Other ICD-10 codes for physical therapy worth a note include F0131ZZ for Integumentary
The integumentary system is the organ system that protects the body from various kinds of damage, such as loss of water or abrasion from outside. The system comprises the skin and its appendages (including hair, scales, feathers, hooves, and nails).
The circulatory system, also called the cardiovascular system or the vascular system, is an organ system that permits blood to circulate and transport nutrients (such as amino acids and electrolytes), oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones, and blood cells to and from the cells in the body …
Code | Short Descriptor |
---|---|
M54.2 | Cervicalgia |
M25.511 | Pain in right shoulder |
M25.561 | Pain in right knee |
M25.512 | Pain in left shoulder |
The most common physical therapy CPT codes are 97110 (Therapeutic Exercises), 97140 (Manual Therapy), and 97010 (hot and cold pack).
ICD-10-CM CATEGORY CODE RANGE SPECIFIC CONDITION ICD-10 CODE Diseases of the Circulatory System I00 –I99 Essential hypertension I10 Unspecified atrial fibrillation I48.91 Diseases of the Respiratory System J00 –J99 Acute pharyngitis, NOS J02.9 Acute upper respiratory infection J06._ Acute bronchitis, *,unspecified J20.9 Vasomotor rhinitis J30.0
The most commonly used CPT codes for Physical Therapy are listed below. For example, the CPT code for therapeutic exercise is 97110. The CPT code is listed on the left, the name of the code is in the middle and the description is in the right column. 97161. 97162.
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You’ll notice you could code either R26.2 (difficulty walking), or R26.89 (other abnormalities of gait and mobility). That’s because, depending on your evaluation, you might discover the reason behind the disordered movement is best described by one code more than the other. Each code has its own synonyms that can help you make your selection. For example:
Y92.322, Soccer field as the place of occurrence of the external cause.
Additionally, there are several therapy-related codes in Chapter 13 : Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. Most of these codes have site and laterality designations to describe the bone, joint, or muscle related to the patient’s condition.
There, you’ll find directives such as “Use additional code” or “Code first” (“Code first” indicates you should code the underlying condition first). Also, keep in mind that there are single combination codes (i.e., one code that indicates multiple diagnoses) you can use to classify conditions that often occur simultaneously.
The World Health Organization (WHO)—the public health sector of the United Nations that focuses on international health and outbreaks—started developing the ICD-10 coding system in 1983, but didn’t actually finish it until 1992. Yes, it took almost a decade to create ICD-10, and it has taken more than a decade for the US to actually put the final version of the code set to use.
So, what about ICD-10 makes it so much better than ICD-9? Well, the massive number of codes means that medical providers—including rehab therapists—can more accurately document clinical information, including patient diagnoses. Ultimately, that fosters:
For example, you could use Z51.89, encounter for other specified aftercare, or Z47.1, aftercare following joint replacement surgery. However, as this article notes, “you should not submit Z51.89 as a patient’s sole diagnosis—if you can help it—because on its own, this code might not adequately support the medical necessity of therapy treatment. Thus, using it as a primary diagnosis code could lead to claim denials.” In fact, whenever you use an aftercare code, you also should code for the underlying conditions/effects. For chronic or recurrent bone, muscle, or joint conditions, check out Chapter 13.
Unspecified codes are available for the rare cases in which there is absolutely no other, more specific option. If a more specific option is available, you should use it.
The short answer is “no.” Sure, ICD-10 helps healthcare providers better communicate detailed diagnostic information through codes. However, codes aren’t enough by themselves; providers must also continue to complete detailed documentation to support their code selection. According to CMS, “If complete information is not captured in clinical documentation, the result will be incomplete documentation for coding that then can impact revenues through delays, missed revenues, [and] outcome measures that don’t clearly or accurately reflect the quality and complexity of the care that is being delivered.”
The most commonly used CPT codes for Physical Therapy are listed below. For example, the CPT code for therapeutic exercise is 97110. The CPT code is listed on the left, the name of the code is in the middle and the description is in the right column.
CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology and are published by the American Medical Association. Ranging from 00100 to 99499, the CPT codes are used to describe medical, surgical, and diagnostic services and procedures. Medical professionals like Physical Therapists use CPT codes to classify the treatment of diagnoses.
If the CPT code doesn’t support the ICD-10 code, you’ll have a problem – and you’ll likely have trouble getting reimbursed.
Therapeutic Exercise. Therapeutic procedure, one or more areas, each 15 minutes; therapeutic exercises to develop strength and endurance, range of motion, and flexibility. (Generally describes a service aimed at improving a single parameter, such as strength, ROM, etc.) 97112.