Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes form a standardized language used throughout the healthcare industry to describe and report medical services. This system ensures that providers, payers, and government agencies communicate clearly about the care delivered to a patient. CPT Code 97140 is specifically designed to identify and bill for a common group of hands-on treatments known as manual therapy techniques. This code is of particular interest to patients seeking treatment for musculoskeletal conditions, as it represents a direct, one-on-one intervention with a therapist.
The Definition of CPT Code 97140
CPT Code 97140 is officially described as “Manual therapy techniques, 1 or more regions, each 15 minutes.” This description indicates that the service involves skilled, hands-on treatment applied to a patient’s body to address physical dysfunction. The code is widely utilized by licensed practitioners, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and chiropractors, to report the time spent performing this specialized care.
Manual therapy refers to treatment where the clinician uses only their hands to apply pressure, manipulate joints, or move tissues. The goal of these hands-on methods is to modulate pain, increase the range of motion in joints, or improve the flexibility of soft tissues. Because it involves direct, skilled interaction, this service is considered a time-based code.
Types of Manual Therapy Techniques Included
The CPT code description specifically names three primary types of techniques that fall under the umbrella of 97140: mobilization/manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, and manual traction. The code also encompasses other hands-on procedures like soft tissue mobilization and myofascial release, provided they meet the definition of skilled manual therapy.
Mobilization and Manipulation
Mobilization and manipulation involve rhythmic, skilled movements applied to a joint to restore its normal motion and reduce pain. These techniques work to free up restrictions in the joint capsule or surrounding tissues, allowing for improved movement and function.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle, hands-on method used to encourage the movement of lymph fluid away from swollen areas of the body. This is often used for patients experiencing lymphedema or chronic swelling following surgery or injury.
Manual Traction
Manual traction involves the application of a hands-on pulling force to an extremity or the spine to gently separate joint surfaces or stretch surrounding muscles. This action is intended to relieve pressure on nerves or reduce muscle spasms in a specific body region.
Understanding the Billing and Time Requirements
CPT 97140 is a time-based code, which means it is billed in “units” that correspond to 15-minute intervals of direct patient care. For a provider to bill for one unit of 97140, they must spend a specific minimum amount of time providing the service, which is governed by administrative rules. The most common guideline for government payers, such as Medicare, is the “8-Minute Rule.” This rule states that at least eight minutes of a service must be delivered to bill for one full unit.
This rule determines how a therapist calculates the number of units to submit on a claim when the session time does not perfectly align with 15-minute blocks. For instance, a 23-minute session of manual therapy would qualify for one unit, but a session lasting 24 minutes would qualify for two units. Furthermore, the code’s description of “one or more regions” confirms that the therapist may apply manual techniques to multiple areas of the body during a single 15-minute period, and the billing unit remains the same. Documentation must clearly specify the time spent, the body region treated, and the specific technique used to justify the medical necessity of the billed units.