Treatment FAQ

what treatment codes can massage therapist bill?

by Prof. Orland Koepp Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The bulk of the services a licensed massage therapist bills to insurance will likely fall under the following codes:

  • 97010 Hot and Cold Pack Therapy (Hydrotherapy)
  • 97124 Massage Therapy (Basic Swedish Massage): Therapeutic Procedure, 15 minutes; one or more areas, including...
  • 97140 Manual Therapy (Advanced Massage Therapy Techniques): Therapeutic Procedure, 15 minutes;

The CPT codes massage therapists can use without question are: 97010 - hot and cold packs; 97124 - massage; and 97140 - manual therapy.Apr 1, 2011

Full Answer

What is the billing code for a massage therapist?

Insurance Billing Codes for Massage Therapy. The bulk of the services a licensed massage therapist bills to insurance will likely fall under the following codes: 97010 Hot and Cold Pack Therapy (Hydro Therapy) 97124 Massage Therapy (Basic Swedish Massage)

Can a massage therapist Bill insurance companies?

Where Billing is Okay All 50 states allow massage therapists to bill insurance companies for massage sessions with clients who are either injured on the job (workers compensation) or in a motor vehicle accident. A handful of states permit massage therapists to be contracted providers within the healthcare system.

Can You Bill two massage codes at the same time?

Because codes for massage therapy and manual therapy are linked, the appearance of these two codes billed at the same time for closely occurring services could be seen as double billing. The addition of the “-59” modifier signifies that a distinct treatment has occurred, allowing for two separate codes to be billed.

What is the CPT code for manual therapy?

Manual Therapy Modalities (CPT 97140) For the treatment of restricted motion of soft tissues in the affected extremities, neck, and trunk, myofascial release/soft tissue mobilization in one or more locations may be medically indicated. What is the meaning of CPT code 97139?

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Can a massage therapist use ICD 10 codes?

Examples of ICD-10 Codes for Massage As we've already pointed out, it's absolutely not up to you as a massage therapist to determine the diagnostic code for a client. As an allied health professional, you won't be in a position where you're serving as a client's primary health care provider.

Can a massage therapist Bill 97112?

While some of the treatment modalities may be similar, massage therapists are not licensed or trained in the same way as physical therapists. Insurance companies are likely to reject any claim using the following codes: 97001-97006, 97110, 97112, 97350.

How do you bill for massage therapy?

Some of the more commonly used CPT codes used by massage therapists are below:97124 Massage Therapy. ... 97140 Manual Therapy. ... 97112 Neuromuscular Re-Education. ... 97010 Hot/Cold Packs. ... 97110 Therapeutic Exercise. ... Avoid Overcoding. ... Stay Up To Date With New Codes or Code Changes.

What is the diagnosis code for massage therapy?

ICD-10-PCS code 8E0KX1Z for Therapeutic Massage is a medical classification as listed by CMS under Physiological Systems and Anatomical Regions range.

Can a massage therapist Bill 97110?

Be very careful billing massage as 97110 (Therapeutic exercises) or 97140 (Manual therapy). Since there is code 97124 (massage - including effleurage, petrissage and/or tapotement (stroking, compression, percussion)) You must use this code when massage is documented.

Can a massage therapist bill CPT code 97140?

The CPT codes massage therapists can use without question are: 97010 - hot and cold packs; 97124 - massage; and 97140 - manual therapy.

What does CPT code 97124 mean?

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Therapeutic ProceduresCPT® Code 97124 - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Therapeutic Procedures - Codify by AAPC. CPT. Medicine Services and Procedures. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Evaluations.

What does CPT code 97140 mean?

Manual therapy techniquesCPT® code 97140: Manual therapy techniques, 1 or more regions, each 15 minutes (Mobilization/manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, manual traction)

Does Medicare cover CPT code 97124?

Furthermore, the Medicare relative value units (RVU) do not include any non-spinal services for (e.g., 97140, 97112, 97124 etc.)

Who can bill CPT 97140?

American Medical Association (AMA) coding guidelines dictate that it is only appropriate to bill for Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment (CMT) and manual therapy (CPT code 97140) for the same patient on the same visit under certain circumstances.

What does CPT code 97110 mean?

CPT® code 97110: Therapy procedure using exercise to develop strength, endurance, range of motion and flexibility, each 15 minutes.

Can CPT code 97124 and 97140 be billed together?

It's important to note that you can never bill 96523 or 97124 with 97140, because these codes represent mutually exclusive procedures.

What is massage CPT?

Massage Current Procedural Techniques or CPT Codes are the codes that you need to describe your massage services to insurance companies. The CPT codes are created by the American Medical Association (AMA). Here is some information on how massage CPT codes are created on the AMA Website.

How long does a CPT treatment last?

For any single timed CPT code in the same day measured in 15 minute units, providers bill a single 15-minute unit for treatment greater than or equal to 8 minutes through and including 22 minutes.

Can a qualified provider use a procedure code?

Any procedure code may be used by a qualified provider. Know your codes. Know your billing procedures. Have Patience! You have to know more than just the codes – you need to know how to use them and how to bill to get paid by insurance.

Do insurance companies pay different rates for different codes?

Insurance companies usually pay different rates for different codes but you should not pick a code just because you will get paid more. Because most of these codes are timed codes, you also must include in your chart notes the amount of time you spent on each area.

Can a massage therapist use a physical therapy code?

It is still not clear whether a massage therapist is able to use those codes. Codes are not restricted to one group of providers. Some try to say that the codes listed above are physical therapy codes. Any procedure code may be used by a qualified provider. Know your codes.

What is the ICD-10 code for massage?

International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes or ICD-10 codes are created by the World Health Organization and are used around the world. They are diagnosis codes that are used when doctors prescribe massage so you will need to be up on what is going on. If you are billing insurance or taking some HSA/FSA ...

What is the M95-M99 code?

M95-M99 Other disorders of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. (S30-S39) abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine and pelvis. (T08-T14) unspecified parts of trunk, limb or body region. For “M” and “S” category codes, the side of the body is indicated.

When will ICD 11 be released?

Doctors need to rule out other things first. The next version – ICD-11 are already on the way. In May 2019 , ICD-11 will be presented at the Seventy-second World Health Assembly for endorsement by Member States. In January 2022, Following endorsement, Member States will begin reporting health data using ICD-11. ICD-9-CM codes were 5 digits.

Can massage therapists diagnose clients?

Since these are diagnosis codes and massage therapists can not diagnose clients, the codes will come from the doctor.

Can a doctor write a code?

The doctor may or may not write the actual description of what the code means so you may have to look the code up to know what it means. It is best to get the actual code from the doctors so that you can put the same code on the bill as the doctor does to tell the insurance that you are working on the same condition.

Can a massage therapist bill insurance without a prescription?

It has been previously said that massage therapists can use pain codes to bill the insurance without a prescription. I have never seen a health care plan that does not required massage to be medically necessary which means a prescription is needed.

How to bill insurance for massage therapy?

Interacting with insurance companies correctly will pay off. The following hints will help any massage therapist realize that billing insurance isn’t very hard: 1 Documentation assures payment – make certain your SOAP notes accurately reflect what occurred, chart progress and cover what you billed for. 2 Always follow the doctor’s prescription. 3 Only bill insurance companies that will reimburse a massage therapist. 4 Stay within your scope of practice. 5 Use the correct form and be sure to fill it out correctly. 6 Use the proper, most current codes. 7 When applicable, bill in 15 minute increments. 8 Confirm a procedure code is accepted by a company prior to submission.

What is CPT code?

Combined with the World Health Association’s International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes, the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes offer a concise and accurate description of the medical professional’s actions.

Does insurance cover massage therapy?

As scientific research continues to prove the value of massage therapy, an increasing number of insurance companies now cover massage therapy as an acceptable and billable therapeutic service. Here’s how to deal with insurance companies so you can expand your client base and increase the profitability of your practice.

Is there a code for massage therapy?

Even though there are a plethora of massage techniques used by today’s bodyworkers, there are not enough codes to represent them . Whenever change enters a well-established institution, as massage therapy has entered mainstream medicine, it takes years for all of the components to reflect the change.

Can insurance companies reimburse massage therapists?

Only bill insurance companies that will reimburse a massage therapist. Stay within your scope of practice. Use the correct form and be sure to fill it out correctly. Use the proper, most current codes. When applicable, bill in 15 minute increments. Confirm a procedure code is accepted by a company prior to submission.

Can massage therapists be contracted?

A handful of states permit massage therapists to be contracted providers within the healthcare system. With new legislation constantly emerging, be sure to check on the most current insurance billing guidelines in your state. Additionally, experts in the field suggest using an insurance verification form prior to bill submission.

Why is the 59 modifier used in massage codes?

The addition of the “-59” modifier signifies that a distinct treatment has occurred, allowing for two separate codes to be billed.

Is massage therapy a manual therapy?

According to the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI), massage therapy (97124) and manual therapy (97140) are considered to be linked, meaning if one of these codes is billed, only one payment may be received despite two services being provided.4 In this instance, the modifier “-59” is often recommended.

What is the CPT code for massage therapy?

3. Therapeutic Massage. It’s always important to check your state practice act, but in most cases, physical therapists can bill CPT code 97124 (massage therapy) when they provide therapeutic massage.

What is Medicare code 97763?

97763: Orthotic and Prosthetic Management. For Medicare, therapists should use L-codes, which “are the HCPCS codes providers must use when billing for splints, braces, and any other services related to assessment, fabrication, and supplies—including follow-up.”. 6.

Does Medicare pay for therapists?

According to this CMS document, “Medicare pays only for skilled, medically necessary services delivered by qualified individuals, including therapists or appropriately supervised therapy assistants. Supervising patients who are exercising independently is not a skilled service.” It is safe to assume that most private payers adhere to this same rule.

Can a physical therapist bill for a physical therapy appointment?

Simply put, if a service is rendered by an occupational therapist, a physical therapist cannot bill for that service. However, most payers—including Medicare Part B—allow PTs and OTs to bill for services provided to the same patient on the same date of service.

Can a physical therapist bill for DME?

Physical therapists can bill for DME, but they must first obtain a DMEPOS number. As we explain in this post, “Medicare considers physical therapists ‘suppliers,’ but DMERCs won’t see you that way until you obtain this number.”. You’ll also need to be sure you pick the right code when billing for DME.

Can a therapist bill for dry needling?

Furthermore, “Therapists should never bill beyond what they would normally bill in the absence of student assistance.”. 8. Dry Needling. While PTs can often bill for dry needling services, it ultimately depends on the state’s—and the payer’s—rules.

Does insurance cover massage therapy?

For private payers, you must call the insurance company and find out if they cover massage as performed by a Licensed massage therapist, or if they cover it if done by the LMT but supervised by a Physician. They may cover under both scenarios. (If by "physician" you mean "chiropractor", the LMT may have to be a Certified or Licensed Chiropractic ...

Does LMT have to be supervised by a physician?

The written prescription should be sent to the ins. co with each bill. The LMT does not necessarily have to be supervised by a Physician in the case of MVA/WC, but even if they are, the insurance should pay for it, again, with the prescription.

Do you need a prescription for a massage?

You may need a referral or prescription from the Physician in order to be paid. For WC and MVA, depending on the laws of your State, the codes you mentioned should be covered if performed by a Licensed Massage Therapist if the patient has a written prescription for the massage from a Physician.

Does Medicare pay for massage therapy?

A Licensed Massage Therapist can bill those codes under the Physician they are supervised under; Medicare does not pay for those codes, but private payers, WC, and MVA may, depending on the patient's policy.

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