Medicare Blog

when to bill 97164 for medicare

by Prof. Jeramy Nitzsche Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Use: Re-evaluation (97164) If, during the course of care, you determine that the original plan isn’t having the intended effect on the patient, you may feel it necessary to change the plan of care. In this case, you would perform—and bill for—a re-evaluation.

Use: Re-evaluation (97164)
If you are treating a patient, and he or she presents with a second diagnosis that is either related to the original diagnosis or is a complication resulting from the original diagnosis, you'll need to complete a re-evaluation and create an updated plan of care.
Nov 2, 2018

Full Answer

What is a Pt Re-evaluation CPT 97164?

 PT Re-evaluation (97164) The CPT description for a PT re-evaluation (97164) is in italics below: Re-evaluation of physical therapy established plan of care, requiring these components: 1. An examination including a review of history and use of standardized tests and measures is required; and 2.

What is a 97164 plan of care?

According to the American Medical Association, 97164 denotes a re-evaluation of an established plan of care, which requires these components: “an examination including a review of history and use of standardized tests and measures;”

Can a CPT code 97168 be delivered with a 59 modifier?

The OT may deliver CPT code 97168 along with two units of CPT Code 97530 and one unit of CPT Code 97110. Again, in this case the OT would need to add a 59 modifier to the CPT Code 97168 line item to avoid the NCCI Edits.

Can I Bill 97530 with 97164?

Yes, you are permitted to bill 97530 with 97164 if you use the 59 modifier/X modifier. If you do not bill with the appropriate modifier, then 97164 (Column Two code) will be denied.

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When should I charge re-evaluation?

Under Medicare guidelines, a re-evaluation is medically necessary (and therefore payable) only if the therapist determines that the patient has had a significant improvement, or decline, or other change in his or her condition or functional status that was not anticipated in the POC (emphasis added).

In which situation is a billable re-evaluation appropriate?

When medical necessity is supported, a re-evaluation is appropriate and is separately billable for: A patient who is currently receiving therapy services and develops a newly diagnosed related condition e.g., a patient that is currently receiving therapy treatment for TKA.

What is procedure code 97164?

97164 - Re-evaluation of physical therapy established plan of care, requiring these components: An examination including a review of history and use of standardized tests and measures is required; and a revised plan of care using a standardized patient assessment instrument and/or measurable assessment of functional ...

Does CPT code 97164 need a modifier?

Therapy modifiers This payment policy requires that each new PT evaluative procedure code – 97161, 97162, 97163 or 97164 – to be accompanied by the GP modifier; and, (b) each new code for an OT evaluative procedure – 97165, 97166, 97167 or 97168 – be reported with the GO modifier.

What is difference between progress note and re evaluation?

Re-evaluations are not routine and shouldn't be billed routinely. Progress notes are routine and are completed at every 10th visit or every 30 days (whichever comes first).

What is mean by re evaluation?

: to evaluate (something or someone) again especially with regard to changes or new information Debts force students to delay marriage, postpone children and reevaluate career choices.—

How do you bill for pelvic floor therapy?

CPT Codes For Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Physical Therapy CPT90912 and CPT90913 can be reported for pelvic floor dysfunction and physical therapy. Physical therapy services are performed to restore the function of the pelvic floor.

What is PT Eval Mod complex 30 min?

Moderate Complexity – Typically, 30 minutes are spent face-to-face with the patient and/or family. High Complexity – Typically, 45 minutes are spent face-toface with the patient and/or family.

How do you code a physical therapy evaluation?

Three codes — 97161, 97162, and 97163 — are used for physical therapy evaluation.

Can CPT 97110 and 97164 be billed together?

That's because CMS—at the behest of the APTA—has agreed to accept these pairs without the use of a modifier. In other words, you can perform the following services—and receive payment for them—without needing to affix modifier 59: 97110 with 97164.

Can 97164 and 97140 be billed together?

As of January 1, 2020, the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) has stated that if you bill an initial evaluation code (97161, 97162, 97163) or a re-evaluation code (97164) on the same date of service for the same patient as CPT code 97140 (Manual therapy), you MUST affix modifier 59 to 97140 in order to receive ...

Can 97164 and 97530 be billed together?

Yes, you are permitted to bill 97530 with 97164 if you use the 59 modifier/X modifier. If you do not bill with the appropriate modifier, then 97164 (Column Two code) will be denied.

What is 97164 in healthcare?

Use: Re-evalua tion (97164) If, during the course of care, you determine that the original plan isn’t having the intended effect on the patient, you may feel it necessary to change the plan of care. In this case, you would perform—and bill for—a re-evaluation.

What is 97164 in medical?

Use: Re-evaluation (97164) If you are treating a patient, and he or she presents with a second diagnosis that is either related to the original diagnosis or is a complication resulting from the original diagnosis, you’ll need to complete a re-evaluation and create an updated plan of care.

How long do you have to wait to start a Medicare case?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot of solid guidance on this scenario. However, in the case of Medicare, if 60 days have passed, you must start the case over with an initial evaluation. That’s because Medicare automatically discharges a case when no claims have been submitted for 60 days. But again, this rule specifically applies to Medicare. For those patients with commercial insurances, you should defer to the payer—as well as your state practice act if it includes guidance on when evaluations and re-evaluations are appropriate.

What is 97164 in a re-evaluation?

Use: Re-evaluation (97164) This could include any improvement, decline, or other change in functional status that: you didn’t anticipate when you originally established the plan of care, and. requires further evaluation to ensure the best therapy outcomes.

Can you re-evaluate after surgery?

Re-evaluations also may be appropriate for patients who received therapy treatment prior to surgery and then returned for additional rehabilitation after surgery. The catch in this situation is that some commercial payers may consider the post-op treatment period a new episode of care, in which case you’d need to use an evaluation code.

Should you defer to the payer for a rotator cuff evaluation?

For those patients with commercial insurances, you should defer to the payer—as well as your state practice act if it includes guidance on when evaluations and re-evaluations are appropriate . Example: You treat a 30-year-old carpenter for right rotator cuff weakness and discharge him or her from care.

How long is 97164?

Typically, 20 minutes are spent face-to-face with the patient and/or family. This means that every time 97164 is billed, regardless of the payer, the elements listed as 1 and 2 above must be completed and documented. The time period of 20 minutes is only mentioned as being typical but is not required.

What is a re-evaluation in Medicare?

The AOTA describes a re-evaluation as the “reappraisal of the patient’s performance and goals to determine the type and amount of change that has taken place. Medicare and other third-party payers may have particular rules about when a re-evaluation may be reimbursed.

What is the AMA CPT?

In sum, the AMA CPT descriptions provide the basics of when a re-evaluation may be billed and what must be included in a PT and OT re-eval. You should note that Medicare and other payers can and sometimes do impose additional conditions that must be met to be paid for a reevaluation.

What is the time required for a standardized patient assessment?

2. Revised plan of care using a standardized patient assessment instrument and/or measurable assessment of functional outcome. Typically, 20 minutes are spent face-to-face with the patient and/or family.

Does Tricare have a re-eval?

The major commercial payers and Tricare do not have any unique guidance regarding re-evals. Their PT/OT policies basically include the AMA’s CPT descriptions for 97164 and 97168 if they include anything at all. Medicare’s more restrictive re-evaluation rules do not necessarily apply to these payers.

Is a re-evaluation required by Medicare?

Under Medicare guidelines, a re-evaluation is medically necessary (and therefore payable) only if the therapist determines that the patient has had a significant improvement, or decline, or other change in his or her condition or functional status that was not anticipated in the POC (emphasis added).

What is Medicare Administrative Contractor?

The Medicare Administrative Contractor is hereby advised that this constitutes technical direction as defined in your contract. CMS does not construe this as a change to the MAC Statement of Work. The contractor is not obligated to incur costs in excess of the amounts allotted in your contract unless and until specifically authorized by the Contracting Officer. If the contractor considers anything provided, as described above, to be outside the current scope of work, the contractor shall withhold performance on the part(s) in question and immediately notify the Contracting Officer, in writing or by e-mail, and request formal directions regarding continued performance requirements.

Does the revision date apply to red italicized material?

Disclaimer for manual changes only: The revision date and transmittal number apply only to red italicized material. Any other material was previously published and remains unchanged. However, if this revision contains a table of contents, you will receive the new/revised information only, and not the entire table of contents.

General Information

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

Article Guidance

Therapy evaluation and formal testing services involve clinical judgment and decision-making which is not within the scope of practice for therapy assistants.

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 severity modifier?

A severity modifier (CH – CN) is required to accompany each functional G-code (G8978-G8999, G9158-9176, and G9186) on the same line of service.

Is a routine re-evaluation of expected progression in accordance with the plan of care considered medical

Routine re-evaluations of expected progression in accordance with the plan of care, either during the episode of care or upon discharge, are not considered to be medically necessary separately billable services.

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A Current Patient Develops A Newly Diagnosed, Related Condition.

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Use: Re-evaluation (97164) If you are treating a patient, and he or she presents with a second diagnosis that is either related to the original diagnosis or is a complication resulting from the original diagnosis, you’ll need to complete a re-evaluation and create an updated plan of care. Example: A 15-year-old high schoo…
See more on webpt.com

A Current Patient Develops A Newly Diagnosed, Unrelated Condition.

  • Use: Initial Evaluation (97161–97163) Conversely, when a patient with an active plan of care presents with a second condition that is totally unrelated to the primary issue, you should select the appropriate initial evaluation code. The nuance for therapists to remember is that a re-evaluation is triggered by a significant clinical change in the condition for which the original pla…
See more on webpt.com

A Patient Undergoes Surgery Mid-Plan of Care.

  • Use: Re-evaluation (97164) Re-evaluations also may be appropriate for patients who received therapy treatment prior to surgery and then returned for additional rehabilitation after surgery. The catch in this situation is that some commercial payers may consider the post-op treatment period a new episode of care, in which case you’d need to use an e...
See more on webpt.com

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