What is an example of 97140?

Asked by: Miss Ophelia Ankunding II  |  Last update: August 12, 2025
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CPT code 97140 and occupational therapy Another important example of manual therapy procedures used in occupational therapy is use of lymphatic drainage which aims to reduce lymphedema of a limb by redirecting fluid to more functional pathways to reduce edema.

What is CPT code 97140 with example?

CPT code 97140 covers manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue and joint mobilization, manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, and manual traction.

What are the rules for 97140 billing?

Understanding the Time-Based Billing Rules for 97140

This means that in order to bill a unit, at least 8 minutes of that 15-minute increment must be spent providing direct patient contact. Any time less than 8 minutes within an increment cannot be counted towards billing.

What is an example of a therapeutic activity billing?

The 97530 CPT code may be billed when a patient engages in therapeutic activity. This CPT code for therapeutic activity includes a wide range of rehabilitative procedures that use whole-body movement to gradually improve functional performance—such as bending, lifting, carrying, and reaching.

How to document 97140?

Key Requirements for Billing CPT Code 97140

Documenting clinical necessity such as the clinical indication of billed techniques. Describing the exact technique used (joint manipulation, myofascial release, etc.). Identifying the location (shoulder, elbow, hand, etc.), and the time required.

Billing 97140 with Your CMT

33 related questions found

What are the rules for Medicare 97140?

Time-Based Billing for CPT Code 97140

This code follows the "8-minute rule" generally imposed for Medicare, which says that there must be at least 8 minutes of therapy to bill for a single unit of 97140. The 8-minute rule is a critical aspect of time-based CPT codes like 97140.

What is modifier 59 in medical billing?

The CPT Manual defines modifier 59 as: “Distinct Procedural Service: Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a. procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-E/M (Evaluation/Management) services.

What is an example of a therapeutic activity?

Specific examples include hand assembly activities, transfers (chair to bed, lying to sitting, etc.), swinging, catching, lunging and throwing. (In contrast to therapeutic exercise which uses one parameter-strength, ROM, flexibility).

What can be billed under manual therapy?

Specifically, CPT® code 97140 is used to bill for manual therapy techniques. This includes joint mobilization/manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, and manual traction, applied to one or more regions of the body to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and enhance overall function.

What is a therapeutic procedure example?

Common therapeutic procedures include a broad spectrum of interventions from immunizations and chemotherapy, to psychotherapy and the prescription of drugs and medicines. Surgical therapeutic procedures are performed once a specific health issue has been diagnosed and a physical procedure is deemed necessary.

Is 97140 PT or OT?

In summary, CPT code 97140 allows therapists to bill for timed, hands-on, manual therapy as part of a patient's care plan. Manual therapy has a place in occupational therapy treatment plans as manual techniques can enhance functional range of motion and manage pain for improved participation in daily tasks.

Is manual therapy the same as physical therapy?

Manual therapy is a specialty within the field of physical therapy. Traditional physical therapy focuses more on managing and treating the symptoms of the disease process, while manual therapy focuses more on performing biomechanical, tissue-based examination to identify the cause of the disease process.

Can you bill 3 units of 97140?

33 minutes of therapeutic exercise, code 97110 7 minutes of manual therapy, code 97140 Total timed code treatment time is 40 minutes. If you look up 40 minutes on the chart, you can bill for a maximum of 3 units (38 to 52 minutes). You can bill 2 units of 97110 and 1 unit of 97140.

What is an example of a CPT procedure code?

Here are some examples of CPT codes: 99397 can be used for a preventive exam if you are over age 65. 90658 can be used for the administration of a flu shot. 90716 can be used for the administration of the chickenpox vaccine (varicella).

What is health code 97140?

CPT code 97140 is a code from the American Medical Association (AMA). It covers manual therapy techniques for 15 minutes or more. This includes manipulation, mobilization, and more. It's for billing procedures that help improve function or manage pain.

What is an example of the 8 minute rule?

As an example, a physical therapist provides 15 minutes of therapeutic exercise (97110), 8 minutes of therapeutic activities (97530), and 5 minutes of manual therapy (97140). All services are timed codes. Adding them together (15 + 8 + 5), the total time spent with the patient is 28 minutes.

What qualifies as manual therapy?

Manual therapy, or manipulative therapy, is a treatment primarily used by physical therapists and occupational therapists to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability. It mostly includes kneading and manipulation of muscles, joint mobilization and joint manipulation.

Can 97110 and 97140 be billed together?

Since the time for each service is the same, choose either code for 2 units and bill the other for 1 unit. Do not bill 3 units for either one of the codes. Appropriate billing for 40 minutes is for 3 units. Bill 2 units of 97110 and 1 unit of 97140.

What is the difference between manual therapy and therapeutic activity?

Manual therapy achieves a faster reduction in pain perception than therapeutic exercise. Therapeutic exercise reduces disability faster than manual therapy. Clinical improvement could potentially be influenced by central processes.

What is therapeutic example?

One of the best known examples of a therapeutic procedure is radiation therapy, or using ionizing radiation mainly as a way to treat or control cancer.

What can be billed as therapeutic activity?

Therapeutic activities also requires dynamic activities or movements, like:
  • lifting,
  • squatting,
  • carrying,
  • pushing,
  • pulling,
  • swinging,
  • walking,
  • running,

When to use 59 or 51 modifier?

Modifier -51 would be attached because the biopsy is the lesser-valued procedure done at the same session, and modifier -59 would be attached to indicate that the biopsy, which is normally bundled with excision of the same lesion, was done on a separate lesion from the one that was excised.

What is a TC modifier?

Modifier TC is used when only the technical component (TC) of a procedure is being billed when certain services combine both the professional and technical portions in one procedure code. Use modifier TC when the physician performs the test but does not do the interpretation.