Billing and Coding: Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Services

**This article contains coding guidelines that complement the Local Coverage
Determination (LCD) for Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Services
(L33631).**

**Procedure codes may be subject to National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI)
edits or OPPS packaging edits. Refer to NCCI and OPPS requirements prior to
billing Medicare.  
  
For services requiring a referring/ordering physician, the name and NPI of the
referring/ordering physician must be reported on the claim.  
**

****The diagnosis code(s) must best describe the patient's condition for which
the service was performed.  
  
A claim submitted without a valid ICD-10-CM diagnosis code will be returned to
the provider as an incomplete claim under Section 1833(e) of the Social
Security Act.  
****

Unless otherwise specified, italicized text within this article represents
quotation from CMS sources.

****CMS National Coverage provisions:****

_Services that do not meet the requirements for covered therapy services in
Medicare manuals are not payable using codes and descriptions as therapy
services. For example, services related to activities for the general good and
welfare of patients, e.g., general exercises to promote overall fitness and
flexibility, and activities to provide diversion or general motivation, do not
constitute (covered) therapy services for Medicare purposes._

_MAINTENANCE PROGRAM (MP) means a program established by a therapist that
consists of activities and/or mechanisms that will assist a beneficiary in
maximizing or maintaining the progress he or she has made during therapy or to
prevent or slow further deterioration due to a disease or illness._

_In the case of rehabilitative therapy, i _mprovement is evidenced by
successive objective measurements whenever possible. If an individual 's
expected rehabilitation potential is insignificant in relation to the extent
and duration of therapy services required to achieve such potential,
rehabilitative therapy is not reasonable and necessary.__

_Therapy is not required to effect improvement or restoration of function
where a patient suffers a transient and easily reversible loss or reduction in
function which could reasonably be expected to improve spontaneously as the
patient gradually resumes normal activities (CMS Publication 100-02, Medicare
Benefit Policy Manual, chapter 15, section 220.2(C))._

_In the case of maintenance therapy, treatment by the therapist is necessary
to maintain, prevent or slow further deterioration of the patient 's
functional status and the services cannot be safely carried out by the
beneficiary him or herself, a family member, another caregiver or unskilled
personnel. _

**Skilled Therapy** _A service is not considered a skilled therapy service
merely because it is furnished by a therapist or by a therapist/therapy
assistant under the direct or general supervision, as applicable, of a
therapist. If a service can be self-administered or safely and effectively
furnished by an unskilled person, without the direct or general supervision,
as applicable, of a therapist, the service cannot be regarded as a skilled
therapy service even though a therapist actually furnishes the service.
Similarly, the unavailability of a competent person to provide a non-skilled
service, notwithstanding the importance of the service to the patient, does
not make it a skilled service when a therapist furnishes the service._

_Skilled therapy services may be necessary to improve a patient 's current
condition, to maintain the patient's current condition, or to prevent or slow
further deterioration of the patient's condition._

__Rehabilitative 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
improvement of an impairment or functional limitation.__

___Once a maintenance program is established, coverage of therapy services to
carry out a maintenance program turns on the beneficiary 's need for skilled
care. A maintenance program can generally be performed by the beneficiary
alone or with the assistance of a family member, caregiver or unskilled
personnel. In such situations, coverage is not provided. However, skilled
therapy services are covered when an individualized assessment of the
patient's clinical condition demonstrates that the specialized judgment,
knowledge, and skills of a qualified therapist are necessary for the
performance of safe and effective services in a maintenance program.___

__While a beneficiary 's particular medical condition is a valid factor in
deciding if skilled (rehabilitative or maintenance)therapy services are
needed, a beneficiary's diagnosis or prognosis should never be the sole factor
in deciding that a service is or is not skilled. The key issue is whether the
skills of a qualified therapist are needed to treat the illness or injury, or
whether the service(s) can be carried out by non-skilled personnel__

**Therapy Students**

Qualified professionals may serve as clinical instructors for therapy students
within their scope of practice. Physical therapist assistants and occupational
therapy assistants may only serve as clinical instructors for physical
therapist assistant students and occupational therapy assistant students,
respectively, when performed under the direction and supervision of the
licensed physical or occupational therapist (in states where licensure
applies). Services performed by a student (therapy student or therapy
assistant student) are not reimbursed, even if provided under "line of sight"
supervision of the therapist. However, the services of a qualified
professional are covered, even when a student is participating in the care. To
be covered when the student is participating, the qualified professional must
be present in the room and must:

  * direct the service, making the skilled judgment and assessment, and assume responsibility for the treatment;
  * not be engaged in treating another patient or doing other tasks at the same time (such as documentation); AND must
  * sign all documentation appropriately. A student may also sign the documentation, but it is not necessary since the Part B payment is for the qualified professional's service, not for the student's services.

**Supervision Levels**

Supervision levels for outpatient therapy services depend on the setting where
they are provided. Direct supervision (in the office suite) by a physician/NPP
is required for therapists and qualified auxiliary personnel when therapy
services are provided incident to the services of a physician/NPP. Also,
direct supervision by a physical therapist (for PTAs) or occupational
therapist (for OTAs) is required when assistants provide therapy services in
the private practice setting or in the office of a physician/NPP. General
supervision (the supervising therapist is available but not necessarily on the
premises) is required by a physical therapist (for PTAs) or occupational
therapist (for OTAs) when therapy services are provided in any other setting.

**Private Practice Therapy Services**

To qualify as a private practice, each individual must be enrolled as a
private practitioner and employed in one of the following practice types:

  * unincorporated solo practice, partnership, or group practice;
  * physician/NPP group or groups that are not professional corporations, if allowed by state and local law;
  * physical or occupational therapist employed by physician/NPP group practices (PTPP, OTPP), if state and local law permits this employee relationship.

_Private practice also includes therapists who are practicing therapy as
employees of another supplier, of a professional corporation or other
incorporated therapy practice. Private practice does not include individuals
when they are working as employees of an institutional provider._

_Services should be furnished in the therapist 's or group's office or in the
patient's home. The office is defined as the location(s) where the practice is
operated during the hours that the therapist engages in the practice at that
location. If the services are furnished in a private practice office space,
that space shall be owned, leased, or rented by the practice and used for the
exclusive purpose of operating the practice. _

**Therapy Provided by Physicians and Physician Employees**

_The services of PTAs and OTAs also may not be billed incident to a physician
's/NPP's service. However, if a PT and PTA (or an OT and OTA) are both
employed in a physician's office, the services of the PTA, when directly
supervised by the PT or the services of the OTA, when directly supervised by
the OT may be billed by the physician group as PT or OT services using the
PIN/NPI of the enrolled PT (or OT). (See Section 230.4 for private practice
rules on billing services performed in a physician's office.) If the PT or OT
is not enrolled, Medicare shall not pay for the services of a PTA or OTA
billed incident to the physician's service, because they do not meet the
qualification standards in 42CFR484.4. _

**Coding Information and Documentation Requirements for Specific Services:**

**CPT 97161-97163 - Physical therapy evaluation CPT 97165-97167 - Occupational
therapy evaluation**

_When an evaluation is the only service provided by a provider/supplier in an
episode of treatment, the evaluation serves as the plan of care if it contains
a diagnosis, or in states where a therapist may not diagnose, a description of
the condition from which a diagnosis may be determined by the referring
physician/NPP. The goal, frequency, and duration of treatment are implied in
the diagnosis and one-time service. The referral/order of a physician/NPP is
the certification that the evaluation is needed and the patient is under the
care of a physician. Therefore, when evaluation is the only service, a
referral/order and evaluation are the only required documentation. If the
patient presented for evaluation without a referral or order and does not
require treatment, a physician referral/order or certification of the
evaluation is required for payment of the evaluation. A referral/order dated
after the evaluation shall be interpreted as certification of the plan to
evaluate the patient._

For initial evaluations, PTs shall use codes 97161-97163 and OTs shall use
codes 97165-97167. Physicians and other qualified non-physician providers
should use the evaluation and management codes 99201-99350 for evaluations.

Consider the following points when billing for an evaluation.

  * Do not bill for a therapy initial evaluation for each therapy discipline on more than one date of service. If an evaluation spans more than one day, the evaluation should only be billed as one unit for the entire evaluation service (typically billed on the day that the evaluation is completed). Do not count as therapy "treatment" the additional minutes needed to complete the evaluation during the subsequent session(s).
  * Do not bill test and measurement, range of motion (ROM) or manual muscle testing (MMT) codes (CPT 95851-95852, 97750, 97755) on the same day as the initial evaluation. The procedures performed are included in the initial evaluation codes and are not allowed by the Correct Coding Initiative(CCI) edits.
  * CPT codes 95831-95834 are deleted for 2020. To report manual muscle testing, please refer to evaluation codes 97161-97168.
  * Do not bill therapy screenings utilizing the evaluation codes. Screenings are not billable services.
  * If treatment is given on the same day as the initial evaluation, the treatment is billed using the appropriate CPT codes. The documentation must clearly describe the treatment that was provided in addition to the evaluation.

**CPT 97164 - Physical therapy reevaluation CPT 97168 - Occupational therapy
reevaluation**  
 _The reevaluation is focused on evaluation of progress toward current goals
and making a professional judgment about continued care, modifying goals
and/or treatment, or terminating services_.  
 _Continuous assessment of the patient 's progress is a component of the
ongoing therapy services, and is not payable as a reevaluation. _

Consider the following points when billing for a reevaluation.

  * _Indications for a reevaluation include new clinical findings, a significant change in the patient's condition, or failure to respond to the therapeutic interventions outlined in the plan of care._
  * 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.
  * Therapy reevaluations should contain all the applicable components of an initial evaluation and must be completed by a clinician. (See the Reevaluation section of Documentation Requirements for information regarding therapy assistant participation in the reevaluation process.)
  * A reevaluation is not a routine, recurring service. Do not bill for routine reevaluations, including those done for the purpose of completing an updated plan of care, a recertification report, a progress report, or a physician progress report _. Although some state regulations and practice acts require reevaluations at specific intervals, for Medicare payment, reevaluations must meet Medicare coverage guidelines._
  * These reevaluation codes are untimed, billable as one unit.
  * Do not bill for reevaluations as unlisted codes (97039, 97139, 97799) or test and measurement, ROM, MMT codes (95831-95834, 95851-95852, 97750, 97755).

**Supportive Documentation Requirements for 97161-97163, 97164, and
97165-97167, 97168  
** Refer to the _Documentation Requirements_ Section of this Article for
further information.

**General Modality Guidelines (CPT codes 97010, 97012, 97016, 97018, 97022,
97024, 97026, 97028, 97032, 97033, 97034, 97035, 97036, 97039, G0281, G0283,
and G0329)** **  
**

Based on the CPT descriptors, these modalities apply to one or more areas
treated (e.g., paraffin bath used for the left and right hand is billed as one
unit).

CPT codes 97012, 97016, 97018, 97022, 97024, 97026, and 97028 require
supervision by the qualified professional/auxiliary personnel of the patient
during the intervention.  
  

CPT codes 97032, 97033, 97034, 97035, 97036, and 97039 require direct (one-on-
one) contact with the patient by the provider (constant attendance). Coverage
for these codes indicates the provider is performing the modality and cannot
be performing another procedure at the same time. Only the actual time of the
provider's direct contact with the patient, providing services requiring the
skills of a therapist, is covered for these codes.

**Code 97010** is bundled. It may be bundled with any therapy code. Regardless
of whether code 97010 is billed alone or in conjunction with another therapy
code, this code is never paid separately. If billed alone, this code will be
denied.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements for 97010**

  * The area(s) treated
  * The type of hot or cold application

**CPT 97012** \- Traction, Mechanical (to one or more areas)  
Documentation should support the medical necessity of continued traction
treatment in the clinic for greater than 12 visits. For cervical conditions,
treatment beyond one month can usually be accomplished by self-administered
mechanical traction in the home. The time devoted to patient education related
to the use of home traction should be billed under 97012. Only 1 unit of CPT
code 97012 is generally covered per date of service. **  
**

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Non-surgical spinal decompression _is
performed for symptomatic relief of pain associated with lumbar disk problems.
The treatment combines pelvic and/or cervical traction connected to a special
table that permits the traction application. There is insufficient scientific
data to support the benefits of this technique. Therefore, non-surgical spinal
decompression is not covered by Medicare_ (CMS Publication 100-03, _Medicare
National Coverage Determinations (NCD)_ Manual: Section 160.16).

Examples of this type of non-covered procedure include, but are not limited
to, VAX-DTM, DRX-3000, DRX9000, Decompression Reduction Stabilization (DRS)
System, IDD, MedX., Spina System, Accua-Spina System, SpineMED Decompression
Table, Lordex Traction Unit, Triton DTS, and Z-Grav.

If billed for purpose of receiving a denial, these services should be billed
using CPT code 97039 and not with CPT 97012.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements for 97012**

Type of traction and part of the body to which it is applied, etiology of
symptoms requiring treatment. **  
**

**CPT 97014 - Electrical stimulation** (unattended) (to one or more areas) CPT
97014 is not a Medicare recognized code. See HCPCS code G0283 for electrical
stimulation (unattended).

**CPT 97016 - Vasopneumatic Devices** (to one or more areas)

See NCD 280.6 in CMS Publication 100-03, _Medicare National Coverage
Determinations (NCD) Manual_ for further coverage and use information on
Pneumatic Compression Devices.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements for 97016**

  * Area of the body being treated, location of edema
  * Objective edema measurements (1+, 2+ pitting, girth, etc.), comparison with uninvolved side
  * Effects of edema on function
  * Type of device used

**CPT 97018 Paraffin Bath (to one or more areas)**

Once a trial of monitored paraffin treatment has been done in the clinic over
1-2 visits and the patient has had a favorable response, the patient can
usually be taught to use a paraffin unit in 1-2 visits. Consequently, it is
inappropriate for a patient to continue paraffin treatment in the clinic
setting.

Only 1 unit of CPT code 97018 is generally covered per date of service.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements for 97018**

  * Documentation needs to support more than 2 visits to educate patient and/or caregiver in home use once effectiveness has been determined.
  * Rationale for requiring the unique skills of a therapist to apply and train the patient/caregiver, including the complicating factors
  * Area of body treated

**CPT 97022 - Whirlpool (to one or more areas)**

If greater than 8 visits are needed for whirlpools that require the skills of
a therapist, the documentation should support the medical necessity of the
continued treatment.

Whirlpool should not be separately billed when provided on the same date of
service as debridement (97597-97598) for the same body part.

Fluidotherapy is a superficial dry heat modality consisting of a whirlpool of
finely divided solid particles suspended in a heated air stream, the mixture
having the properties of a liquid. _Use of fluidized therapy dry heat is
covered as an acceptable alternative to other heat therapy modalities in the
treatment of acute or sub-acute traumatic or non-traumatic musculoskeletal
disorders of the extremities._ (CMS Publication 100-03, _Medicare National
Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual,_ Chapter 1, Section 150.8)

**Supportive Documentation Requirements for 97022**

  * Rationale for requiring the unique skills of a therapist to apply, including the complicating factors
  * Area(s) being treated

Only 1 unit of CPT code 97022 should be billed per date of service.

**CPT 97024 - Diathermy (i.e., microwave) **

Only 1 unit of CPT code 97024 is covered per date of service.

(CMS Publication 100-03, _Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD)
Manual_ , Section 150.5) If no objective and/or subjective improvement is
noted after 6 treatments, a change in treatment plan (alternative strategies)
should be implemented, or documentation should include the therapist's
rationale for continued diathermy. Documentation must clearly support the need
for diathermy more than 12 visits.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97024**

  * Area(s) being treated
  * Objective clinical findings/measurements to support the need for a deep heat treatment
  * Subjective findings to include pain ratings, pain location, activities which increase or decrease pain, effect on function, etc.

**CPT 97026 - Infrared (to one or more areas) -**including Anodyne

Not covered: _The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has determined that
there is sufficient evidence to conclude the use of infrared therapy devices
and any related accessories is not reasonable and necessary. The use of
infrared and/or near-infrared light and/or heat, including monochromatic
infrared energy, is non-covered for the treatment, including the symptoms such
as pain arising from these conditions, of diabetic and/or non-diabetic
peripheral sensory neuropathy, wounds and/or ulcers of the skin and/or
subcutaneous tissues. See _CMS Publication 100-03 _Medicare National Coverage
Determinations NCD) Manual, section 270.6 and Publication 100-04, Medicare
Claims Processing Manual,_ Chapter 5, section 20.4 _._  

**CPT 97028 - Ultraviolet (to one or more areas)**

Only 1 unit of CPT code 97028 should be billed per date of service.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97028**

  * Area(s) being treated
  * Objective clinical findings/measurements to support the need for ultraviolet
  * Minimal erythema dosage

Only 1 unit of CPT code 97028 should be billed per date of service.

**CPT 97032 - electrical stimulation (manual) (to one or more areas), each 15
minutes**

  * See codes G0281-G0283 for instructions regarding supervised electrical stimulation.

97032 is a constant attendance electrical stimulation modality that requires
direct (one-on-one) manual patient contact by the qualified
professional/auxiliary personnel. Because the use of a constant, direct
contact electrical stimulation modality is less frequent, documentation should
clearly describe the type of electrical stimulation provided, as well as the
medical necessity of the constant contact to justify billing 97032 versus
G0283. Devices delivering high voltage stimulation may require one-on-one
patient contact (e.g., MicroVas, when applied in a high voltage mode).

Types of electrical stimulation that may require constant attendance and
should be billed as 97032 when continuous presence by the qualified
professional/auxiliary personnel is required include the following examples.

  * Direct motor point stimulation delivered via a probe
  * Instructing a patient in the use of a home TENS unit
    * Once a trial of TENS has been done in the clinic over 1-2 visits and the patient has had a favorable response, the patient can usually be taught to use a TENS unit for pain control in 1-2 visits. Consequently, it is inappropriate for a patient to continue treatment for pain with a TENS unit in the clinic setting
    * Note that CPT code 64550 is for application of surface (transcutaneous) neurostimulator and is an operative/postoperative code. Use of this code would seldom fall under a therapy plan of treatment.
    * Use for Walking in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) The type of NMES that is used to enhance the ability to walk of SCI patients is commonly referred to as functional electrical stimulation (FES). See the section on CPT code 97116 for information on coverage for this use of NMES. (CMS Publication 100-03, _Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual_ , section 160.12)

Most non-wound care electrical stimulation treatment provided in therapy
should be billed as G0283 as it is often provided in a supervised manner
(after skilled application by the qualified professional/auxiliary personnel)
without constant, direct contact required throughout the treatment.

Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) or Neuromuscular Electrical
Stimulation (NMES) while performing a therapeutic exercise or functional
activity may be billed as 97032. Do not bill for CPT codes 97110, 97112, 97116
or 97530 for the same time period.

Ultrasound with electrical stimulation provided concurrently (e.g.,
Medcosound, Rich-Mar devices), should be billed as ultrasound (97035). Do not
bill for both ultrasound and electrical stimulation for the same time period.

If providing an electrical stimulation modality that is typically considered
supervised (G0283) to a patient requiring constant attendance for safety
reasons due to cognitive deficits, do not bill as 97032. This type of
monitoring may be done by non-skilled personnel.

**Non-Implantable Pelvic Floor Electrical Stimulation (CMS Publication 100-03,
_Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual,_ section 230.8.)**
_Non-implantable pelvic floor electrical stimulators provide neuromuscular
electrical stimulation through the pelvic floor with the intent of
strengthening and exercising pelvic floor musculature_

_The methods of pelvic floor electrical stimulation vary in location, stimulus
frequency (Hz), stimulus intensity or amplitude (mA), pulse duration (duty
cycle), treatments per day, number of treatment days per week, length of time
for each treatment session, overall time period for device use, and between
clinic and home settings. In general, the stimulus frequency and other
parameters are chosen based on the patient's clinical diagnosis._

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 an ordered plan
of pelvic muscle exercises designed to increase periurethral muscle strength.

The patient's medical record must indicate that the patient receiving a non-
implantable pelvic floor electrical stimulator was cognitively intact,
motivated, and had failed a documented trial of pelvic muscle exercise (PME)
training.

Stimulation delivered by vaginal or anal probes connected to an external pulse
generator may be billed as 97032. Stimulation delivered via electrodes should
be billed as G0283.

Documentation must clearly support the medical necessity of electrical
stimulation more than 12 visits as adjunctive therapy or for muscle
retraining.  

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97032**

  * Type of electrical stimulation used (do not limit the description to "manual" or "attended")
  * Area(s) being treated
  * If used for muscle weakness, objective rating of strength and functional deficits
  * If used for pain include pain rating, location of pain, effect of pain on function

**CPT 97033 - 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.

Iontophoresis will be allowed for treatment of intractable, disabling primary
focal hyperhidrosis (ICD-10-CM codes L74.510-L74.513 or L74.519) 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.

**CPT 97034 - 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.

CPT Code 97034 is not covered when the services provided are hot and cold
packs. This modality should be used in conjunction with therapeutic
procedures, not as an isolated treatment.

This is a constant attendance code requiring direct, one-on-one patient
contact by the provider. Only the actual time of the provider's direct contact
with the patient is to be billed.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97034**

  * Rationale requiring the unique skills of a therapist to apply, including the complicating factors
  * Area(s) being treated
  * Subjective findings to include pain ratings, pain location, effect on function

Documentation must indicate the presence of these complicating factors for
reimbursement of this code. If there are no complicating factors requiring the
skills of a therapist, this modality is non-covered.

**CPT 97035 - Ultrasound (to one or more areas)**

See list of "ICD-10 Codes that DO NOT Support Medical Necessity"

Phonophoresis (the use of ultrasound to enhance the delivery of topically
applied drugs) will be reimbursed as ultrasound, billable using CPT 97035.
Separate payment will not be made for the contact medium or drugs.

Ultrasound with electrical stimulation provided concurrently (e.g.,
Medcosound, Rich-Mar devices), should be billed as ultrasound (97035). Do not
bill for both ultrasound and electrical stimulation for the same time period.  
 ** **  
 **Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97035**

  * Area(s) being treated
  * Frequency and intensity of ultrasound
  * Objective clinical findings such as measurements of range of motion and functional limitations to support the need for ultrasound
  * Subjective findings to include pain ratings, pain location, effect on function

If no objective and/or subjective improvement is noted after 6 treatments, a
change in treatment plan (alternative strategies) should be implemented or
documentation should support the need for continued use of ultrasound.
Documentation must clearly support the need for ultrasound more than 12
visits.

**C **PT 97036 - 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.

Hubbard tank treatments more than 12 visits require clear documentation
supporting the medical necessity of continued use of this modality.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements for 97036**

  * Rationale requiring the unique skills of a therapist to apply, including the complicating factors
  * Area(s) being treated

**CPT 97039 - Unlisted Modality** (Specify type and time if constant
attendance) If an existing CPT code does not describe the service performed,
an unlisted CPT code may be used. The use of unlisted codes should be rare. If
unlisted codes are billed, the claim and medical record must clearly state
what modality or procedure is billed as an unlisted code. If not, the unlisted
code billed will be subject to denial for insufficient information.

Note: Low level/cold laser light therapy (LLLT) is considered not reasonable
and necessary under SSA 1862(a)(1)(A) and is not payable by Medicare. This
procedure is considered non-covered billed under any HCPCS/CPT codes,
including S8948 and 97039. Effective 7/1/2019, this service is reported with
CPT code 0552T. Effective 1/1/2024, CPT 97037 (application of a modality to 1
or more areas; low-level laser therapy (ie, nonthermal and non-ablative) for
post operative pain reduction.) has been added and is also non-covered by
Medicare.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements for 97039** Please see section
Documentation Requirements for Unlisted Procedure Codes.

**CPT G0283 - Electrical stimulation (unattended), to one or more areas for
indication(s) other than wound care, as part of a therapy plan of care**

See 97032 for instructions in manual electrical stimulation.

Most non-wound care electrical stimulation treatment provided in therapy
should be billed as G0283 as it is often provided in a supervised manner
(after skilled application by the qualified professional/auxiliary personnel)
without constant, direct contact required throughout the treatment.

Code G0283 is classified as a "supervised" modality, even though it is labeled
as "unattended." A supervised modality does not require direct (one-on-one)
patient contact by the provider. Most electrical stimulation conducted via the
application of electrodes is considered unattended electrical stimulation.
Examples of unattended electrical stimulation modalities include
Interferential Current (IFC), Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
(TENS), cyclical muscle stimulation (Russian stimulation).

If unattended electrical stimulation is used for control of pain and swelling,
there should be documented objective and/or subjective improvement in swelling
and/or pain within 6 visits. If no improvement is noted, a change in treatment
plan (alternative strategies) should be implemented or documentation should
support the need for continued use of this modality.

Documentation must clearly support the need for electrical stimulation more
than 12 visits. Some patients can be trained in the use of a home TENS unit
for pain control. Only 1-2 visits should be necessary to complete the training
(which may be billed as 97032). Once training is completed, code G0283 should
not be billed as a treatment modality in the clinic.

Non-Implantable Pelvic Floor Electrical Stimulation (CMS Publication 100-03,
_Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual, section 230.8.) Non-
implantable pelvic floor electrical stimulators provide neuromuscular
electrical stimulation through the pelvic floor with the intent of
strengthening and exercising pelvic floor musculature_. Stimulation delivered
by vaginal or anal probes connected to an external pulse generator may be
billed as 97032. Stimulation delivered via electrodes should be billed as
G0283.

_The methods of pelvic floor electrical stimulation vary in location, stimulus
frequency (Hz), stimulus intensity or amplitude (mA), pulse duration (duty
cycle), treatments per day, number of treatments days per week, length of time
for each treatment session, overall time period for device use, and between
clinic and home settings. In general, the stimulus frequency and other
parameters are chosen based on the patient's clinical diagnosis._

The patient's medical record must indicate that the patient receiving a non-
implantable pelvic floor electrical stimulator was cognitively intact,
motivated, and had failed a documented trial of pelvic muscle exercise (PME)
training. Documentation should also include the method of delivery (e.g.,
probe or electrode).

The charges for the electrodes are included in the practice expense portion of
code G0283. Do not bill the Medicare contractor or the patient for electrodes
used to provide electrical stimulation as a clinic modality. Do not bill
Medicare for unattended electrical stimulation using code 97014.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for G0283**

  * Type of electrical stimulation used (e.g., TENS, IFC)
  * Area(s) being treated
  * _If used for pain include pain rating, location of pain, effect of pain on function_

**THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES**

**General Guidelines for Therapeutic Procedures (CPT codes 97110, 97112,
97113, 97116, 97124, 97129, 97130, 97139, 97140, 97150, 97530,  97533, 97535,
97537, 97542, 97602, 97605, 97606, 97607, 97608, 97750, 97755, 97760, 97761,
97763 and 97799)**

Under Medicare, time spent in documentation of services (medical record
production) is part of the coverage of the respective CPT code; there is no
separate coverage for time spent on documentation (except for CPT Code 96125).

CPT codes 97110, 97112, 97113, 97116, 97124, 97129, 97130, 97140, 97530,
97533, 97535, 97537, 97542, 97760, 97761, and 97763 describe different types
of therapeutic interventions. The expected goals documented in the treatment
plan, effected by the use of each of these procedures, will help define
whether these procedures are reasonable and necessary. Therefore, since any
one or a combination of these procedures may be used in a treatment plan,
documentation must support the use of each procedure as it relates to a
specific therapeutic goal.

**CPT 97110 - Therapeutic Exercises to develop strength and endurance, range
of motion and flexibility (one or more areas, each 15 minutes)**

For many patients a passive-only exercise program should not be used more than
2-4 visits to develop and train the patient or caregiver in performing PROM.
Documentation would be necessary to support services beyond this level (such
as PROM where these is an unhealed, unstable fracture, or new rotator cuff
repair, requiring the skills of a therapist to ensure that the extremity is
maintained in proper position and alignment during the PROM).

Documentation should include not only measurable indicators such as functional
loss of joint motion or muscle strength, but also information on the impact of
these limitations on the patient's life and how improvement in one or more of
these measures leads to improved function.

Documentation of progress should show the condition is responsive to the
therapy chosen and that the response is (or is expected to be) clinically
meaningful. Metrics of progress that are functionally meaningful (or obviously
related to clinical functional improvement) should be documented wherever
possible. For example, long courses of therapy resulting in small changes in
range of motion might not represent meaningful clinical progress benefiting
the patient's function.

Documentation should describe new exercises added, or changes made to the
exercise program to help justify that the services are skilled. Documentation
must also show that exercises are being transitioned as clinically indicated
to an independent or caregiver-assisted exercise program ("home exercise
program" (HEP)). An HEP is an integral part of the therapy plan of care and
should be modified as the patient progresses during the course of treatment.
It is appropriate to transition portions of the treatment to an HEP as the
patient or caregiver master the techniques involved in the performance of the
exercise.

If an exercise is taught to a patient and performed for the purpose of
restoring functional strength, range of motion, endurance training, and
flexibility, CPT code (97110) is the appropriate code. For example, a gym ball
exercise used for the purpose of increasing the patient's strength should be
considered as therapeutic exercise when coding for billing. Also, the minutes
spent taping, such as McConnell taping, to facilitate a strengthening
intervention would be counted under 97110.

Documentation must clearly support the need for continued therapeutic exercise
greater than 12-18 visits.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97110**

  * Objective measurements of loss of strength and range of motion (with comparison to the uninvolved side) and effect on function
  * If used for pain include pain rating, location of pain, effect of pain on function
  * Specific exercises performed, purpose of exercises as related to function, instructions given, and/or assistance needed to perform exercises to demonstrate that the skills of a therapist were required
  * When skilled cardiopulmonary monitoring is required, include documentation of pulse oximetry, heart rate, blood pressure, perceived exertion, etc.

**CPT 97112 - 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).

If an exercise/activity is taught to the patient and performed for the purpose
of restoring functional balance, motor coordination, kinesthetic sense,
posture, or proprioception for sitting or standing activities, CPT (97112) is
the appropriate code. For example, a gym ball exercise used for the purpose of
improving balance should be considered as neuromuscular reeducation when
coding for billing. The minutes spent taping, such as McConnell taping or
kinesiotaping techniques, to enhance proprioception would be counted under CPT
code 97112.  

When therapy is instituted because there is a history of falls or a falls
screening has identified a significant fall risk, documentation should
indicate:

  * specific fall dates and/or hospitalization(s) and reason for the fall(s), if known;
  * most recent prior functional level of mobility, including assistive device, level of assist, frequency of falls or "near-falls";
  * cognitive status;
  * prior therapy intervention;
  * functional loss due to the recent change in condition;
  * balance assessments (preferably standardized), lower extremity ROM and muscle strength testing;
  * patient and caregiver training;
  * carry-over of therapy techniques to objectively document progress. 

Documentation must clearly support the need for continued neuromuscular
reeducation greater than 12-18 visits.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97112**

Objective loss of activities of daily living (ADLs), mobility, balance,
coordination deficits, hypo- and hypertonicity, posture and effect on
function. ADL means basic personal everyday activities including, but not
limited to, tasks such as eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, and
transferring.

Specific exercises/activities performed (including progression of the
activity), purpose of the exercises as related to function, instruction given,
and/or assistance needed, to support that the skills of a therapist were
required.

**CPT 97113 - 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.

See CPT 97150 Group Therapy for guidelines when treating more than one patient
at the same time in the aquatic environment.

This code should not be used in situations where no exercise is being
performed in the water environment (e.g., debridement of ulcers).

Documentation must clearly support the need for aquatic therapy greater than 8
visits.

The aquatic therapy treatment minutes counted toward the total timed code
treatment minutes should only include actual skilled exercise time that
required direct one-on-one patient contact by the qualified
professional/auxiliary personnel. Do not include minutes for the patient to
dress/undress, get into and out of the pool, etc.

Do not bill for the water modality used to provide the aquatic environment,
such as whirlpool (97022), in addition to 97113.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97113**

  * Justification for use of a water environment
  * Objective loss of ADLs, mobility, ROM, strength, balance, coordination, posture and effect on function
  * If used for pain include pain rating, location of pain, effect of pain on function
  * Specific exercises/activities performed (including progression of the activity), purpose of exercises as related to function, instructions given, and/or assistance needed to perform exercises to demonstrate that the skills and of a therapist were required.

**CPT 97116 - Gait Training (includes stair climbing) (one or more areas, each
15 minutes)**

Documentation must clearly support the need for continued gait training beyond
12-18 visits within a 4-6 week period.

Neuromuscular Electrostimulation - Use for Walking in Patients with Spinal
Cord Injury (SCI) (CPT code 97116) _\- The type of NMES that is used to
enhance the ability to walk of SCI patients is commonly referred to as
functional electrical stimulation (FES). These devices are surface units that
use electrical impulses to activate paralyzed or weak muscles in precise
sequence. Coverage for the use of NMES/FES is limited to SCI patients, for
walking, who have completed a training program, which consists of at least 32
physical therapy sessions with the device over a period of 3 months. The trial
period of physical therapy will enable the physician treating the patient for
his or her spinal cord injury to properly evaluate the person's ability to use
these devices frequently and for the long term. Physical therapy necessary to
perform this training must be directly performed by the physical therapist as
part of a one-on-one training program. The goal of physical therapy must be to
train SCI patients on the use of NMES/FES devices to achieve walking, not to
reverse or retard muscle atrophy._

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

ICD-10-CM diagnosis code G82.20 must be present for payment to be made.
However, while paraplegia of lower limbs is a necessary condition for
coverage, the nine criteria above are also required. 97116 is the only code to
be billed. It must be used for one-on-one face-to-face service provided by the
physician or therapist.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97116**

  * Objective measurements of balance and gait distance, assistive device used, amount of assistance required, gait deviations and limitations being addressed, use of orthotic or prosthesis, need for and description of verbal cueing
  * Presence of complicating factors (pain, balance deficits, gait deficits, stairs, architectural or safety concerns)
  * Specific gait training techniques used, instructions given, and/or assistance needed, and the patient's response to the intervention, to demonstrate that the skills of a therapist were required

**CPT 97124 - Massage, including effleurage, petrissage and/or tapotement
(stroking, compression, percussion) (one or more areas, each 15 minutes)**

Documentation must clearly support the need for continued massage beyond 6-8
visits, including instruction, as appropriate, to the patient and caregiver
for continued treatment.

This code is not covered on the same visit date as CPT code 97140 (manual
therapy techniques).

Massage chairs, aquamassage tables and roller beds are not considered massage.
These services are non-covered.

Do not bill 97124 for percussion for postural drainage.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97124**

  * Area(s) being treated
  * Objective clinical findings such as measurements of range of motion, description of muscle spasms and effect on function
  * Subjective findings including pain ratings, pain location, effect on function

**CPT 97139 - Unlisted Therapeutic Procedure** (specify) If an existing CPT
code does not describe the service performed, an unlisted CPT code may be
used. The use of unlisted codes should be rare. If unlisted codes are billed,
the claim and medical record must clearly state what modality or procedure is
billed as an unlisted code. If not, the unlisted code billed will be subject
to denial for insufficient information.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements** for 97139 Please see section
Documentation Requirements for Unlisted Procedure Codes.

**CPT 97140 - Manual Therapy Techniques (e.g.,mobilization/manipulation,
manual lymphatic drainage, manual traction), one or more regions, each 15
minutes**

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.

The therapeutic exercise component for MLD / CDT is covered under CPT code
97110.

Documentation must clearly support the need for continued manual therapy
treatment beyond 12-18 visits. When the patient and/or caregiver has been
instructed in the performance of specific techniques, the performance of these
same techniques should not be continued in the clinic setting and counted as
minutes of skilled therapy.

CPT code 97124 (massage) is not covered on the same visit as this code.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97140**

  * Area(s) being treated
  * Soft tissue or joint mobilization technique used
  * Objective and subjective measurements of areas treated (may include ROM, capsular end-feel, pain descriptions and ratings,) and effect on function
  * For MLD/CDP, supportive documentation should include:
  * medical history related to onset, exacerbation and etiology of the lymphedema
  * comorbidities
  * prior treatment
  * cognitive and physical ability of patient and/or caregiver to follow self-management techniques;
  * pain/discomfort descriptions and ratings;
  * limitation of function related to self-care, mobility, ADLs and/or safety;
  * prior level of function;
  * limb measurements of affected and unaffected limbs at start of care and periodically throughout treatment;
  * description of skin condition, wounds, infected sites, scars.

**CPT 97150 - 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.

Report 97150 for each member of the group.

_Group therapy consists of therapy treatment provided simultaneously to two or
more patients who may or may not be doing the same activities. If the
therapist is dividing attention among the patients, providing only brief,
intermittent personal contact, or giving the same instructions to two or more
patients at the same time_ , one unit of CPT code 97150 is appropriate per
patient.

_Examples:_

_In a 25-minute period, a therapist works with two patients, A and B, and
divides his/her time between the two patients. The therapist moves back and
forth between the two patients, spending a minute or two at a time, and
provides occasional assistance and modifications to patient A 's exercise
program and offers verbal cues for patient B's gait training and balance
activities on the parallel bars. The therapist does not track continuous
identifiable episodes of direct one-on-one contact with either patient. The
appropriate coverage is one (1) unit of CPT code 97150 for each patient._

_In a 45-minute period, a therapist works with 3 patients - A, B, and C -
providing therapeutic exercises to each patient with direct one-on-one contact
in the following sequence: Patient A receives 8 minutes, patient B receives 8
minutes and patient C received 8 minutes. After this initial 24-minute period,
the therapist returns to work with patient A for 10 more minutes (18 minutes
total), then patient B for 5 more minutes (13 minutes total), and finally
patient C for 6 additional minutes (14 minutes total). During the times the
patients are not receiving direct one-on-one contact with the therapist, they
are each exercising independently. The therapist appropriately bills each
patient one 15 minute unit of therapeutic exercise (CPT code 97110)._

If group therapy is billed on a given day, it must be listed in the Treatment
Note. The minutes of this untimed code must be added to the Total Treatment
Time for that day. Further documentation describing the skilled nature of the
group session documented in the progress report or the treatment note may
assist in supporting the medical necessity of the service.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements for 97150**

  * The purpose of the group and the number of participants in the group
  * Description of the skilled activity provided in the group setting, such as instruction in proper form, or upgrading the difficulty of the activity for an individual.

**CPT 97530 - Therapeutic Activities, direct (one-on-one) patient contact (use
of dynamic activities to improve functional performance), each 15 minutes**  

Documentation must clearly support the need for continued therapeutic activity
treatment beyond 10-12 visits.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97530**

  * Objective measurements of loss of ADLs, balance, strength, coordination, range of motion, mobility and effect on function
  * Specific activities performed, and amount and type of assistance to demonstrate that the skills and expertise of the therapist were required

**CPT 97129 (code effective 01/01/2020) - Therapeutic interventions that focus
on cognitive function (eg, attention, memory, reasoning, executive function,
problem solving, and/or pragmatic functioning) and compensatory strategies to
manage the performance of an activity (eg, managing time or schedules,
initiating, organizing, and sequencing tasks), direct (on-on-one) patient
contact; initial 15 minutes **

**CPT 97130 (code effective 01/01/2020) ;each additional 15 minutes (list
separately in addition to code for primary procedure)**

This activity is designed to improve attention, memory, and problem-solving,
including the use of compensatory techniques.

Cognitive skills are an important component of many tasks, and the techniques
used to improve cognitive functioning are integral to the broader impairment
being addressed. Cognitive therapy techniques are most often covered as
components of other therapeutic procedures, and, typically are better reported
using other codes (such as 97535).  
  
Activities billed as cognitive skills development include only those that
require the skills of a therapist and must be provided with direct (one-on-
one) contact between the patient and the qualified professional/auxiliary
personnel. These services are also reimbursable when billed by clinical
psychologists.

Claims for cognitive skills development should include diagnoses that reflect
the underlying condition requiring therapy, as well as the symptoms or
manifestations of the condition.

Note: the restrictions placed upon this code do not apply to vision impairment
rehabilitation services as defined in PM AB-02-078.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97129, 97130**

  * Objective assessment of the patient's cognitive impairment and functional abilities
  * Prognosis for recovery of the specific impaired cognitive abilities (remediation)
  * A determination of a range of compensatory strategies that the individual can realistically utilize to improve daily functioning in a meaningful way
  * Specific cognitive activities performed, amount of assistance, and the patient's response to the intervention, to demonstrate that the skills and expertise of the therapist were required

This service is payable to speech-language pathologists under certain
conditions. More information on this coverage can be found in the Speech-
Language Pathology LCD (L33580).

**CPT 97533 - Sensory integration**

Utilization of this service should be infrequent for Medicare patients.

This service is payable to speech-language pathologists under certain
conditions. More information on this coverage can be found in the Speech-
Language Pathology LCD (L33580).

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97533**

  * Objective assessments of the patient's sensory integration impairments and functional limitations
  * Describe the treatment techniques used that will improve sensory processing and promote adaptive responses to environmental demands, and the patient's response to the intervention, to support that the skills of a therapist were required

**CPT 97535 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**

_IADL means activities related to living independently in the community,
including but not limited to, meal planning and preparation, managing
finances, shopping for food, clothing, and other essential items, performing
essential household chores, communicating by phone or other media, and
traveling around and participating in the community._

For example, as part of the initial occupational therapy program following a
total hip arthroplasty (THA), a patient may need to learn adaptive lower
extremity dressing techniques due to pain, limited ROM and hip precautions.
The occupational therapist will need to evaluate the patient to determine the
appropriate technique to be taught based on the patient's unique assessment
and will instruct the patient and/or caregiver in the special technique. Once
the special dressing technique has been taught and monitored for safe
completion, repetitious carrying out or practicing of the dressing technique
would be considered non-skilled and would not be covered. Non-skilled
interventions need not be recorded in the Treatment Notes as they are not
billable. However, notation of non-skilled activities may be reported if the
documentation indicates that the service was not billed (e.g., not included in
the treatment minutes documented).

As the patient progresses through an episode of care involving self care/home
management training, documentation needs to clearly support that the skills of
a therapist continue to be necessary. Documentation that demonstrates
progression in the technique to more complex or less patient dependence will
assist in demonstrating that the technique remains skilled. It is important
that documentation demonstrates that the skills of a therapist are needed and
that the patient is not merely practicing techniques that have already been
taught.  
  
This code should be used for activities of daily living (ADL) and compensatory
training for ADL, safety procedures, and instructions in the use of adaptive
equipment and assistive technology for use in the home environment. See more
specific codes for exercise training, orthotics, gait devices, etc.

This code should not be used globally for all home instructions. When
instructing the patient in a self management program, use the code that best
describes the focus of the self management activity. For example, if the
instruction given is for exercises to be done at home to improve ROM or
strength use 97110; if instructing the patient in balance or coordination
activities at home, use 97112; if instructing the patient on using a sock aide
for dressing, use 97535; if teaching the patient aquatic exercises to use as a
independent program in the community pool, use 97113.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97535**

  * Objective measurements of the patient's activity of daily living (ADL)/instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) impairment to be addressed
  * The specific ADL and/or compensatory training provided, specific safety procedures addressed, specific adaptive equipment/assistive technology utilized, instruction given and assist required (verbal or physical), and the patient's response to the intervention, to support that the services provided required the skills and expertise of a therapist

**CPT 97537 - 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 code should be utilized when a patient is trained in the use of assistive
technology to assist with mobility, seating systems and environmental control
systems for use in the community.

For wheelchair management/propulsion training use 97542.

Coverage greater than 4-6 visits for community training should be justified by
documentation to show the medical necessity of the length of treatment.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97537**

  * Objective measurements of the patient's community IADL impairment to be addressed
  * Specific training provided, amount of assist required (verbal or physical), and the patient's response to the intervention, to support that the services rendered required the skills of a therapist

**CPT 97542 - Wheelchair Management (e.g., assessment, fitting, training),
each 15 minutes**

This code 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.

Typically up to 3-4 dates of service should be sufficient to train the
patient/caregiver in wheelchair management. Coverage beyond this utilization
should have supportive documentation.  

CPT Changes 2006 - An Insider's View provides further clarification regarding
the assessment portion of this code. A wheelchair assessment may include but
is not limited to the patient's strength, endurance, living situation, ability
to transfer in and out of the chair, level of independence, weight, skin
integrity, muscle tone, and sitting balance. Following verification of the
patient's need, patient measurements are taken of the patient prior to
ordering the equipment to ensure accuracy of sizing wheelchair components.
This measurement may also involve testing the patient's abilities with various
chair functions including propulsion, transferring from the chair to other
surfaces (bed, toilet, car), and use of the chair's locking mechanism on
various types of equipment for optimal determination of the appropriate
equipment by the patient and caregiver. For example, 97542 would be used when
assessing and fitting the patient with a wheelchair and custom seating system
to provide stabilization, support, balance, and pressure management. To
achieve functional goals related to independent wheelchair management, 97542
would also be used when training the patient in the safe operation and
management of the wheelchair in the home and community environment. (This
example is based upon the Clinical Example for 97542 in the CPT Changes 2006 -
an Insider's View.)

There may be circumstances where a patient may be seen one time for a
wheelchair assessment. If it is not necessary to complete a full patient
evaluation, but only an assessment related to specific wheelchair needs, this
one-time only session may be billed under 97542 with the appropriate units
reflecting the time spent in the assessment.  

For many patient situations however, a full patient evaluation is needed to
develop the appropriate treatment plan in addition to wheelchair fitting and
training. In these situations, it may be appropriate to bill the initial
evaluation code (97161-97163 or 97165-97167), with the minutes spent for the
evaluation/assessment assigned to either 97161-97163 or 97165-97167. On the
day that the evaluation code is billed, the minutes assigned to 97542 should
only be related to any wheelchair fitting and training provided, as 97542 is a
timed code. For example, if a physical therapist spends 35 minutes gathering
the patient history, prior functional status, current functional status,
social considerations, range of motion, strength, sensation, balance, and
transfers, this time would be assigned to the PT initial evaluation code
97162. As the session continues, the PT spends 45 minutes assessing the
patient in a variety of wheelchair set ups, trying a variety of adaptations to
best meet the patient's comfort and functional needs, and initiates training
with the patient and family, this 45 minutes would be assigned to code 97542.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (at least every 4 visits) for 97542**

  * Documentation for a skilled wheelchair assessment should include the following:
  * the recent event that prompted the need for a skilled wheelchair assessment;
  * any previous wheelchair assessments have been completed, such as during a Part A SNF stay;
  * most recent prior functional level;
  * if applicable, any previous interventions that have been tried by nursing staff, caregivers or the patient that may have failed, prompting the initiation of skilled therapy intervention;
  * functional deficits due to poor seating or positioning;
  * objective assessments of applicable impairments such as range of motion (ROM), strength, sitting balance, skin integrity, sensation and tone;
  * the response of the patient or caregiver to the fitting and training.

When billing CPT code 97542 for wheelchair management/training, documentation
must relate the training to expected functional goals that are attainable by
the patient and /or caregiver.

Describe the interventions to show that the skills of a therapist were
required. For example, describe the various wheelchair adaptations trialed and
the patient's response to the intervention. If training is provided, describe
the type of training, the amount of assistance required and the patient
response to the training.

**CPT 97545 - Work hardening/conditioning; initial 2 hours; and CPT 97546 -
each additional hour** 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.

**CPT codes 97597 and 97598** : coverage criteria have been moved to the LCD
for Debridement Services (L33614), effective 04/01/2016.  


**C **PT 97602  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  
  
****Do not report 97602 in conjunction with 11042-11047

Medicare coverage for wound care on a continuing basis for a particular wound
requires documentation in the patient's record that the wound is improving in
response to the wound care being provided. It is not medically reasonable or
necessary to continue a given type of wound care if evidence of wound
improvement cannot be shown. Evidence of improvement includes measurable
changes (decreases) in at least some of the following:

  * drainage;
  * inflammation;
  * swelling;
  * pain;
  * wound dimensions (diameter, depth);
  * necrotic tissue/slough.

Such evidence must be documented periodically (e.g. weekly.) A wound that
shows no improvement after 30 days requires a new approach, which may include
a physician/NPP reassessment of underlying infection, metabolic, nutritional,
or vascular problems inhibiting wound healing, or a new treatment approach.

In rare instances, the goal of wound care provided in outpatient settings may
be only to prevent progression of the wound, which, due to severe underlying
debility or other factors such as inoperability, is not expected to improve.
If this is the case, documentation should clearly indicate this rationale for
continued skilled wound care.

Examples of Non-Selective Debridement (without anesthesia) (CPT 97602) include
the following items.

  * Blunt debridement
    * Blunt debridement involves the removal of necrotic tissue by cleansing or scraping (abrasion). It may also involve the cleaning and dressing of small or superficial lesions.
  * Enzymatic debridement
    * Debridement with topical proteolytic enzymes is used as an adjunctive therapy in treating chronic wounds. The manufacturers' product insert contains indications, contraindications, precautions, dosage and administration guidelines; it is the clinician's responsibility to comply with those guidelines.
  * Wet-to-moist dressings
    * Wet-to-moist dressings may be used with wounds that have a high percentage of necrotic tissue. Wet-to-moist dressings should be used cautiously as maceration of surrounding tissue may hinder healing.
  * Autolytic and chemical debridement

Documentation for each treatment must include a detailed description of the
procedure and the method (e.g., scalpel, scissors, 4x4 gauze, wet-to-dry,
enzyme) used when billing 97602. Because the correct debridement code is
dependent on type of debridement and wound size, documentation should include
frequent wound measurements. The documentation should also include a
description of the appearance of the wound (especially size, but also depth,
stage, bed characteristics), as well as the type of tissue or material
removed. The documentation must meet the criteria of the code billed.  

Additional guidance for debridement codes:

  * Do not bill for more than one unit per session for CPT code 97602, regardless of the number or complexity of the wounds treated.
  * Use the -59 modifier to indicate nonselective and selective debridement provided in a single encounter at different anatomical sites.
  * Application and removal of dressings to the wound is included in the work and practice expenses of 97602 and should not be billed separately under a therapy plan of care. Charges for dressings, gauze, tape, sterile water for irrigation, tweezers, scissors, q-tips, and medications used in the wound care treatment will be denied even if the wound care service is found to be medically reasonable and necessary. Payment for dressings applied to the wound is included in HCPCS code 97602 and they are not to be billed separately.
  * If a simple dressing change is performed without any active wound procedure as described by these codes, do not bill code 97602 to describe the service.
  * For wound assessment it is not appropriate to bill therapy re-evaluation codes (97164, 97168) along with code 97602. The assessment, including measurements of the wound and a written report, is considered a part of code 97602.
  * Patient and caregiver instructions are included in code 97602. Do not bill separately under any other code for instructing the patient/caregiver in care of the wound.
  * This code represents "sometimes therapy" services and will be paid under the OPPS when (a) the service is not performed by a therapist, and (b) it is inappropriate to bill the service under a therapy plan of care. Nurses performing debridement (where allowed by state scope of practice acts) described by code 97602 may bill this code using revenue codes other than the therapy revenue codes 42x (PT) and 43x (OT).
  * Payment for 97602, when performed by a qualified professional/auxiliary personnel under a therapy plan of care, is recognized as a bundled service under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Regardless of whether billed alone or in conjunction with another therapy code, separate payment is never made for 97602.
  * Evaluation and management services should not be billed along with the debridement service unless a significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service, correctly identified with modifier -25 on the claim, was also provided to the patient during the same encounter. (Therapists should not use the evaluation and management codes at any time.)

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97602**

  * Etiology and duration of wound
  * Prior treatment by a physician, non-physician practitioner, nurse and/or therapist
  * Stage of wound
  * Description of wound: length, width, depth, grid drawing and/or photographs
  * Amount, frequency, color, odor, type of exudate
  * Evidence of infection, undermining, or tunneling
  * Nutritional status
  * Comorbidities (e.g., diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease)
  * Pressure support surfaces in use
  * Patient's functional level
  * Skilled plan of treatment, including specific frequency, modalities and procedures
  * Type of debridement performed, including instrument used, to support the debridement code billed
  * Changing plan of treatment based on clinical judgment of the patient's response or lack of response to treatment

Frequent skilled observation and assessment of wound healing are recommended
daily or weekly to justify the skilled service. At a minimum, the Progress
Report must document the continuing skilled assessment of wound healing as it
has progressed since the evaluation or last Progress Report.

**CPT 97605, 97606, 97607, 97608  - 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; total wound(s) surface area less than or equal to
50 square centimeters. **

**CPT 97606 - surface area greater than 50 square centimeters**

**CPT 97607- 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; total
wound(s) surface area less than or equal to 50 square centimeters.**

**CPT 97608- Total wound(s) surface area greater than 50 square centimeters.**  


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. CPT Codes 97607 and
97608 are reported when a mechanically-powered device is used.

Additional guidance for NPWT codes:

  * These codes are not timed.
  * Do not bill for more than one unit per session, regardless of the number or complexity of the wounds treated.
  * Patient and caregiver instructions are included in codes 97605/97606 and 97607 and 97608. Do not bill separately under any other code for instructing the patient/caregiver in care of the wound.
  * It is not appropriate to bill therapy re-evaluation codes (97164, 97168) along with 97605/97606 or 97607 and 97608. The assessment, including measurements of the wound and a written report, is considered a part of 97605/97606 or 97607 and 97608.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97605, 97606, 97607 and 97608**

  * Etiology and duration of wound
  * Prior treatment by a physician, non-physician practitioner, nurse and/or therapist
  * Stage of wound
  * Description of wound: length, width, depth, grid drawing and/or photographs
  * Amount, frequency, color, odor, type of exudate
  * Evidence of infection, undermining, or tunneling
  * Nutritional status
  * Comorbidities (e.g., diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease)
  * Pressure support surfaces in use
  * Patient's functional level
  * Skilled plan of treatment, including specific frequency, modalities and procedures
  * Changing plan of treatment based on clinical judgment of the patient's response or lack of response to treatment

Frequent skilled observation and assessment of wound healing are recommended
daily or weekly to justify the skilled service. At a minimum, the Progress
Report must document the continuing skilled assessment of wound healing as it
has progressed since the evaluation or last Progress Report.

**CPT 97750 - Physical Performance Test or Measurement (e.g., musculoskeletal,
functional capacity) with written report, each 15 minutes**

These tests and measurements are beyond the usual evaluation services
performed. Examples of physical performance tests or measurements include
isokinetic testing, Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) and Tinetti. This
code may be used for the 6-minute walk test, with a computerized report of the
patient's oxygen saturation levels with increasing stress levels, performed
under a PT or OT plan of care on pulmonary rehabilitation patients.

The therapy evaluation and re-evaluation codes are for a comprehensive review
of the patient including, but not limited to, history, systems review, current
clinical findings, establishment of a therapy diagnosis, and estimation of the
prognosis and determination and/or revision of further treatment. CPT 97750 is
intended to focus on patient performance of a specific activity or group of
activities (CPT Assistant, December 2003).

There must be written evidence documenting the problem requiring the test, the
specific test performed, and a separate measurement report. This report may
include torque curves and other graphic reports with interpretation.

97750 should not be used to bill for patient assessments/re-assessments such
as ROM testing or manual muscle testing completed at the start of care (as
this is typically part of the examination included in the initial evaluation)
and/or as the patient progresses through the episode of treatment.

CPT code 97750 is not covered on the same day as CPT codes 97161-97168 (due to
CCI edits).

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 97750** **  
**

  * Problem requiring the test and the specific test performed
  * Separate measurement report, including any graphic reports
  * Application to functional activity
  * How the test impacts the plan of care

**CPT 97755 - 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**

This is an assessment code, per each 15 minutes, and must be accompanied by a
written report explaining the nature and complexity of the assistive
technology needed by the patient. This can include testing multiple
components/systems to determine optimal interface between client and
technology applications, and determining the appropriateness of commercial
(off the shelf) or customized components/systems. This assessment may require
more than one patient visit due to the complexity of the patient's condition
and his/her decreased tolerance for activity at one session.

Training for use in assistive technology in the home environment is coded as
97535 and for use in the community as 97537.

CPT code 97755 is not covered on the same day as CPT codes 97161-97168 (due to
CCI edits). Utilization of this service should be infrequent.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements for 97755**

  * The goal of the assessment
  * The technology/component/system involved
  * A description of the process involved in assessing the patient's response
  * The outcome of the assessment
  * Documentation of how this information affects the treatment plan

**CPT 97760 - 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**

Outpatient hospital therapy departments, comprehensive outpatient
rehabilitation facilities (CORFs), outpatient rehabilitation facilities,
nursing homes (limited to patients covered under a Medicare Part B stay), and
home health agencies (limited to patients not under a HH plan of care) bill
the Part A MAC for the orthotic utilizing the relevant HCPCS Level II L code
and revenue code 274 on the claim form. These settings do not require a DME
supplier billing enrollment to bill and be reimbursed for the L codes.

A physical or occupational therapist in private practice or a physician/NPP is
considered by Medicare to be a "supplier" and must bill the Durable Medical
Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC) for orthotics. Any
supplier that issues orthotics must be enrolled as a supplier of Durable
Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, or Supplies (DMEPOS) prior to
billing the DME MAC. Follow the directions from the DME MAC when billing for
orthotics (utilizing an L code). Note: Therapists in private practice and
physicians/NPPs should follow the guidance below for billing CPT 97760 to the
Medicare carrier/Part B MAC.

Ongoing visits by the qualified professional/auxiliary personnel to apply the
device would be considered monitoring. Once the initial fit is established,
any further visits should be used for specific documented problems and
modifications that require skilled therapy; these are billed with CPT 97763.
It is reasonable and necessary to require 1-3 visits to fit and educate the
patient or caregiver. The medical necessity of any further visits must be
supported by documentation in the medical record.

Coverage under CPT code 97760 is not for prefabricated/commercial (i.e., off
the shelf) components such as, but not limited to a lumbar roll, non-
customized foam supports/wedges (e.g., heel cushions), or multi-podus boots.
Such components do not require the skills of a therapist and are non-covered.
Minor modifications to prefabricated orthotics do not constitute a customized
orthotic.

Code 97760 should not be reported with 97116 for the same extremity.

_Payment for prosthetics and orthotics is made on the basis of a fee schedule
whether it is billed to the DME MAC or the Part A MAC._

The L codes for orthotics provide a brief description of the device and
describe whether the device needs to be molded to a patient model, custom
fabricated, custom fitted, or have no fitting specifications. Select the
appropriate L code based on the description of the brace provided.

The Medicare payment for the L codes includes the following items.

  * Assessment of the patient regarding the orthotic
  * Measurement and/or fitting
  * Supplies to fabricate or modify the orthotic
  * Time associated with making the orthotic

CPT 97760 should be used to report the initial encounter for orthotic
"training" completed by qualified professionals/auxiliary personnel. CPT 97760
may be used in conjunction with the L code only for the time spent training
the patient in the use of the orthotic. Orthotic training may include teaching
the patient regarding a wearing schedule, placing and removing the orthosis,
skin care and performing tasks while wearing the device.

To avoid duplicate billing, the time spent assessing, measuring and/or
fitting, fabricating or modifying, or making the orthotic may not be included
in calculating the number of units to bill for CPT 97760 when also billing the
appropriate L code. CPT 97760 is a "timed" code and only minutes actually
spent in the training of the patient should be counted when determining units
to bill when an L code is also billed.

There may be circumstances where a patient is only going to be seen for a
brief therapy episode for issuance of an orthotic. If it is not necessary to
complete a full, comprehensive patient evaluation, but only an assessment
related to determining the specific orthotic, do not bill an initial therapy
evaluation code in addition to the L code.

For other patient situations however, a full patient initial evaluation is
needed to develop the appropriate treatment plan in addition to an assessment
related to determining the specific orthotic. In these situations, it may be
appropriate to bill the initial evaluation code (97161-97163 or 97165-97167),
with the minutes spent for the evaluation assigned to either 97161-97163 or
97165-97167. For example, a patient is referred to occupational therapy for a
wrist-hand orthotic with possible continued therapy. The OT spends 35 minutes
evaluating the patient which includes the history, subjective complaints,
prior and current functional levels, ROM, strength, sensation, skin integrity,
and ADL assessment. This time would be assigned to the OT evaluation code
97165. The OT then begins the assessment of the patient for the orthotic which
includes determining the need for the orthotic and the type of orthotic,
subsequently fabricating the appropriate device and fitting it to the patient.
This time, which takes 45 minutes, would be reimbursed under the L code. The
OT spends an additional 20 minutes training the patient in the wearing
schedule of the orthotic, skin care and exercises to be performed while the
orthotic is in place. These 20 minutes would be assigned to code 97760,
billable as 1 unit for the training component.

Per CPT Assistant, 2017, Code 97760 includes orthotic management and training
provided at the initial encounter. Subsequent encounters, reported with code
97763 (effective 2018) include exercises performed in the orthotic,
instruction in skin care and orthotic wearing time, and time associated with
modification of the orthotic due to healing of tissues, change in edema, or
interruption in skin integrity.

For an orthotic to be billed, it must be medically necessary for the patient's
condition. To bill for training the patient to use the orthotic (CPT 97760)
the documentation must justify the need for a skilled qualified
professional/auxiliary personnel to train the patient in the use and care of
the orthotic. When the management of the orthotic can be turned over to the
patient, the caregiver or nursing staff, the services of the therapist will no
longer be covered.

An orthotic provided for positioning and/or increasing range of motion in a
non-functional extremity must include documentation that the unique skills of
a therapist are required to fit and manage the orthotic and that the orthotic
is medically necessary for the patient's condition.

It is not appropriate to bill CPT 97760 for measurements taken to obtain
custom fitted burn or pressure garments. These garments do not fit the
definition of an orthotic.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements for 97760**

  * A description of the patient's condition (including applicable impairments and functional limitations) that necessitates an orthotic
  * Any complicating factors
  * The specific orthotic provided and the date issued
  * A description of the skilled training provided
  * Response of the patient to the orthotic

**CPT 97761 - 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. Once a patient begins gait training
with the prosthesis, use code 97116.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements for 97761**

  * Type of prosthesis, extremity involved
  * Specific training provided and amount of assistance needed
  * Any complicating factors and specific description of these (with objective measurements), such as pain, joint restrictions/contractures, strength deficits, etc.

**CPT 97763 - Orthotic(s)/prosthetic(s) management and/or training, upper
extremity(ies), lower extremity(ies), and/or trunk, subsequent
orthotic(s)/prosthetic(s) encounter, each 15 minutes**

Per CPT Changes 2018, these assessments are intended for established patients
who have already received their orthotic or prosthetic device, to check for
skin integrity, wound changes, abnormalities of fit or a loss of function
directly related to the device (e.g., pain, skin breakdown, and falls of
devices or other problems related to the orthotic or prosthetic.

If the checkout assessment resulted in the need for further training in the
use of the orthotic/prosthetic, code 97763 would be appropriate for the
training.

Documentation must clearly support the need for more than 2 visits for the
checkout assessment.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements for 97763**

  * Reason for assessment
  * Findings from the assessment
  * Specific device, modifications made, instruction given

**CPT 97799 - Unlisted physical medicine/rehabilitation service or procedure,
not timed-** If an existing CPT code does not describe the service performed,
an unlisted CPT code may be used. The use of unlisted codes should be rare. If
unlisted codes are billed, the claim and medical record must clearly state
what modality or procedure is billed as an unlisted code. If not, the unlisted
code billed will be subject to denial for insufficient information.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements for 97799** Please see Documentation
Requirements for Unlisted Procedure codes. This is an untimed code, billable
as "1" unit.

**CPT G0281 - 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**

**CPT G0329 - 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**

Do not bill a re-evaluation code for the wound assessment). _If ES or
electromagnetic therapy is being used, wounds must be evaluated at least
monthly by the treating physician._  

Per NCD 270.1, electrical stimulation (G0281) and electromagnetic therapy
(G0329) are NOT COVERED for the treatment of:

  * stage I or stage II wounds;
  * electrical stimulation or electromagnetic therapy when used as an initial treatment modality;
  * continued treatment with ES or electromagnetic therapy if measurable signs of healing have not been demonstrated within any 30-day period of treatment;
  * wounds that demonstrate a 100% epithelialized wound bed;
  * a patient in the home setting, as unsupervised use by patients in the home has not been found to be medically reasonable and necessary.

G0281 code replaces code 97014, only where it applies to treatment of wounds,
as defined in the code narrative.

Nationally Covered Indications (CMS Publication 100-03, _Medicare National
Coverage Determinations_ (NCD) Manual, section 270.1): _Electrical stimulation
(ES) and electromagnetic therapy for the treatment of wounds are considered
adjunctive therapies, and will only be covered for chronic Stage III or Stage
IV pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and venous stasis
ulcers. Chronic ulcers are defined as ulcers that have not healed within 30
days of occurrence. ES or electromagnetic therapy will be covered only after
appropriate standard wound therapy has been provided for at least 30 days and
there are no measurable signs of healing. This 30-day period may begin while
the wound is acute. Standard wound care includes optimization of nutritional
status, debridement by any means to remove devitalized tissue, maintenance of
a clean, moist bed of granulation tissue with appropriate moist dressings, and
necessary treatment to resolve any infection that may be present. Standard
wound care based on the specific type of wound includes frequent repositioning
of a patient with pressure ulcers (usually every 2 hours), off-loading of
pressure and good glucose control for diabetic ulcers, establishment of
adequate circulation for arterial ulcers, and the use of a compression system
for patients with venous ulcers. Measurable signs of healing include a
decrease in wound size (either surface area or volume), decrease in amount of
exudates, and decrease in amount of necrotic tissue. ES or electromagnetic
therapy must be discontinued when the wound demonstrates a 100% epithelialized
wound bed._

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for G0281 and G0329**

  * Etiology and duration of wound
  * Type of prior treatments by a physician, non-physician practitioner, nurse and/or therapist that failed, including the duration of the failed treatment
  * Stage of wound
  * Description of wound: length, width, depth, grid drawing and/or photographs
  * Amount, frequency, color, odor, type of exudate
  * Evidence of infection, undermining, or tunneling
  * Nutritional status
  * Comorbidities (e.g., diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease)
  * Pressure support surfaces in use
  * Patient's functional level
  * Skilled plan of treatment, including specific frequency of the modality
  * Changing plan of treatment based on clinical judgment of the patient's response or lack of response to treatment
  * Frequent skilled observation and assessment of wound healing (at least weekly, but preferably with each treatment session)

**CPT G0282 - Electrical stimulation, (unattended), to one or more areas, for
wound care other than described in G0281**

This code is not covered by Medicare.

**Other Available Therapy Codes CPT Codes  95851, and 95852 - Muscle and Range
of Motion Testing**  

For the typical patient, the evaluation (97161-97163, 97165-97167) and
reevaluation codes (97164, 97168) include all the necessary evaluation tools,
including range of motion and manual muscle testing. Baseline measurements may
be done with an initial evaluation, but are not separately billable in
addition to the evaluation. In addition, assessments, which are separate from
evaluations and reevaluations, are included in the therapy treatment services
and procedures and should be coded consistent with the intervention for which
the assessment is necessary.

Every muscle or joint in the affected extremity or trunk section, as described
in the code descriptor, must be tested when coding these procedures. For
example:

CPT codes 95831-95834 are deleted for 2020. To report manual muscle testing,
please refer to evaluation codes 97161-97168.

Code 95851 is "Range of motion measurements and report; each extremity
(excluding hand) or trunk section (spine)". To use this code for extremity ROM
testing, every joint of an extremity would need to be tested, with
documentation of why such a thorough assessment was warranted. It would not be
appropriate to bill code 95851 if only shoulder ROM needed to be tested.

These codes are not covered on the same visit date as CPT codes 97161-97168
(due to CCI edits).

**Supportive Documentation Requirements** These codes are typically
consultative. It is expected that the administration of these tests will
generate material that will be formulated into a report. That report should
clearly indicate the purpose and rationale for the test, the test performed
with results and how the information affects the treatment plan.

**Application of Casts and Strapping Codes  (29065, 29075, 29085, 29086,
29345, 29355, 29365, 29405, 29425, and 29445, 29200-29280, 28520-29590,
29799)**

More than 8-10 visits for evaluation, treatment, modification and caregiver
education would not be considered reasonable and necessary without significant
documentation.

These are untimed codes.

**General Guidelines for Strapping (CPT codes 29200-29280, 28520-29590, 29799.
For dates of service prior to 2010, CPT code 29220 is used to report low back
strapping, and for dates of service between 01/01/2010 and 09/30/2010, CPT
code 29799 is used to report the service.)**

A physician who applies the initial cast, strap or splint and also assumes all
of the subsequent fracture, dislocation, or injury care cannot use the
application of casts and strapping codes as an initial service, since the
first cast/splint or strap application is included in the treatment of
fracture and/or dislocation codes. A temporary cast/splint/strap is not
considered to be part of the preoperative care.

Strapping is not always synonymous with taping (such as McConnell taping or
kinesiotaping). See additional information on taping under codes 97110 and
97112. See code 97140 for wrapping techniques for manual lymphatic drainage.

For dates of service on and after 10/1/2010, low back strapping (regardless of
CPT code billed) will be considered a non-reimbursable service under Medicare,
as the service has been removed from CPT as an obsolete procedure [CPT Changes
2010 - An Insider's View, page 91].

Special instructions for code 29580 - Strapping; Unna boot

Bilateral unna boots should be billed with a modifier -50 (bilateral
procedure).

**CPT 29799 - Unlisted procedure, casting or strapping** **  
**

If an existing CPT code does not describe the service performed, an unlisted
CPT code may be used. The use of unlisted codes should be rare. If unlisted
codes are billed, the medical record and claim must clearly state what
modality or procedure is billed as an unlisted code. If not, the unlisted code
billed will be subject to denial for insufficient information. As of
10/01/2010, low back strapping (formerly CPT code 29220) should not be billed
with CPT code 29799.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements for 29799**

This is an untimed code, billable as "1" unit. Please see section
Documentation Requirements for Unlisted Procedure Codes.

**General Guidelines for Splinting (Codes 29105-29131, 29505-29515)**

See codes 97760 and 97762 for further information on orthotics.

According to CPT Assistant-February 2007, orthosis application differs from
the purpose of an application of a cast or strapping device. Casting and
strapping codes should not be reported for orthotics fitting and training.

This example is based upon a clinical vignette in CPT Assistant-April 2002.

Patient C is a 70-year-old female who presents to the outpatient orthopaedic
clinic following a left ankle injury when her foot became twisted in her dog's
run chain. After the orthopaedist evaluates the patient, radiologic views were
obtained that substantiated the diagnosis of a sprained ankle ligament. A
short-leg plaster posterior molded splint is applied by the physical therapist
due to the degree of swelling (billable as CPT 29515). Upon return to the
orthopaedic clinic, the splint is removed, x-rays repeated, and based on those
findings, a short-leg fiberglass nonwalking cast is applied.

These are untimed codes. **  
  
**

**CPT 90901 - Biofeedback training by any modality **

**CPT 90912 - Biofeedback training, perineal muscles, anorectal or urethral
sphincter, including EMG and/or manometry, when performed; initial 15 minutes
of one-on-one physician or other qualified health care professional contact
with the patient**

**90913; each additional 15 minutes of one-on-one physician or other qualified
health care professional contact with the patient (list separately in addition
to code for primary procedure)**

_Biofeedback therapy differs from electromyography which is a diagnostic
procedure used to record and study the electrical properties of skeletal
muscle. An electromyography device may be used to provide feedback with
certain types of biofeedback. Biofeedback therapy is covered under Medicare
only when it is reasonable and necessary for the individual patient for muscle
re-education of specific muscle groups or for treating pathological muscle
abnormalities of spasticity, incapacitating muscle spasm, or weakness, and
more conventional treatments (heat, cold, massage, exercise, support) have not
been successful. This therapy is not covered for treatment of ordinary muscle
tension states or for psychosomatic conditions._ (CMS Publication 100-03 _,
Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD)_ Manual, Section 30.1 _)_

_Biofeedback for incontinence _

_Biofeedback is covered for the treatment of stress and/or urge incontinence
in cognitively intact patients who have failed a documented trial of pelvic
muscle exercise (PME) training. Biofeedback is not a treatment, per se, but a
tool to help patients learn how to perform PME. Biofeedback-assisted PME
incorporates the use of an electronic or mechanical device to relay visual
and/or auditory evidence of pelvic floor muscle tone, in order to improve
awareness of pelvic floor musculature and to assist patients in the
performance of PME._

_A failed trial of PME training is defined as no clinically significant
improvement in urinary incontinence after completing four weeks of an ordered
plan of pelvic muscle exercises to increase periurethral muscle strength.  _

When providing biofeedback procedures for urinary incontinence, use CPT 90901
when EMG and/or manometry are not performed. CPT 90912 and 90913 describe
biofeedback that is more involved than conventional biofeedback measures (code
90901) and includes evaluations of the EMG activity of the pelvic muscles,
urinary sphincter and/or anal sphincter by using sensors. This procedure can
use manometry (measure of pressure of gases or liquids by use of a manometer)
or EMG (electromyography - the recording of electrical activity initiated in
the muscle tissue for testing purposes) to measure activity. The EMG activity
is evaluated and provides objective information regarding the muscle activity
and provides a basis for pelvic muscle rehabilitation utilizing biofeedback.
**  
**

Additional documentation is necessary to justify biofeedback services beyond
5-6 visits. The descriptor for codes 90901 does not include a time element;
therefore, this code should be billed as one (1) unit.

**Supportive Documentation Requirements (required at least every 10 visits)
for 90901 and 90912/90913** As noted in the NCD descriptions above,
biofeedback is covered only when more conventional treatments such as heat,
cold, massage, exercise (such as PME), and/or support have not been
successful. Therefore, documentation must provide a clear history of the
conventional treatments unsuccessfully tried before initiating biofeedback.
Since biofeedback is only covered when there is a lack of response to other
therapies, the lack of response to or contraindication to, other therapies
must be noted in the patient's record.

Additionally for the treatment of incontinence, include:

  * identification of the type and degree of incontinence, expectations from the treatment and the time frame in which an improvement is anticipated;
  * clear documentation of the formal instruction, monitoring and follow-up of a prescribed course of PME;
  * evidence of behavioral modification training including, but not limited to, bladder retraining and fluid intake modification;
  * the use of a patient record-keeping system, such as a personal voiding diary, in evaluating and monitoring progress.

**CPT 95992 - Canalith repositioning procedure(s) (eg, Epley maneuver, Semont
maneuver), per day  
**Coverage for 95992 is limited to the following condition:

H81.11-H81.13 BENIGN PAROXYSMAL VERTIGO

**CPT 96125 - 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.**

For psychological and neuropsychological testing by physician or psychologist,
see 96101-96103, 96118-96120

Code 96125 has been established to report these test procedures when performed
by qualified health care professionals, such as SLPs and OTs. Code 96125 is a
time-based code intended to be reported per hour, including the time
administering the tests to the patient, interpreting the results, and
preparing the report. Note that this code includes both face-to-face time and
non-face-to-face time.

Clinical example: A 36 year old male with TBI from a MVA is referred to the
health care professional for standardized cognitive performance testing
following a recent discharge. The qualified health care professional selects
and completes face-to-face administration of the appropriate standardized
test(s) to examine the patient's current level of functional cognitive
performance. Raw and standardized scores are derived and analyzed. A written
report is prepared by the qualified health care professional and sent to the
referring physician. **  
 **

**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 (report CPT 0552T, effective 7/1/2019, and additionally, 97037 effective 1/1/2024)
  * 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)
  * pelvic floor congestion
  * pelvic floor pain not of spinal origin
  * hypersensitive clitoris
  * prostatitis
  * cystourethrocele
  * enterocele
  * rectocele
  * vulvodynia
  * vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS)

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.

  * 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.  

**General Documentation Requirements**

The patient's medical record must contain documentation that fully supports
the medical necessity for services included within the LCD. (See "Indications
and Limitations of Coverage.") This documentation includes, but is not limited
to, relevant medical history, physical examination, and results of pertinent
diagnostic tests or procedures, the time of any assessment is included and
billed within the appropriate treatment intervention CPT code _. Therapy
services shall be payable when the medical record and the information on the
claim consistently and accurately report covered therapy services.
Documentation must be legible, relevant and sufficient to justify the medical
necessity of the services billed._ Medicare requires a legible identifier of
the person(s) who provided the service. The method used shall be a hand
written or an electronic signature to sign an order or other medical
documentation for medical review purposes. Electronic or hand written
signatures that have been communicated through facsimile are also acceptable.
Effective April 28, 2008, stamp signatures were no longer acceptable. The
document guidelines in CMS Pub 100-02, _Medicare Benefit Policy Manual_ ,
Chapter 15, Section 220 and 230 identify the minimal expectations of
documentation by providers or suppliers or beneficiaries submitting claims for
payment of therapy services to the Medicare program. It is encouraged, in
order to support the medical necessity and the skilled nature of the
treatment, to document more thoroughly and frequently. Medical review
decisions are based on the information submitted in the medical record.
Therefore, it is critical that the medical record information submitted is
accurate and complete to allow medical review to make a fair payment decision.
The medical record information submitted should:

  * Paint a picture of the patient's impairments and functional limitations requiring skilled intervention;
  * Describe the prior functional level to assist in establishing the patient's potential and prognosis;
  * Describe the skilled nature of the therapy treatment provided;
  * Justify that the type, frequency and duration of therapy is medically necessary for the individual patient's condition;
  * Clearly document both Timed Code Treatment Minutes and Total Treatment Time in order to justify the units billed;
  * Identify each specific skilled intervention/modality provided to justify coding.

Documentation may be submitted in any format as long as all the necessary
information is captured. Forms 700 & 701 are not required documents. The
documentation must establish that the patient needs the unique skills of a
therapist to improve functioning. This is accomplished through a description
of the patient's condition, and any complexities that impact that condition.
Not only should documentation describe the needs of the patient that require
the unique skills of a therapist, but should also describe the services
provided that required the expertise, knowledge, clinical judgment, decision
making and abilities of a clinician that assistants, qualified auxiliary
personnel, caretakers or the patient cannot provide independently _. A
therapist 's skills may be documented, for example, by the descriptions of the
skilled treatment, the changes made to the treatment due to an assessment of
the patient's needs on a particular treatment day, or due to progress judged
sufficient to modify the treatment toward the next more complex or difficult
task. Documentation should establish the variables that influence the
patient's condition, especially those factors that influence the therapist's
(or clinician's) decision to provide more services than are typical for the
individual's condition. Documentation should establish through objective
measurements that the patient is making progress toward goals._ When
regression or plateaus occur, the reasons for the lack of progress should be
noted to justify continued treatment. _Only a clinician may perform an initial
examination, evaluation, reevaluation and assessment or establish a diagnosis
or a plan of care. The clinician may include as part of the evaluation or
reevaluation, objective measurements or observations made by a PTA or OTA
within their scope of practice, but the clinician must actively and personally
participate in the evaluation or reevaluation. The clinician may not merely
summarize the objective findings of others or make judgments drawn from the
measurements and/or observations of others._

Refer to CMS guidance on billing by PTAs and OTAs under
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Billing/TherapyServices/Billing Examples Using
CQ/CO Modifiers for Services Furnished In Whole or In Part by PTAs and OTAs.

**Initial Evaluation (CPT codes 97161-97163, 97165-97167)** The initial
evaluation, which must be performed by a clinician, should document the
medical necessity of a course of therapy through objective findings and
subjective patient self-reporting. Documentation of the initial evaluation
should list the conditions being treated and any complexities that make
treatment more lengthy or difficult. Where it is not obvious, describe the
impact of the conditions and complexities so that it is clear to the medical
reviewer that the services planned are appropriate for the individual.

The initial evaluation establishes the baseline data necessary for assessing
expected rehabilitation potential, setting realistic goals and measuring
progress. Initial evaluations need to provide objective, measurable
documentation of the patient's impairments and how any noted deficits affect
ADLs/IADLs and result in functional limitations. Functional limitations refer
to the inability to perform actions, tasks and activities that constitute the
"usual activities" for the patient. Functional limitations must be meaningful
to the patient and caregiver, and must have potential for improvement. In
addition, the remediation of such limitations must be recognized as medically
necessary.

To support medical necessity, the evaluation should include the following
items.

Presenting condition or complaint...."What brings the patient to therapy at
this time?"

Patients should exhibit a significant change from their "usual" physical or
functional ability to warrant an evaluation.

Provide an objective description of the changes in function that now
necessitate skilled therapy. Simply stating "decline in function" does not
adequately justify the initiation of therapy services.

Diagnosis and description of specific problem(s) to be evaluated

Include area of the body, and conditions and complexities that could impact
treatment

Subjective complaints and date of onset

Relevant medical history

Applicable medical history, medications, comorbidities (factors that make
therapy more complicated or require extra precautions)

Prior diagnostic imaging/testing results

Prior therapy history for the same diagnosis, illness or injury

If recent therapy was provided, documentation must clearly establish that
additional therapy is reasonable and necessary

Social support/environment

What level of support is available, and what level of independence is required
for the patient to be safe in the home environment?

Does the patient live alone, with a caregiver, in a group home, in a
residential care facility, in a skilled nursing facility (SNF), etc.?

Does the home situation have obstacles that the patient must overcome (e.g.,
stairs without handrails)?

What are the patient's usual responsibilities in the home environment?

Prior level of function

Key piece of information used for establishing potential, prognosis and
realistic functional goals

Functional status just prior to the onset of the treating condition requiring
therapy

Record in objective, measurable and functional terms

Functional testing

mobility status (transfers, bed mobility, gait, etc.);

self-care dependence (toileting, dressing, grooming, etc.);

meaningful ADLs/IADLs;

pain, and how it limits function; and

functional balance.

Objectively measure and/or describe the patient's current level of
functioning. Examples, based on the patient's need, may include:

Objective impairment testing

Testing done to determine the source or cause of the functional limitation(s),
such as ROM, manual muscle testing, coordination, tone assessment, balance
etc.

Use concise, objective measurements. Avoid minimal/moderate/severe types of
descriptions when more specific definitions or measurements are available. For
example, when measuring shoulder flexion AROM, document degrees of motion,
rather than documenting, "Shoulder flexion: minimal loss of motion."

Assessment

Summary of the therapist's analysis of the condition being evaluated based on
the examination of the patient. Clinical reasoning for treatment should be
evident when further therapy is recommended.

Prognosis for return to prior functional status, or the maximum expected
condition

Plan of care (see paragraph below)

Signature and credentials of the therapist or physician/NPP completing the
initial evaluation and plan of care. Each therapy discipline must have a
separate plan of care. The plan of care (POC) must contain ALL of the
following information.

Required POC Element

|

Additional Points  
  
---|---  
  
Diagnosis

|

The diagnosis should be specific and as relevant to the problem being treated
as possible. In many cases, both a medical diagnosis (obtained from the
physician/NPP) and an impairment-based treatment diagnosis are relevant.

Bill the most relevant diagnosis. _As always, when billing for therapy
services, the ICD-10 code that best relates to the reason for the treatment
shall be on the claim, unless there is a compelling reason. For example, when
a patient with diabetes is being treated for gait training due to amputation,
the preferred diagnosis is abnormality of gait (which characterizes the
treatment). Where it is possible in accordance with State and local laws and
the contractors Local Coverage Determinations, avoid using vague or general
diagnoses. When a claim includes several types of services, or where the
physician/NPP must supply the diagnosis, it may not be possible to use the
most relevant therapy code in the primary position. In that case, the relevant
code should, if possible, be on the claim in another position._

_Codes representing the medical condition that caused the treatment are used
when there is no code representing the treatment. Complicating conditions are
preferably used in non-primary positions on the claim and are billed in the
primary position only in the rare circumstance that there is no more relevant
code._

  
  
Long Term Goals (LTGs)

|

LTGs should:

pertain to the functional impairment findings documented in the evaluation;

reflect the final level the patient is expected to achieve as a result of
therapy in the current setting;

be realistic, and should have a positive effect on the quality of the
patient's everyday functions;

be function-based and written in objective, measurable terms with a predicted
date for achieving the goals.



  
  
Type of Treatment

|

The type of treatment includes the type of therapy discipline operating under
this POC (PT or OT) and should describe the types of treatment modalities,
procedures or interventions to be provided.  
  
Amount of Treatment

|



Refers to the number of times in a day the type of treatment will be provided.
Where not specified, one treatment session a day is assumed.

Treatment provided more than one session per day per discipline will require
additional documentation to support this amount of therapy.  
  
Frequency of Treatment

|

Refers to the number of times in a week that the type of treatment is
provided.

Treatment more than two or three times a week is expected to be a rare
occurrence. Treatment frequency of greater than three times per week requires
documentation to support this intensity.  
  
Duration of Treatment

|

_Refers to the number of weeks, or the number of treatment sessions, for this
plan of care._

Clinicians could also estimate the duration of the entire episode of care in
this setting.  
  
**Re-evaluations (CPT codes 97164, 97168)** See CPT 97164 and 97168 for
coverage guidelines for therapy re-evaluations.

Re-evaluation documentation must include clear justification for the need for
further tests and measurements after the initial evaluation, such as new
clinical findings, a significant, unanticipated change in the patient's
condition, or failure to respond to the interventions in the plan of care. It
is expected that clinicians continually assess the patient's progress as part
of the ongoing therapy services. This assessment is not considered a formal
re-evaluation; the time of any assessment is included and billed within the
appropriate treatment intervention CPT code.

Re-evaluations must be performed by clinicians and contain all applicable
components of the initial evaluation. Resolved problems do not need to be re-
evaluated; new or ongoing problems may need to be re-evaluated, especially if
there is an anticipated change to the long term goals.

**Progress Reports** Progress reports provide justification for the medical
necessity of treatment. Progress reports shall be written by a clinician at
least once every 10 treatment days. Writing progress notes more frequently
than the minimum is encouraged to support the medical necessity of treatment.
A progress report is not a separately billable service. In CMS Publication
100-02, _Medicare Benefit Policy Manual_ , Chapter 15, Sections 220-230,
Medicare defines the minimum REQUIRED elements of a progress report. It is
essential that clinicians include all required elements in their documentation
(either in a progress report or treatment note). Progress note elements
include (CMS required elements are italicized):

_Date of the beginning and end of the reporting period that this report refers
to;_

_Date that the report was written by the clinician, or if dictated, the date
on which it was dictated;_

_Objective reports of the patient 's subjective statements, if they are
relevant;_

_Objective measurements_ (impairment/function testing) to quantify progress
and support justification for continued treatment;

_Description of changes in status relative to each goal currently being
addressed in treatment. Descriptions shall make identifiable reference to the
goals in the current plan of care;_

Assessment of improvement, extent of progress (or lack thereof) toward each
goal;

_Plans for continuing treatment_ , including documentation of treatment plan
revisions as appropriate;

_Changes to long or short term goals, discharge or an updated plan of care
that is sent to the physician/NPP for certification of the next interval of
treatment;_

_Signature_ with credentials of the clinician who wrote the report.

No specific format is required to demonstrate patient progress as long as all
information noted in the bullets above are included at least once in the
medical record for each progress report period (10 treatment days). Progress
report information may be included in the treatment notes, progress reports
and/or formal re-evaluations (when re-evaluation guidelines are met). During
each progress report period, the clinician must personally furnish in its
entirety at least one billable service on at least one day of treatment.
Verification of the clinician's treatment shall be documented by the
clinician's signature on the treatment note and/or progress report.

**Treatment Notes**

Medical record documentation _is required for every treatment day, and every
therapy service_ to justify the use of codes and units on the claim. The
treatment note must include the following required information:

date of treatment;

identification of each specific treatment, intervention or activity provided
in language that can be compared with the CPT codes to verify correct coding;

record of the total time spent in services represented by timed codes under
timed code treatment minutes;

record of the total treatment time in minutes, which is a sum of the timed and
untimed services;

signature and credentials of each individual(s) that provided skilled
interventions.

In addition, the treatment note may include any information that is relevant
in supporting the medical necessity and skilled nature of the treatment, such
as:

patient comments regarding pain, function, completion of self management/home
exercise program (HEP), etc.;

significant improvement or adverse reaction to treatment;

significant, unusual or unexpected changes in clinical status;

parameters of modalities provided and/or specifics regarding exercises such as
sets, repetitions, weight;

description of the skilled components of the specific exercises, training, or
activities;

instructions given for HEP, restorative or self/caregiver managed program,
including updates and revisions;

communication/consultation with other providers (e.g., supervising clinician,
attending physician, nurse, another therapist);

communication with patient, family, caregiver;

equipment provided

any additional relevant information to support that the patient continues to
require skilled therapy and that the unique skills of a therapist were
provided.

_In the case of maintenance therapy, treatment by the therapist is necessary
to maintain, prevent or slow further deterioration of the patient 's
functional status and the services cannot be safely carried out by the
beneficiary him or herself, a family member, another caregiver or unskilled
personnel._

If grid or checklist forms are used for daily notes or exercise/activity logs,
include the signature and credentials of the qualified professional/auxiliary
personnel providing the service each day. Listing of exercise names (e.g.,
pulleys, UBE, TKE, SLR) does not alone imply that skilled treatment has been
provided, especially if the exercises have been performed over multiple
sessions. Be sure to occasionally document the skilled components of the
exercises so they do not appear repetitive and therefore, unskilled.
Documenting functional activities performed (e.g., "ambulated 35 feet with min
assist", "upper body dressing with set up and supervision") also does not
alone imply that skilled treatment was provided. The skilled
components/techniques of the qualified professional/auxiliary personnel used
to improve the functional activity should be occasionally documented to
support medical necessity.

When documenting treatment time, consistently use the CMS language of total
"Timed Code Treatment Minutes" and "Total Treatment Time". Do not use other
language or abbreviations when referring to treatment minutes as it may be
difficult for medical review to determine the type of minutes documented. _The
amount of time for each specific intervention/modality provided may also be
recorded voluntarily._

Do not record treatment time as "Time in / Time out" for the entire session as
this does not accurately reflect the actual treatment time. Do not "round" all
treatments to 15-minute increments, but rather record the actual treatment
time. Also do not record as "units" of treatment, instead of minutes. Only
"intra-service care" of skilled therapy services should be reflected in the
time documentation. Do not include unbillable time, such as time for:

changing;

waiting for treatment to begin;

waiting for equipment;

resting;

toileting; or

performing unskilled or independent exercises or activities.

Examples of treatment time documentation A treatment session includes 20
minutes therapeutic exercise (97110), 15 minutes therapeutic activities
(97530) and 20 minutes unattended electrical stimulation (G0283). Time
documentation in the treatment note

Timed Code Treatment Minutes: 35 minutes

Total Treatment Time: 55 minutes

A 30 minute OT initial evaluation is completed (97165), followed by 20 minutes
fluidotherapy (97022). Time documentation in the treatment note

Timed Code Treatment Minutes: 0 minutes

Total Treatment Time: 50 minutes

**Canalith Repositioning:** Documentation should include:

\- Results of physiologic testing (if performed)

\- A plan for the continuing care,

\- The progress demonstrated,

\- The number of anticipated additional services,

\- Explanation of why the patient would be unable to performing the exercises
at home without the immediate supervision of a trained professional.

**Discharge Notes**

A discharge note is required for each episode of treatment and must be written
by the clinician. The discharge note is a progress report covering the time
from the last progress report up to the date of discharge, and includes all
required components of a progress report. The discharge note may be considered
the last opportunity to justify the medical necessity of the entire treatment
episode. Therefore, if a discharge summary has been completed, it may be
prudent to submit it with any request of records for medical review, even if
the claim under review is for a treatment period prior to the date of
discharge.

In the case of an unanticipated discharge, the clinician may base any
judgments required to write the report on the treatment notes and verbal
reports of the assistant or qualified auxiliary personnel. In the case of a
discharge anticipated within 3 treatment days of the progress report, the
clinician may provide objective goals which, when met, will authorize the
assistant or qualified auxiliary personnel to discharge the patient. In that
case, the clinician should verify that the services provided prior to
discharge continued to require the skills of a therapist. There must be
indication that the clinician has reviewed the treatment notes and agrees to
the discharge.

**Certifications and Recertifications**

Medicare beneficiaries receiving outpatient therapy services must be under the
care of a physician/NPP. Orders (sometimes called referrals) and
certifications are common means of demonstrating such evidence of physician
involvement. Certification, which is a coverage condition for therapy payment,
requires a dated physician/NPP signature on the therapy plan of care or some
other document that indicates approval of the plan of care. A certification
often differs from an order or referral in that it must contain all required
elements of a plan of care. To assist medical review in determining that the
certification requirements are met, certifications/recertifications should
include the following elements(CMS required elements are italicized):

The date from which the plan of care being sent for certification becomes
effective (for initial certifications, the initial evaluation date will be
assumed to be the start date of the certified plan of care);

_Diagnoses;_

Long term treatment goals;

Type, amount, duration and frequency of therapy services;

Signature, date and professional identity of the therapist who established the
plan; and

Dated physician/NPP _signature indicating that the therapy service is or was
in progress and the physician/NPP makes no record of disagreement with the
plan. (Note: The CORF benefit does not recognize an NPP for certification.)_

Effective January 1, 2008, the interval length shall be determined by _the
patient 's needs, not to exceed 90 days._ Certifications which include all the
required plan of care elements will be considered valid for the longest
duration in the plan (such as 3x/wk for 6 weeks which will be considered as a
total of 18 treatments). If treatment continues past the longest duration
specified, a recertification will be required.

**Documentation Requirements for Unlisted Procedure Codes (97039, 97139,
97799, 29799)**

97039 - In addition to a detailed service description, information in the
medical record submitted to the contractor must specify the type of modality
utilized and, if the modality requires the constant attendance of the
qualified professional/auxiliary personnel, the time spent by the qualified
professional/auxiliary personnel, one-on-one with the beneficiary.

97139 - Information in the medical record and on the claim submitted to the
contractor must specify the procedure furnished and also meet the other
requirements for therapeutic procedures, i.e., the process of effecting
change, through the application of clinical skills or services that attempt to
improve function.

97799 - Information in the medical record submitted to the contractor must
specify the service or procedure furnished, provide an adequate description of
the nature, extent, and need for the procedure, and the time, effort, and
equipment necessary to provide the service.

29799 - Information in the medical record submitted to the contractor must
specify the service. It should also indicate the nature of the injury being
treated and the anticipated outcome of the treatment.

**Utilization Guidelines**

The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) is the method of payment for
outpatient therapy services, except critical access hospitals (CAH), which are
paid on a reasonable cost basis. Although CAHs are not paid via the MPFS, all
outpatient coverage, coding and documentation guidelines, as noted in the
Medicare manuals and this LCD, apply.

Untimed CPT Codes When a therapy treatment modality or procedure is not
defined in the AMA CPT Manual by a specific time frame (such as "each 15
minutes"), the modality or procedure is considered an "untimed" service.
Untimed services are billed _based on the number of times the procedure is
performed, often once per day._ Untimed services billed as more than "1" unit
will require significant documentation to justify treatment greater than one
session per day per therapy discipline. See the section "CPT 97161-97163 and
97165-97167" for additional guidance on billing for evaluations that span more
than 1 day. The minutes spent providing untimed services are reflected in the
documentation under "Total Treatment Time"(and are not included in the minutes
for timed CPT codes when determining the number of timed-based units that may
be billed).

Timed CPT Codes Many CPT codes for therapy modalities and procedures specify
that direct (one-on-one) time spent in patient contact is 15 minutes. _The
time counted is the time the patient is treated_ using skilled therapy
modalities and procedures, and is recorded in the documentation as "Timed Code
Treatment Minutes." Pre- and post-delivery services are not to be counted when
recording the treatment time. The time counted is the "intra-service" care
that begins when the qualified professional/auxiliary personnel is directly
working with the patient to deliver the service. The patient should already be
in the treatment area (e.g., on the treatment table or mat or in the gym) and
prepared to begin treatment. The intra-service care includes assessment. The
time the patient spends not being treated because of a need for toileting or
resting should not be counted. In addition, the time spent waiting to use a
piece of equipment or for other treatment to begin is not considered treatment
time. Time spent "supervising" a patient performing an activity that is
defined as a timed code, or for the patient to perform an independent
activity, even if a therapist is providing the equipment, is considered
unbillable time and these minutes should not be counted in the "Timed Code
Treatment Minutes." Therapy timed services require direct, one-on-one patient
qualified professional/auxiliary personnel contact, and by definition cannot
be billed when performed in a supervised manner.

The first step when billing timed CPT codes is to total the minutes for all
timed modalities and procedures provided to the patient on a single date of
service for a single discipline. For example, a patient under an OT plan of
care receives skilled treatment consisting of 20 minutes therapeutic exercise
(CPT 97110) and 20 minutes self-care/home management training (CPT 97535). The
total "Timed Code Treatment Minutes" documented will be 40 minutes. In
addition, the combined time of 40 minutes will determine the total number of
timed code OT units that shall be billed for the day. Whether a single timed
code service is provided, or multiple timed code services, the skilled minutes
documented in "Timed Code Treatment Minutes' will determine the number of
units billed. Once the minutes have been summed, use the chart below to
determine the total allowable units, based on the total Timed Code Treatment
minutes.

_1 unit > 8 minutes through 22 minutes_

_2 units > 23 minutes through 37 minutes_

_3 units > 38 minutes through 52 minutes _

_4 units > 53 minutes through 67 minutes _

_5 units > 68 minutes through 82 minutes _

_6 units > 83 minutes through 97 minutes _

_7 units > 98 minutes through 112 minutes _

_8 units > 113 minutes through 127 minutes_

When the total Timed Code Treatment minutes for the day is less than 8
minutes, the service(s) should not be billed. It is important to allocate the
total billable units for timed services to the appropriate CPT codes based
upon the number of minutes spent providing each individual service. Any timed
service provided for at least 15 minutes, must be billed one unit. Any timed
service provided for at least 30 minutes, must be billed two units, and so on.
When determining the allocation of units, it is easiest to separate out each
service first into "15-minute time blocks". For example: 20 minutes of
Therapeutic Exercise (CPT 97110) = one 15-minute block + 5 remaining minutes

At least 1 unit must be allocated to this code

38 minutes of Self-care/Home Management Training (97535) = two 15-minute
blocks + 8 remaining minutes

At least 2 units must be allocated to this code

If 38 minutes of CPT 97535 is the only treatment provided, then 3 units would
be billed. However, as demonstrated in the examples below, there may be
treatment sessions in which the correct billing would only allow 2 units,
based on the "remaining minutes".

The "remaining minutes" (those minutes remaining after the "15-minute blocks"
have been allocated) are considered when the total billable units for the day
allow for an additional unit to be billed. See the following examples:



24 minutes of neuromuscular reeducation (CPT 97112)

23 minutes of therapeutic exercise (CPT 97110)

____________________________________________

47 total Timed Code Treatment minutes



Utilizing the chart above, 47 minutes falls within the range for 3 units. To
allocate those 3 units determine the 15-minute blocks first

24 minutes 97112 = one 15-minute block + 9 remaining minutes

23 minutes 97110 = one 15-minute block + 8 remaining minutes

Each code contains one 15-minute block; therefore, each code shall be billed
for at least 1 unit. Since the total minutes allows for 3 units, the third
unit shall be applied to the service with the most "remaining minutes" (97112
has 9 remaining minutes, whereas, 97110 has 8 remaining minutes). The correct
coding is



2 units 97112 + 1 unit 97110

20 minutes of neuromuscular reeducation (CPT 97112)

20 minutes therapeutic exercise (CPT 97110)

________________________________________

40 total Timed Code Treatment minutes

Utilizing the chart above, 40 minutes falls within the range for 3 units. To
allocate those 3 units determine the 15-minute blocks first

20 minutes 97112 = one 15-minute block + 5 remaining minutes

20 minutes 97110 = one 15-minute block + 5 remaining minutes

Each code contains one 15-minute block, therefore, each code shall be billed
for at least 1 one unit. As 3 units is allowed, a review of the "remaining
minutes" is required to determine which code should be billed the additional
unit. Since the "remaining minutes" for each service are the same in this
example, either of the codes may be billed for the additional unit. The
correct coding is either one of the following



2 units 97112 + 1 unit 97110

OR

1 unit 97112 + 2 units 97110

4 minutes assessing shoulder strength prior to initiating and progressing
therapeutic exercise (CPT 97110)

32 minutes therapeutic exercise (CPT 97110)

7 minutes manual therapy (CPT 97140)

_______________________________________

43 total Timed Code Treatment minutes

Utilizing the chart above, 43 minutes falls within the range for 3 units. To
allocate those 3 units determine the 15-minute blocks first



36 minutes 97110 = two 15-minute blocks + 6 remaining minutes

7 minutes 97140 = zero 15-minute blocks + 7 remaining minutes

Code 97110 must be billed for at least 2 units as it contains two 15-minute
blocks. To determine the allocation of the third unit, compare the "remaining
minutes", and apply the additional unit to the service with the most remaining
minutes. The correct coding is

2 units 97110 + 1 unit 97140

18 minutes of therapeutic exercise (CPT 97110)

13 minutes of manual therapy (CPT 97140)

10 minutes of gait training (CPT 97116)

8 minutes of ultrasound (CPT 97035)

_______________________________________

49 total Timed Code Treatment minutes

Appropriate billing for a total of 49 minutes is 3 units. To allocate those 3
units, determine the 15-minute blocks first

18 minutes 97110 = one 15-minute block + 3 remaining minutes

13 minutes 97140 = zero 15-minute blocks + 13 remaining minutes

10 minutes 97116 = zero 15-minute blocks + 10 remaining minutes

8 minutes 97035 = zero 15-minute blocks + 8 remaining minutes

Code 97110 shall be billed for at least one unit as it contains one 15-minute
block. The additional 2 units billable (for a total of 3 units for the day),
must be applied to the services with the greatest remaining minutes. The
correct coding is

1 unit 97110 + 1 unit 97140 + 1 unit 97116

There are not enough total minutes for the day to allow billing for the
ultrasound. However, the ultrasound will still be documented in the treatment
notes.

7 minutes of neuromuscular reeducation (CPT 97112)

7 minutes of therapeutic exercise (97110)

7 minutes of manual therapy (97140)

___________________________________________

21 total Timed Code Treatment minutes

The clinician shall select which CPT code to bill since each service was
performed for the same amount of time and only one unit is allowed. The
correct coding is

1 unit 97112

OR

1 unit 97110

OR

1 unit 97140

For treatment sessions with both timed and untimed services, the units and
time documented for any untimed CPT codes should not be included in the
counting of units and time for the timed CPT codes for a calendar day. The
minutes for the timed codes are reflected in the Timed Code Treatment Minutes,
with the units allocated as described above. The untimed minutes are reflected
in the Total Treatment Time, which is a combination of the timed code minutes
and the untimed code minutes. Per CMS, it is important that the total number
of timed treatment minutes support the billing of units on the claim, and that
the total treatment time reflects services billed as untimed codes. For
example:

35 minutes OT evaluation (CPT 97165)

25 minutes therapeutic exercise (CPT 97110)

8 minutes therapeutic activities (CPT 97530)

_____________________________________

Total Timed Code Treatment minutes = 33 minutes

Total Treatment Time = 68 minutes



The evaluation, being an untimed code, is billable as "1" unit. Do not include
the evaluation minutes in the total timed code treatment minutes when
determining the appropriate number of units to bill for the timed codes. 33
total minutes of timed codes is billable as 2 units. To allocate the 2 timed
code units, break out the 15-minute blocks first



25 minutes 97110 = one 15-minute block + 10 remaining minutes

8 minutes 97530 = zero 15-minute blocks + 8 remaining minutes

Since code 97110 has one 15-minute block, at least 1 unit of 97110 shall be
billed. To determine which code shall be billed with the second unit, compare
the remaining minutes. Since code 97110 has more remaining minutes, the second
timed code unit shall be applied to this code. Correct coding for this session
is

1 unit 97165 + 2 units 97110

The medical record documentation will note that the therapeutic activities
were performed.

40 minutes PT evaluation (CPT 97163)

20 minutes unattended electrical stimulation (CPT G0283-untimed)

10 minute therapeutic exercise for home exercise program (CPT 97110)



Total Timed Code Treatment Minutes = 10 minutes

Total Treatment Time = 70 minutes

The untimed services are billable as 1 unit each. 10 minutes for the timed
code is billable as "1" unit. The correct coding for this session is

1 unit 97163 + 1 unit G0283 + 1 unit 97110

Payment for therapy services is based on the qualified professional/auxiliary
personnel's time spent in treating the individual patient. For this reason, in
the same time period (such as from 1:00 to 1:15) a clinician cannot bill any
of the following pairs of CPT codes for therapy services provided to the same,
or to different patients.

_Any two CPT codes for "therapeutic procedures" requiring direct one-on-one
patient contact (CPT codes 97110-97763)_

Any two CPT codes for modalities requiring "constant attendance" and direct
one-on-one patient contact (CPT codes 97032-97039)

Any two CPT codes requiring either constant attendance or direct one-on-one
patient contact - as described in (a) or (b) above - (CPT codes 97032-97763),
for example, any CPT code for a therapeutic procedure (e.g., 97116 - gait
training) with any attended modality CPT code (e.g., 97035 - ultrasound)

Any CPT code for therapeutic procedures requiring direct one-on-one patient
contact (CPT codes 97110-97763) with the group therapy CPT code (97150)
requiring constant attendance, for example, group therapy (97150) with
neuromuscular reeducation (97112)

Any CPT code for modalities requiring constant attendance (CPT codes
97032-97039) with the group therapy CPT code (97150) for example, group
therapy (97150) with ultrasound (97035)

Any evaluation or reevaluation code (CPT codes 97161-97168) with any other
timed or untimed CPT codes, including constant attendance modalities (CPT
codes 97032-97039), therapeutic procedures (CPT 97110-97763) and group therapy
(CPT code 97150)

Miscoded services may lead to improper payment, or if medically reviewed,
denials of billed charges. Medical records must always support all HCPCS/CPT
codes and units billed.

Do not bill for documentation time separately(except for CPT code 96125). This
is incorporated in the HCPCS/CPT fee reimbursed for each individual service
provided.

Do not code higher than what the procedure requires. Coding in this manner may
allow the provider to collect inappropriate revenues without incurring
additional costs.

Do not select the HCPCS/CPT code based on the reimbursement amount associated
with a particular HCPCS/CPT. Rather select the HCPCS/CPT based on the code
that most accurately describes the service actually provided and/or the
intention of the treatment to achieve the desired outcome/goal.

Do not "unbundle" services/procedures. Unbundling refers to the practice of
splitting a single payment code into two or more codes. This may lead to
inappropriate multiple payments.

Do not bill separately for supplies used to provide therapy services, such as
electrodes, theraband, theraputty, etc.

Therapists, or therapy assistants, working together as a "team" to treat a
patient cannot each bill separately for the same or different service provided
at the same time to the same patient. For example, if an OT and PT are co-
treating a patient with sitting balance and ADL deficits for 30 minutes, then
only 2 units total can be billed to the patient: either 2 units of OT only; 2
units of PT only; or 1 unit of OT and 1 unit of PT.

**Utilization Guidelines and Maximum Billable Units per Date of Service**

Rarely, except during an evaluation, should therapy session length be greater
than 30-60 minutes. If longer sessions are required, documentation must
support as medically necessary the duration of the session and the amount of
interventions performed.

The following interventions should be reported no more than one unit per code
per day per discipline; additional units will be denied: 97012, 97016, 97018,
97022, 97024, 97028, 97129, 97150, 97161-97168, 97605, 97606, G0281, G0283,
G0329.

The following timed interventions should be reported no more than 2 (two)
units per code per day per discipline; additional units will be denied: 97033,
97034, 97035, 97036.

The following interventions should be reported no more than 4 (four) units per
code per day per discipline; additional units will be denied: 97032, 97110,
97112, 97113, 97116, 97124, 97130, 97530, 97533, 97535, 97537, 97542, 97760,
97761, 97763.

Canalith repositioning (95992) should generally be limited to five or fewer
encounters. Sessions in excess of this parameter must be documented as to
their need and why these exercises cannot be performed by the beneficiary
without the supervision of trained professionals. Denials due to the limits
described in this section of the article may be appealed.