Medicare Blog

how to bill medicare chiropractic services

by Lillie Abshire Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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  • Get coding and documentation right. Medicare does cover chiropractic care, but the program is very specific about how to establish medical necessity and demonstrate that your diagnosis fits your patient’s ...
  • Claim requirements. On initial visits, you’ll need to show information about your patient’s condition. ...
  • Bill Medicare. One of the most important things here is to be sure you carefully establish medical necessity for any treatments you provide.

Diagnosis Code Description Medicare Covered Chiropractic Services If the CPT code is 98940, 98941, or 98942 and is billed with one of the following primary diagnosis codes and with modifier AT, then the chiropractic service is covered.

Full Answer

What are the Medicare guidelines for chiropractic?

  • § 30.5 Chiropractor’s Services
  • § 40.4 Definition of Physician /Practitioner.
  • § 220 Coverage of Outpatient Rehabilitation Therapy Services (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology Services) Under Medical Insurance
  • §240 Chiropractic Services - General
  • §240.1.1 Manual Manipulation

More items...

Can chiropractors bill Medicare?

Initials if signed over a typed or printed name or accompanied by a signature log or attestation statement. All services other than manual manipulation of the spine for treatment of subluxation of the spine are excluded when ordered or performed by a Doctor of Chiropractic. Chiropractors are not required to bill these to Medicare.

Does Medicare cover a chiropractor?

Yes, Medicare will cover a chiropractor if it's medically necessary. Medicare Part B will cover 80% of the cost, and a Medigap plan can cover the rest. Medicare Advantage plans vary in terms of what your out-of-pocket costs will be. Which doctors will accept your Medicare coverage depends on whether you have Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage.

How to Bill chiropractic claims?

You'll learn:

  • Basics of billing for a chiropractic practice
  • The most common code modifiers
  • How to file claims with Medicare and private insurance
  • Specifics for submitting workers' compensation and auto accident claims
  • How to handle prior authorizations and benefits verification

See more

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What codes does Medicare cover for chiropractic?

Doctors of chiropractic are limited to billing three Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes under Medicare: 98940 (chiropractic manipulative treatment; spinal, one to two regions), 98941 (three to four regions), and 98942 (five regions).

How do I bill a chiropractic claim?

Claims submitted for Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment (CMT) CPT codes 98940, 98941, or 98942, (found in Group 1 codes under CPT/HCPCS Codes) must contain an AT modifier or they will be considered not medically necessary. Payment is to the billing Chiropractor and is based on the physician fee schedule.

What modifiers are used for chiropractic billing?

Modifiers in Chiropractic Medical Billing:Modifier 25. Modifier 25 is utilized to show that this is an important, independently recognizable evaluation and management (E/M) service by the same physician on the same day. ... GA Modifier. ... GY Modifier. ... Modifier 59. ... X-set Modifiers. ... The Active Treatment (AT) Modifier.

How do you code chiropractic services?

The most commonly billed chiropractic CPT codes are CPT Code 98940 Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); Spinal, 1-2 regions, CPT Code 98941 Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); Spinal, 3-4 regions, and CPT Code 98942 Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); Spinal, 5 regions.

Can a chiropractor bill CPT 97110?

Chiropractors in helping the mobility of muscles, joints and extremities commonly use the 97110 CPT code. The description of CPT 97110 states “therapeutic exercise” which can include any kind of exercise whether it's performed by a physical therapist, occupational therapist or a chiropractic.

Can chiropractors Bill 99214?

Chiropractic Manipulation with Visit A level 4 or 5 E/M (99204, 99205, 99214, 99215) will be denied as provider liability because these levels would require significant additional work, and it is seldom appropriate to bill both.

Can a chiropractor bill 99213?

If a Review of Systems is not documented, the highest level of exam you can bill is 99201 for a NEW patient and 99212 for an ESTABLISHED patient. If PFSH (past, family, and social history) is not documented, the highest level exam you can bill is a 99202 for a NEW patient and 99213 for an ESTABLISHED patient.

What is a 59 modifier chiropractic?

Modifier 59 allows the claim to pass Medicare bundling edits, which would lead to additional reimbursement for the physician. Chiropractic manipulative treatment codes — 98940, 98941, and 98942 — comprise three procedures, that is, pre-assessment (history), manipulation, and post-assessment, bundled together.

Can a chiropractor bill CPT code 97530?

Therapeutic activities can be thought of as the “ing” code – dynamic activities that work towards functional performance such as lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, jumping and reaching would be billed as 97530.

Can a chiropractor bill 99211?

Question: Can Chiropractors bill code 99211? Answer: While technically this code could be used, in reality it would be rarely used in a chiropractic office. This code (99211) is a low complexity examination for an established patient. It can be used by chiropractors, but in most instances, it is discouraged.

Can a chiropractor bill 97032?

97032 CPT Code Description Electrical stimulation can be coded with CPT 97032 and can only be billed when there is one on one contact with the patient and the professional. It is defined as: “Application of a modality to one or more areas; electrical stimulation (manual). Units of 15 minutes.”

How does chiropractic insurance billing work?

Many insurance plans cover a certain number of chiropractic services per person per plan year. So chiropractic medical billing specialists are needed to fill out medical claims forms, complete with diagnosis and procedure codes, and send them to insurance companies for payment. Just like any other medical claim.

Can you claim pain without providing further information?

You must be able to describe and document the pain specifically with information about intensity, location, and quality. Simply noting “pain” in the documentation without providing further information isn’t acceptable. Diagnosis: The claim will only be covered if the primary diagnosis is subluxation.

Is Medicare a part of chiropractic?

For many chiropractors, Medicare patients are an important part of the practice. Getting Medicare billing right takes some care and consistency. Here are some guidelines to create your Medicare chiropractic billing guide:

Does Medicare cover chiropractic care?

Medicare does cover chiropractic care, but the program is very specific about how to establish medical necessity and demonstrate that your diagnosis fits your patient’s needs. If you don’t follow these rules, your claim may be denied or you could even risk accusations of attempted fraud.

What is part B in chiropractic?

Chiropractic services. Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services. Health care services or supplies needed to diagnose or treat an illness, injury, condition, disease, or its symptoms and that meet accepted standards of medicine.

What is Medicare approved amount?

Medicare-Approved Amount. In Original Medicare, this is the amount a doctor or supplier that accepts assignment can be paid. It may be less than the actual amount a doctor or supplier charges. Medicare pays part of this amount and you’re responsible for the difference. and the Part B.

Does Medicare cover chiropractors?

When one or more of the bones of your spine move out of position. . Medicare doesn't cover other services or tests a chiropractor orders, including X-rays, massage therapy, and acupuncture.

General Information

CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2020 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.

CMS National Coverage Policy

Chapter 15, Sections 30.5 Chiropractor’s Services, 240 Chiropractic Services – General, 240.1 – Coverage of Chiropractic Services, 240.1.1 – Manual Manipulation, 240.1.2 – Subluxation May Be Demonstrated by X-Ray or Physician’s Exam, 240.1.3 – Necessity for treatment, 240.1.4 – Location of Subluxation, and 240.1.5 – Treatment Parameters

Article Guidance

This Billing and Coding Article provides billing and coding guidance for Chiropractic Services.

ICD-10-CM Codes that Support Medical Necessity

It is the provider’s responsibility to select codes carried out to the highest level of specificity and selected from the ICD-10-CM code book appropriate to the year in which the service is rendered for the claim (s) submitted.

ICD-10-CM Codes that DO NOT Support Medical Necessity

All those not listed under the “ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity" section of this article.

Bill Type Codes

Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the article does not apply to that Bill Type.

Revenue Codes

Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the article, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination.

What type of condition does a chiropractor diagnose?

Chiropractors typically diagnose only a few types of musculoskeletal conditions. In this presentation by Dr. Evan Gwilliam, you’ll learn the code options, code detail considerations, common diagnostic tests and top procedure code linkage. You’ll also see sample subjective and objective documentation for muscle conditions, headaches, radiculopathy, ...

Why do you need billing experts?

In addition, billing experts – coupled with effective software – can help improve your cash flow, practice productivity and patient experience. Explore whether partnering with insurance billing experts is right for you. Some of the benefits include: Increased reimbursements.

What are the biggest fears of chiropractors?

One of the biggest fears for chiropractors and billing personnel is being audited. Unfortunately, your claim forms and billing patterns might be raising all kinds of bright red flags to the wrong people. Avoid attracting the wrong kind of attention with better billing patterns, and the tools you already have that will keep your practice billing protected, and help you avoid scrutiny.

Can chiropractic billing be implemented?

Chiropractic Office Management. You can’t implement a streamlined chiropractic billing system if your office is not being managed efficiently. As a benefit, the two systems are interdependent upon one another. Strong office management will benefit your billing system and an effective chiropractic billing system will improve your office management.

Is subluxation a primary diagnosis?

The precise level of subluxation must be specified on the claim and must be listed as the primary diagnosis. The neuromusculoskeletal condition necessitating the treatment must be listed as the secondary diagnosis.

Do chiropractors have to bill Medicare?

All services other than manual manipulation of the spine for treatment of subluxation of the spine are excluded when ordered or performed by a doctor of chiropractic. Chiropractors are not required to bill these to Medicare. Chiropractic offices may want to submit charges to Medicare to obtain a denial necessary for submitting to a secondary insurance carrier. The following are examples of (not an all-inclusive list) of services that, when performed by a Chiropractor, are excluded from Medicare coverage.

Is Noridian Medicare copyrighted?

Some of the Provider information contained on the Noridian Medicare web site is copyrighted by the American Medical Association, the American Dental Association, and/or the American Hospital Association. This includes items such as CPT codes, CDT codes, ICD-10 and other UB-04 codes.

Does Medicare cover chiropractic care?

Medicare coverage of chiropractic service is specifically limited to treatment by means of manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation (that is, by use of the hands). Navigation.

What is Medicare Advantage Policy Guideline?

The Medicare Advantage Policy Guideline documents are generally used to support UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage claims processing activities and facilitate providers’ submission of accurate claims for the specified services. The document can be used as a guide to help determine applicable:

Does Medicare cover chiropractors?

No other diagnostic, office visit or therapeutic service furnished by the chiropractor or under the chiropractor’s order is covered. This means that if a chiropractor orders, takes, or interprets an x-ray, or any other diagnostic test, the x-ray or other diagnostic test, can be used for claim processing purposes, but Medicare coverage and payment are not available for those services. This prohibition does not affect the coverage of x-rays or other diagnostic tests furnished by other practitioners under the program. For example, an x-ray or any diagnostic test taken for the purpose of determining or demonstrating the existence of a subluxation of the spine is a diagnostic x-ray test covered if ordered, taken, and interpreted by a physician who is a doctor of medicine or osteopathy.

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