This landmark decision is the equivalent of the American Medical Association recognizing acupuncture as a legitimate medical procedure. The codes which are 97780 for acupuncture, and 97781 for electric-acupuncture, were the result of a year and a half effort by CSOM member Ken Cherman, L.Ac. The codes became effective on January 1, 1998. This in conjunction with the NIH consensus statement are two big steps toward Medicare coverage of acupuncture. A comprehensive history, a comprehensive examination, medical decision making of high complexity.
Problems are usually of moderate to high severity.
Physician typically spends 60 minutes face to face with the patient. Examples cited - Lupus patient with fever, seizures and thrombocytopenia. 42 year old male with diastolic blood pressure of 110, history of renal calculi, episodic headaches, intermitient chest pain and orthopnea. A comprehensive history, a comprehensive examination, and medical decision making of moderate complexity. Typically 45 minutes face to face with the patient.