CPT Codes For Massage
CPT Codes For Massage
CPT Codes For Massage
The AMA writes and produces the only CPT manual used in the U.S., and are the final arbiters of
a given code's meaning. In this case, its initial explanation was later corrected/modified,
resulting in a recommendation against use by massage therapists. This is why your coding
information needs to be updated annually. Codes can and do change in meaning and
interpretation; new codes are added, and old codes are deleted.
resources
CPT Code 97112
ABO UT MT
AUTHO R GUIDELINES
Therapeutic procedure, one or more areas, each 15 minutes; neuromuscular re-education of
C LASSIFIEDS movement; balance; coordination; kinesthetic sense; posture; and proprioception.
EDITO R IAL C ALENDAR
MEDIA GUIDE In March 2001, I wrote another letter to the AMA Information Services Committee regarding
MASSAGE MAR T CPT code 97112, requesting the following information:
SC HO O LS & EDUC ATIO N
Please explain/define the types of procedures that would fit this definition.
FEEDBAC K
Please explain/define the meaning of "neuromuscular re-education."
The work of massage therapists could positively affect balance, coordination and
Alternative Health News proprioception. Does that qualify massage therapists to use this code?
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a From a CPT coding perspective, code 97112 is intended to identify therapeutic
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My Interpretation
Massage therapists certified in PNF stretching can use this code to report that service; certified
Hellerwork practitioners also can use this code to report their work. Massage therapists might
interpret their ability to desensitize as fulfilling another aspect of this code. Such an
interpretation may or may not result in payment and would be stretching the intention of the
code. This code is definitely not referring to neuromuscular therapy in any way. The majority of
massage therapists should not use this code.
97124: Therapeutic procedure, one or more areas, each 15 minutes; massage, including
effleurage, petrissage and/or tapotement (stroking, compression, percussion).
In March 2002, I wrote a letter to the AMA Information Services Committee seeking the
following information:
Massage therapists commonly use 97124 or 97140 to describe their work; please explain
the meaning of each of those codes.
How would a massage therapist know which code to use to describe their work?
97124 is for increasing circulation and to promote tissue relaxation to the muscles. The specific
techniques involved would be effleurage, petrissage and/or tapotement. This code is reported
in units of 15 minutes. If your treatment is based on or consists of a basic relaxation massage
(Swedish massage), this is the code to use.
97140 is used to describe therapy which increases active pain-free range of motion, increased
extensibility of myofascial tissue and facilitates return to functional activities. This code is
reported in units of 15 minutes. This code would be used for the techniques stated. It would
include neuromuscular therapy, positional release, stretching and nearly any therapeutic
technique performed manually for the purposes mentioned in the first sentence.
Caution: There are coding strategies going around which have the apparent purpose of billing
for higher amounts of money by using multiple codes to describe the therapy session. Such
coding decisions are not that difficult to make. What did you actually do in the session? How
many units of time did you spend doing 97124? How many units of time did you actually spend
doing 97140? Could a client tell when you had transitioned from one treatment code to
another?
Do your clinical notes reflect the techniques for which you are coding? Can you justify your
billing by clear delineations within your clinical notes? What was actually performed within the
session determines the billing that takes place.
I believe that the vast majority of massage therapists cannot justify the use of 97124 and
97140 within a single treatment session, based on their clinical notes. If you choose to bill
using multiple codes, you will need to spend a considerable amount of time writing clinical
notes to support your billing practices.
Therapeutic Activities, direct (one-on-one) patient contact by the provider (use of dynamic
activities to improve functional performance), each 15 minutes. I wrote yet another letter to the
AMA requesting the following information:
Please explain/define the types of procedures that would fit this definition.
Please explain/define the meaning of "dynamic activities."
The work of massage therapists is often both direct and for the purpose of improving
functional performance. Does that qualify massage therapists to use this code?
From a CPT coding perspective, code 97530, Therapeutic activities, direct (one on
one) patient contact by the provider (use of dynamic activities to improve
functional performance), each 15 minutes, is used to report dynamic therapeutic
activities. Dynamic therapeutic activities include the use of multiple parameters,
such as balance, strength, and range of motion, which are designed to achieve
improved functional performance. Examples include lifting stations, closed kinetic
chain activity, hand assembly activity, transfers (chair to bed, lying to sitting, etc),
and throwing, catching, or swinging. This procedure requires direct (one on one)
patient contact by a physician or therapist and is reported per each 15 minute
intervals that the therapeutic procedure is performed.
My Interpretation
This code is not recommended for use by massage therapists. Dynamic activities to improve
functional performance refers to a series of movements to perform specific functions. The series
of movements is therapeutic in nature; it is planned and specific.
97530 is a code used to report a series of movements involving flexibility, strength and
coordination specifically designed for recovery of everyday functionality. This code is intended
for use by occupational therapists who receive the specific training needed to design
therapeutic activities. If you have not received that specific training, you should not use this
code. (A weekend seminar is insufficient.)
Editor's note: Mr. Denning notes in his article that billing codes are subject to annual change,
and as Massage Today reported recently, new codes specific to alternative therapies are in the
works. If you are currently or plan on using codes to bill for services, do your homework!
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