or debility;
  * the need for therapy must be demonstrated by an assessment which shows the patient has a reasonable expectation of being able to drive a vehicle after being treated under an occupational therapy plan of care;
  * assessments performed only for the purpose of disqualifying the patient from driving are not a covered benefit.

**Wheelchair Management (e.g., assessment, fitting, training), each 15
minutes**  
This service is used to reflect the skilled wheelchair management intervention
clinicians provide related to the assessment, fitting and/or training for
patients who must utilize a wheelchair for mobility. This service trains the
patient, family and/or caregiver in functional activities that promote safe
wheelchair mobility and transfers. Patients who are wheelchair bound may
occasionally need skilled input on positioning to avoid pressure points,
contractures, and other medical complications.  
  
Consider the following points when providing wheelchair management services.

  * Assessment for non-specialized wheelchairs, cushions, lapboards, wheelchair trays, or lap buddies for a patient _without a complicating condition_ typically does not require the unique skills of a therapist.
  * A seating assessment is not medically necessary for every patient.
  * Skilled intervention would not be necessary for wheelchair issues that the patient can self-correct.
  * The patient/caregiver must have the capacity and willingness to learn from instructions.
  * When wheelchair and seating assessments are reasonable, care should be turned over to supportive personnel or a caregiver once the necessary modifications are completed.
  * Ongoing visits for increasing sitting times are generally not reasonable and necessary when no patient problems are documented.
  * Visits made for restraint reduction are generally non-covered.
  * It is expected that multiple wheelchair and seating deficits discovered during the initial evaluation would be treated concurrently. If not, documentation must indicate that a new problem/deficit occurred, or include rationale why a problem being treated in the later stages of therapy was not addressed previously.

**Work hardening/conditioning**  
These services are related solely to specific work skills and will be denied
as not medically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or
injury.  
  
 **Removal of devitalized tissue from wound(s), non-selective debridement** ,
without anesthesia (e.g., wet-to-moist dressings, enzymatic, abrasion, larval
therapy), including topical application(s), wound assessment, and
instruction(s) for ongoing care, per session  
  
Active wound care procedures are performed to remove devitalized tissue and
promote healing, and involve selective and non-selective debridement
techniques. Debridement is indicated whenever necrotic tissue is present in an
open wound. Debridement may also be indicated in cases of abnormal wound
healing or repair. Debridement will not be considered a reasonable and
necessary procedure for a wound that is clean and free of necrotic tissue.

Note: While debridement is considered a covered service for appropriately
selected wounds, the following services are considered non-covered for the
treatment of wounds.

  * Topical application of oxygen (CMS Publication 11-03, _Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual_ , section 270.4.)
  * Ultrasound
  * Infrared and/or near-infrared light and/or heat, including monochromatic infrared energy (MIRE) (CMS Publication 11-03, _Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual_ , section 270.6.)
  * Low Level Laser Treatment (LLLT) (refer to CPT code 0552T)
  * Magnet therapy
  * Autologous blood-derived products for chronic, non-healing wounds (CMS Publication 11-03, _Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual_ , section 270.3.)
  * Routine dressing changes
  * Non-Contact Normothermic Wound Therapy (NNWT) (CMS Publication 11-03, _Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual_ , section 270.2.)

**Negative pressure wound therapy (eg,vacuum assisted drainage collection),
utilizing durable medical equipment (dme), including topical application(s),
wound assessment, and instruction(s) for ongoing care, per session;  **  
  
 **Negative pressure wound therapy, (eg, vacuum assisted drainage collection),
utilizing disposable, non-durable medical equipment including provision of
exudate management collection system, topical application(s), wound
assessment, and instructions for ongoing care, per session;**  
  
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) involves negative pressure to the wound
bed to manage wound exudates and promote wound healing. NPWT consists of a
sterile sponge held in place with transparent film, a drainage tube inserted
into the sponge, and a connection to a vacuum source.  
  
NPWT is indicated for use as an adjunct to standard treatment in carefully
selected patients who have failed all other forms of treatment. NPWT may be
indicated for wounds such as:

  * Stage III or IV pressure ulcers;
  * Neuropathic (for example, diabetic) ulcers;
  * Chronic arterial or venous insufficiency ulcers;
  * Complications of surgically created or traumatic wounds.

  
NPWT is not covered for:

  * Stage I or II pressure ulcers;
  * Wounds with eschar if debridement is not attempted;
  * Untreated osteomyelitis within the vicinity of the wound;
  * Cancer present in the wound;
  * Active bleeding;
  * The presence of a fistula to an organ or body cavity within the vicinity of the wound.

**Physical Performance Test or Measurement (e.g., musculoskeletal, functional
capacity) with written report, each 15 minutes**  
Physical performance testing may be reasonable and necessary for patients with
neurological, musculoskeletal, or pulmonary conditions.  
  
It is not reasonable and necessary for the test to be performed and billed on
a routine basis (i.e., monthly or instead of billing a reevaluation) or to be
routinely performed on all patients treated.

**Assistive technology assessment (e.g., to restore, augment or compensate for
existing function, optimize functional tasks and/or maximize environmental
accessibility), direct one-on-one contact, with written report, each 15
minutes**  
The provider performs an assessment of the suitability and benefits of
acquiring any assistive technology device or equipment that will help restore,
augment, or compensate for existing functional ability in the patient (e.g.,
provision of large amounts of rehabilitative engineering).  
  
Coverage is specifically for assessment of mobility, seating and environmental
control systems that require high level adaptations, not for routine seating
and mobility systems (e.g., manual/power wheelchair evaluations).

**Orthotic(s) management and training (including assessment and fitting when
not otherwise reported), upper extremity(ies), lower extremity(ies) and/or
trunk, initial orthotic(s) encounter, each 15 minutes**  
  
An orthotic is a brace that includes rigid and semi-rigid components that are
used for the purpose of supporting a weak or deformed body member or
restricting or eliminating motion in a diseased or injured part of the body.
(Elastic stockings, garter belts, neoprene braces and similar devices do not
come within the scope of the definition of a brace.) HCFA Ruling 96-1
clarifies that the "orthotics" benefit is limited to leg, arm, back, and neck
braces that are used independently rather than in conjunction with, or as
components of, other medical or non-medical equipment.  
  
When consideration is made for a patient to require an orthotic, the therapist
targets the problems in performance of movements or tasks, or identifies a
part that requires immobilization, and selects the most appropriate orthotic
device, then fits the device, and trains the patient and/or caregivers in its
use and application. The goal is either to promote indicated immobilization or
to assist the patient to function at a higher level by decreasing functional
limitations or the risk of further functional limitations.  
  
The complexity of the patient's condition is to be documented to show the
medical necessity of skilled therapy to assess, fit, and instruct in the use
of the orthotic.  
  
An orthotic may be prefabricated or custom-fabricated.  
  
 _A prefabricated orthotic_ is one that is manufactured in quantity and then
modified with a specific patient in mind. A prefabricated orthotic may be
trimmed, bent, molded (with or without heat), or otherwise modified for use by
a specific patient (i.e., custom fitted). An orthotic that is assembled from
prefabricated components is considered prefabricated.  
  
 _A custom fabricated orthotic_ is one that is individually made for a
specific patient starting with basic materials including, but not limited to,
plastic, metal, leather, or cloth, from the patient's individualized
measurements.  
  
 _A molded-to-patient model orthotic_ is a particular type of custom
fabricated orthotic in which an impression of the specific body part is made
and the impression is then used to make a positive model. The orthotic is
molded from the patient-specific model.  
  
For **uncomplicated** conditions, the following services would not be
considered reasonable and necessary as they would not require the unique
skills of a therapist.

  * Issuing off-the-shelf splints for foot drop or wrist drop
  * Issuing off-the-shelf foot or elbow cradles for routine pressure relief (these are not considered orthotics)
  * Issuing "carrots" (i.e., cylindrical, cone-shaped forms) or towel rolls for hand contractures for hygiene purposes
  * Bed positioning (e.g., pillows, wedges, rolls, foot cradles to relieve potential pressure areas)

Repetitive range of motion prior to placing an orthotic/positioner to maintain
the range of motion is not reasonable and necessary when the therapeutic
intent is primarily to maintain range of motion within a chronic condition,
except when all criteria above for maintenance programs are met.  
  
Ongoing therapy visits for increasing wearing time are generally not
reasonable and necessary when patient problems related to the orthotic have
not been observed.

**Prosthetic training, upper and/or lower extremity(s), initial prosthetic(s)
encounter, each 15 minutes**  
Prosthetic training is the professional instruction necessary for a patient to
properly use an artificial device that has been developed to replace a missing
body part.  
  
Prosthetic training includes preparation of the stump, skin care, modification
of prosthetic fit (revisions to socket liner or stump socks), and initial
mobility and functional activity training.

These assessments may not be considered reasonable and necessary when a device
is newly issued or when a device is reissued or replaced after normal wear and
no modifications are needed.

**Electrical stimulation, (unattended), to one or more areas, for chronic
stage III and stage IV pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and
venous stasis ulcers not demonstrating measurable signs of healing after 30
days of conventional care, as part of a therapy plan of care  
  
Electromagnetic therapy, to one or more areas for chronic stage III and stage
IV pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic ulcers and venous stasis ulcers
not demonstrating measurable signs of healing after 30 days of conventional
care as part of a therapy plan of care**  
  
ES and electromagnetic therapy services can only be covered when performed by
a therapist, a physician or incident to a physician's service.  
  
Evaluation of the wound is an integral part of wound therapy. When providing
ES or electromagnetic therapy, the therapist must evaluate and frequently
reassess the wound, contacting the treating physician if the wound worsens

****_Other Available Therapy  Services_**  
  
 **Muscle and Range of Motion Testing**  
  
** Assessments must be provided by therapists or physician/NPP (not therapy
assistants) and include objective testing and measurement (such as ROM and
manual muscle testing) to make clinical judgments regarding the patient's
condition to determine the next step in the treatment plan.  
 **  
**On rare occasions, it may be appropriate to perform a _thorough_ range of
motion or manual muscle test during the course of treatment that is separate
from the evaluation/reevaluation. Patients with complicated conditions may
warrant specialized tests and measures with standardized reports. For example,
a patient with an incomplete C5 quadriplegia at six months post-injury may
need specialized testing for ROM or strength measurements to address specific
deficits and goals.  
  
Testing must be pertinent to the plan of care and the diagnosis. **  
**

It is not reasonable or necessary for these codes to be performed on a routine
basis or to be routinely used for all patients (e.g., monthly or in the place
of billing for a reevaluation). **  
  
** ** **Application of Casts, Strapping and Splinting Codes**  
** The casting and strapping procedures apply when the cast application or
strapping is a replacement procedure used during or after the period of
follow-up care, or when the cast application or strapping is an initial
service performed without a restorative treatment or procedure(s) to stabilize
or protect a fracture, injury, or dislocation and/or to afford comfort to a
patient. **  
  
 **General Guidelines for Casting**  
** Therapists typically do not utilize casting interventions for the treatment
of fractures. However, casting techniques used by therapists for positioning
and stretching are a covered service when an improvement can be noted in an
individual's movement patterns and skills. For example, a spastic hand can be
casted to facilitate relaxation of the fingers. Serial casting can be
essential for individuals with traumatic brain injury-induced spasticity, CVA,
and other conditions. Casting should not be utilized for basic contracture
management issues. Casting goals should objectively indicate expectation of
progress, whereas, the main function of contracture management is to decrease
the risk of further contracture. **  
  
 **General Guidelines for Strapping  
**  
** Strapping refers to the application of overlapping strips of adhesive
plaster or tape to a body part to exert pressure and hold a structure in
place. Strapping may be used to treat strains, sprains, dislocations, and some
fractures. The strapping codes are intended to be used when the desired effect
is to provide total immobilization or restriction of movement. These services
are typically performed outside a therapy plan of care. **  
  
 _Special instructions for  Strapping; Unna boot_  
**The application of Unna boot paste (zinc, gelatin, or other product) as a
bandage or "colloid" dressing, is applied to an extremity for the treatment of
dermatological, vascular, and on occasion, other conditions. These dressings
are often covered by an elastic bandage to give added support, hold the
dressing in place and provide a protective cover. Unna boot application is
appropriate in the treatment of ulcerations with and without inflammation due
to stasis dermatitis produced by vascular insufficiency. The Unna boot is also
appropriate for treating ligamentous injuries (sprains and strains) of the
ankle. Unna boots need to be changed on a regular basis, depending on the
exact type used and the indication. **  
  
**

******General Guidelines for Splinting  
******

Splinting codes, though rarely used by therapists, may be appropriate for
clinical situations (e.g., fracture, sprain, dislocation) where temporary
immobilization/fixation is required until there is further treatment
disposition.  
  
 **Biofeedback training by any modality  
  
Biofeedback training, perineal muscles, anorectal or urethral sphincter,
including EMG and/or manometry**  
Biofeedback therapy provides visual, auditory or other evidence of the status
of certain body functions so that a person can exert voluntary control over
the functions, and thereby alleviate an abnormal bodily condition. Biofeedback
therapy often uses electrical devices to transform bodily signals indicative
of such functions as heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, salivation,
peripheral vasomotor activity, and gross muscle tone into a tone or light, the
loudness or brightness of which shows the extent of activity in the function
being measured.  
  
 __ Medicare will allow biofeedback as an initial incontinence treatment
modality only when, in the opinion of the physician, that approach is most
appropriate and there is documentation of medical justification and rationale
for why a PME trial was not attempted first.  
  
Patient selection is a major part of the process and the patient should be
motivated, cognitively intact, and compliant. In addition, there must be
assurance that the pelvic floor musculature is intact. Biofeedback therapy has
proven successful for urinary incontinence when all three of the following
conditions exist:

  * the patient is capable of participation in the plan of care;
  * the patient is motivated to actively participate in the plan of care, including being responsive to the care requirements (e.g., practice and follow-through by self or caregiver); and
  * the patient's condition is appropriately treated with biofeedback (e.g., pathology does not exist preventing success of treatment).

Biofeedback is non-covered for:

  * home use of biofeedback therapy;
  * pelvic floor electrical stimulation lacking documentation of the failure of a trial of pelvic muscle exercise (PME) training, unless there is physician documentation justifying the need to initiate treatment with biofeedback before PME is attempted;
  * patients who do not have sufficient cognitive ability to adhere to and follow the PME protocol and/or cooperate in keeping a personal voiding diary.

Patients not showing improvement after 5-6 visits of retraining with
biofeedback are not likely to improve with additional sessions.  
 __

  
**Canalith repositioning procedure(s) (eg, Epley maneuver, Semont maneuver),
per day**  
Canalith repositioning is used for the treatment of benign paroxysmal
positional vertigo (BPPV). It is covered when performed by physicians,
qualified non-physician providers and therapists. The procedure is covered as
a single service per day, regardless of the duration required to provide the
service or the number of repeat services. It is anticipated that the frequency
and the total number of this service provided would be limited to five or
fewer encounters, as the patient may be able to be trained to perform these
maneuvers on his/her own without the assistance/supervision of a trained
professional. The medical record should include documentation of the plan of
care, the patient's progress, and conditions requiring continued supervision
by a trained professional. When provided during the same encounter as an E&M
service, subsequent to the diagnosis of and first encounter for the BPPV, a
significant and separately identifiable reason supporting the E&M service
should be present.  
  
 ** **Standardized cognitive performance testing (e.g., Ross Information
Processing Assessment) per hour of a qualified health care professional 's
time, both face-to-face time administering tests to the patient and time
interpreting these test results and preparing the report.  
  
****

According to CPT 2008 Changes, An Insider's View, patients who have
compromised functioning abilities due to acute neurological events such as TBI
or CVA must undergo assessment to determine if abilities such as orientation,
memory and high-level language function have been comprised and to what
extent. Health care professionals such as speech-language pathologists (SLPs)
and OTs perform a battery of test procedures called standardized cognitive
performance testing in order to make these important determinations. These
tests evaluate different aspects of neurocognitive function including memory
(short-term, long-term, and organizational), reasoning, sensory processing,
visual perceptual status, orientation, right hemisphere processing for
temporal and spatial organization, social pragmatics, and elements of
decision-making and executive function.  
  
 **Miscellaneous Services (Non-covered)**  
The following are non-covered as skilled therapy services. This is not an all
inclusive list.

  * Iontophoresis, except as indicated for primary focal hyperhidrosis
  * Anodyne
  * Low level laser treatment (LLLT)/cold laser therapy
  * Dry hydrotherapy massage (e.g., aquamassage, hydromassage, or water massage)
  * Massage chairs or roller beds
  * Interactive metronome therapy
  * Loop reflex training
  * Vestibular ocular reflex training
  * Continuous passive motion (CPM) device setup and adjustments
  * Craniosacral therapy
  * Electro-magnetic therapy, except as indicated for chronic wounds
  * Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)
  * Work-hardening programs
  * Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (not including incontinence)  

    * Due to the lack of peer reviewed evidence concerning the effect on patient health outcomes, skilled therapy interventions (e.g., ultrasound, electrical stimulation, soft tissue mobilization, and therapeutic exercise) for the treatment of the following conditions is considered investigational and thus non-covered.   

      * pelvic floor congestion
      * pelvic floor pain not of spinal origin
      * hypersensitive clitoris
      * prostatitis
      * cystourethrocele
      * enterocele
      * rectocele
      * vulvodynia
      * vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS)
  * Frequency Specific Microcurrent: non-covered due to lack of medical literature supporting the effectiveness of this therapy
  * Whole body periodic acceleration: does not meet the benefit requirement that it requires the services of a skilled professional
  * Light beam Generator therapy: non-covered due to lack of medical literature supporting the effectiveness of this therapy
  * Functional Electrical Stimulating (FES) devices other than those   
that assist in walking are not covered under Medicare [NCD 160.12].
Consequently, any services related to the evaluation for or training of
patients to use such a device is not covered. Such devices may include, but
are not limited, to the Ergys system.