Medicare Blog

how to code chiropractic services for medicare

by Arnold Vandervort Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Chiropractors

Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine mostly concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. Some proponents, especially those in the field's early history, have claimed that such disorders af…

have one of the highest error rates when billing Medicare. This rate includes rejected and denied claims. The only chiropractic CPT codes covered by Medicare are 98941, 98942 and 98943. All other CPT codes billed to Medicare will be denied.

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 chiropractor Bill E/M codes to Medicare?

Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover E/M codes when performed by a chiropractor. Covered chiropractic manipulation treatment codes include 98940, 98941, 98942, and 98943.

What is the procedure code for chiropractic?

• The appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code that best describes the service: o 98940: Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment (CMT); spinal, one or two regions; o 98941: Spinal, three to four regions; o 98942: Spinal, five regions.

Can MD Bill chiropractic codes?

established office/outpatient E/M CPT® code (99211-99215) on the same visit as Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment (CPT ® code 98940-98943) because CMT codes already include a brief pre-manipulation assessment. There are times when it would be appropriate, but it should not be routine. Examples of when it may be appropriate to bill an additional

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What codes can chiropractors bill Medicare?

Chiropractors 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 you code chiropractic services?

List of Chiropractic CPT CodesCPT Code 98940 Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); Spinal, 1-2 regions.CPT Code 98941 Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); Spinal, 3-4 regions.CPT Code 98942 Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); Spinal, 5 regions.More items...

What modifiers are used for chiropractic billing?

A. Chiropractic modifiers can be attached to certain CPT codes to tell insurance companies that there is something different about the services related to the CPT code being billed. While there are several modifiers, the two most commonly used in modifiers by chiropractors are modifier 25 and modifier 59.

What are chiropractic codes?

Group 1CodeDescription98940CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATIVE TREATMENT (CMT); SPINAL, 1-2 REGIONS98941CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATIVE TREATMENT (CMT); SPINAL, 3-4 REGIONS98942CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATIVE TREATMENT (CMT); SPINAL, 5 REGIONS

Can a chiropractor bill CPT code 97110?

CPT Code 97110 Chiropractic Chiropractors in helping the mobility of muscles, joints and extremities commonly use the 97110 CPT code.

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.

Does Medicare require modifier at for chiropractic?

For Medicare purposes, a chiropractor must place an AT modifier on a claim when providing active/corrective treatment to treat acute or chronic subluxation. However, the presence of the AT modifier may not in all instances indicate that the service is reasonable and necessary.

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 97012?

CPT 97012 can be reported for mechanical traction. Traction is generally used for joints, especially of the lumbar or cervical spine, with the expectation of relieving pain in or originating from those areas, or increasing the range of motion of the joint.

What is the Medicare allowable rate for chiropractic services?

The result is a Medicare allowable amount cut of 19.54% for chiropractic adjustments.

Is CPT 98940 covered by Medicare?

Medicare pays chiropractors for spinal manipulation CPT codes 98940–98942, when these services are reasonably and medically necessary and meet all Medicare coverage guidelines as set forth in the CMS IOMs . Note: CPT code 98943, CMT, extraspinal, one or more regions, is not a Medicare benefit.

Is 97140 a chiropractic code?

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.

General Information

CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2021 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.

CMS National Coverage Policy

Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, §1833 (e) prohibits Medicare payment for any claim which lacks the necessary information to process the claim.

Article Guidance

The information in this article contains billing, coding or other guidelines that complement the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Chiropractic Services L37387.

ICD-10-CM Codes that Support Medical Necessity

The use of an ICD-10-CM code listed below does not assure coverage of a service. The service must be reasonable and necessary in the specific case and must meet the criteria specified in the Chiropractic Services L37387 LCD.

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.

How many diagnoses are needed for a subluxation?

This policy requires two diagnoses for each subluxation, a primary diagnosis (nonallopathic, ICD-10-CM codes M99.00-M99.05) and a secondary diagnosis from Categories I, II or III, this diagnosis being the cause of the subluxation. Since, after January 1, 1997, the chiropractor may bill for manipulations of up to five separate regions (a subluxation in each region), this diagnostic requirement may lead to five different primary diagnoses and five different secondary diagnoses. The CMS-1500 claim form has space, in Item 21, for four diagnoses. Electronic submitters also have the option of submitting up to four diagnoses. Item 24E of the CMS-1500 claim form or the electronic equivalent will accept one of these four diagnoses, as the diagnosis that justifies the treatment/service reported. It follows then, that, since both paper and electronic claims cannot accept more than four diagnoses, and if three, four, or five re gions were treated leading to six, eight, or ten diagnoses, the question will be asked as to which four diagnoses to put on the claim form.

What is the diagnosis of subluxation?

Subluxation is defined as the incomplete dislocation, off centering, misalignment, fixation or abnormal spacing of vertebrae or intervertebral units. Subluxations are classified as either:

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.

How long after chiropractic treatment can you get an X-ray?

However, an X-ray can still be used, provided that it is within 12 months before or three months following the commencement of treatment.

What are the criteria for subluxation?

The necessary criteria are: A: An asymmetry or misalignment that you have observed through imaging and static palpation.

What is a medical record?

An estimation of the number and frequency of sessions that the patient needs ; A list of the specific goals of your treatment for them; Objective, measurable benchmarks that you can use to determine whether the treatment is successful; The date of the first treatment appointment; A full medical record.

Does Medicare cover chiropractic?

We’ll start with the good news: Medicare does cover some chiropractic treatments but, unfortunately, it’s quite a shortlist. There are only three CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes that can be claimed by chiropractic providers.

Does Medicare cover subluxation?

Medicare requires that subluxation be the primary diagnosis in order for it to be covered. This means that you will need to include specific about the bones that require treatment as well as specifics about the area of the spine involved.

General Information

CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2021 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.

Article Guidance

This article gives guidance for billing, coding, and other guidelines in relation to local coverage policy L37254-Chiropractic Services.

ICD-10-CM Codes that Support Medical Necessity

The use of an ICD-10-CM code listed below does not assure coverage of a service. The service must be reasonable and necessary in the specific case and must meet the criteria specified in this determination.

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.

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.

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 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.

What is a CPT code for chiropractic?

Chiropractic CPT Codes are published and maintained by the American Medical Association and are one of the most important code sets for chiropractors to become familiar with . Each CPT codes contain five alpha-numeric characters used to describe all the evaluations, diagnostic tests and medical procedures performed by a chiropractor on a patient.

What are the modifiers used by chiropractors?

While there are several modifiers, the two most commonly used in modifiers by chiropractors are modifier 25 and modifier 59. The key to using modifiers to ensure maximum reimbursement is to understand each payer’s specific recommendations on the matter.

What is the highest error rate for Medicare?

Chiropractors have one of the highest error rates when billing Medicare. This rate includes rejected and denied claims. The only chiropractic CPT codes covered by Medicare are 98941, 98942 and 98943. All other CPT codes billed to Medicare will be denied.

What is a CPT code?

CPT codes are an integral part of the chiropractic billing process. Chiropractic billing codes tell the insurance company what procedures the chiropractor is performing and would like to be reimbursed for. Insurance companies use CPT codes to track health data and measure the prevalence and value of certain medical procedures.

Why do insurance companies use CPT codes?

Insurance companies use CPT codes to track health data and measure the prevalence and value of certain medical procedures. Unlike medical providers, chiropractors use a limited set of CPT codes. There are only four codes for chiropractic manipulative treatment – all of which are based on the spinal regions treated: ...

Is chiropractic insurance reimbursement contingent upon CPT?

Chiropractic billing can be complicated. Successful reimbursement depends on more than just the proper CPT codes. Insurance reimbursement is contingent upon the patient’s coverage, proper documentation, and finally, using the proper billing codes.

Is CDT a warranty?

CDT is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. No fee schedules, basic unit, relative values or related listings are included in CDT.

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.

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