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Note: This page is intended for healthcare professionals and not the
general public. |
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| Billing Hydromassage for Healthcare Professionals |
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| The AMA’s CPT code book includes the following instructions: |
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Select the name of the procedure or service that most accurately identifies the service performed. |
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There may be services or procedures performed by medical professionals that are not found in CPT. Therefore, a number of specific code numbers have been included for reporting unlisted procedures. When an unlisted procedure code is used, a report describing the service or procedure must be attached to the insurance claim. |
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| Coding for the services provided by any hydrotherapy table isn’t as exact as we would like. The problem is the AMA CPT code book does not have a specific code for hydrotherapy tables. Given that the tables use jets of water to massage the soft tissues and increase circulation, it’s no wonder that the whirlpool code (97022) seems appropriate. The hot pack code (97010) also makes sense as the patient is lying on a mattress filled with hot water. Additionally, the massage code (97124) looks good but that code requires the doctor or therapists to do a hands-on massage. Here's what the leading associations have to say... |
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The American Medical Association has stated the following:
Since there is no code(s) in CPT that specifies the services provided by hydrotherapy tables and since the procedures performed by the device are identified as physical therapy modalities, the most appropriate code to use for these services would be code 97039 (a report should be included with the use of this code to identify the specifics involved in performing the service). |
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| After reviewing all of this, it seems the unlisted modality code of 97039 is the most accurate. |
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| Since proper coding and billing falls under your responsibility as a licensed professional, it is advisable to seek the opinion of your state association, the AMA, a coding professional or the insurance company prior to billing. Also, since codes and/or their descriptions can change, it is important to review them periodically, usually every year. |
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Ask The Insurance Companies What Code To Use
You can ask the insurance companies what code to use prior to billing. After reviewing the codes in your CPT coding manual, just call each company and ask them what code they want you to use. You can use our Explanation of Dry Hydrotherapy to help you explain the tables and the therapy. |
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You can also call us at 800-330-7260 and we will send you a complete guide to dry hydrotherapy. It is the most comprehensive
guide ever written on the subject. It was written by doctors for doctors. |
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| As new information becomes available, we will post it on our website. |
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| Disclaimer: Since CPT coding, billing insurance and getting reimbursed are obviously out of our control, we make no guarantees as to how much anyone will reimburse. |
