| Documentation |
Supportive Documentation Recommendations for 97140
* Area(s) being treated
* Soft tissue or joint mobilization technique used
* Objective and subjective measurements of areas treated (may include ROM, capsular end-feel, pain descriptions and ratings,) and effect on function
When used on the same date of service as chiropractic manipulative therapy (CMT) 98940-98943, the manual therapy service must be provided to a region not manipulated. To indicate the separate and distinct nature of this service from the CMT 97140 must be appended to 97140. Diagnosis pointing on the 1500 form should be used in addition to the 59 to demonstrate the different regions based on diagnoses being from separate body region. Soft Tissue Mobilization / Myofascial release 97140 This procedure involves the application of skilled manual therapy techniques (active or passive) to soft tissues in order to effect changes in the soft tissues, articular structures, neural or vascular systems. Examples are facilitation of fluid exchange, restoration of movement in acutely edematous muscles, or stretching of shortened muscular or connective tissue. Soft tissue mobilization can be considered reasonable and necessary if at least one of the following conditions is present and documented: a. the patient having restricted joint or soft tissue motion in an extremity, neck or trunk b. treatment being a necessary adjunct to other physical therapy interventions such as 97110, 97112 or 97530. It can also be described as working on underlying connective tissue or trigger points to facilitate the release of chronic muscular tensions restricting posture, movement and circulation. This therapeutic procedure includes techniques that promote increase in mobility by affecting periarticular structures, connective tissue and muscles.
Document the muscles/soft tissues targeted, technique/method employed, patient response and time spent. The targeted region(s) typically have an adhesion or indication of fibrosis, which may be exhibited by a painful band or "knot" within the muscle causing limited range of motion. Manual traction-document spinal level (cervical or lumbar), technique or style used (amount of force and any other specifics of the application), patient position, time of traction interval and total time spent. The typical designated outcome would be to restore normal joint spacing thus reducing disc and neural compression, though it can also be used to relieve muscular spasm. The technique involves a drawing or pulling motion on the targeted region by manual means. Diagnoses should indicate a need for traction. (Strain and sprain only do not necessarily indicate a need for traction but may if used to reduce local spasm).
Chiropractic Billing Tip Flexion Distraction Note this is not be used to describe flexion distraction which is considered part of the chiropractic CMT Joint mobilization This procedure may be considered reasonable and necessary if restricted joint motion and/or pain is present and documented. It is used as an adjunct to therapeutic exercises when loss of articular motion and flexibility impedes the therapeutic procedure. Document the targeted joint(s), technique used, objective joint response as well as patient response. Do not confuse this procedure with extra spinal chiropractic manipulation. This code is typically used for "frozen" joints such as shoulder, knee, etc. not for "misalignment "and or "subluxation". It is designated as passive movement within the physiologic joint space with the purpose of increasing overall range of joint motion. Manual Lymphatic Drainage/Complex Decongestive Therapy the goal of this type of therapy is to reduce lymphedema by routing the fluid to functional pathways, preventing backflow as the new routes become established, and to use the most appropriate methods to maintain the reduction after therapy is complete. This therapy involves intensive treatment to reduce the size by a combination of manual decongestive therapy and serial compression bandaging, followed by an exercise program.
Supportive Documentation Recommendations for 97140
* Area(s) being treated
* Soft tissue or joint mobilization technique used
* Objective and subjective measurements of areas treated (may include ROM, capsular end-feel, pain descriptions and ratings,) and effect on function
When used on the same date of service as chiropractic manipulative therapy (CMT) 98940-98943, the manual therapy service must be provided to a region not manipulated. To indicate the separate and distinct nature of this service from the CMT 97140 must be appended to 97140. Diagnosis pointing on the 1500 form should be used in addition to the 59 to demonstrate the different regions based on diagnoses being from separate body region. Soft Tissue Mobilization / Myofascial release 97140 This procedure involves the application of skilled manual therapy techniques (active or passive) to soft tissues in order to effect changes in the soft tissues, articular structures, neural or vascular systems. Examples are facilitation of fluid exchange, restoration of movement in acutely edematous muscles, or stretching of shortened muscular or connective tissue. Soft tissue mobilization can be considered reasonable and necessary if at least one of the following conditions is present and documented: a. the patient having restricted joint or soft tissue motion in an extremity, neck or trunk b. treatment being a necessary adjunct to other physical therapy interventions such as 97110, 97112 or 97530. It can also be described as working on underlying connective tissue or trigger points to facilitate the release of chronic muscular tensions restricting posture, movement and circulation. This therapeutic procedure includes techniques that promote increase in mobility by affecting periarticular structures, connective tissue and muscles.
Document the muscles/soft tissues targeted, technique/method employed, patient response and time spent. The targeted region(s) typically have an adhesion or indication of fibrosis, which may be exhibited by a painful band or "knot" within the muscle causing limited range of motion. Manual traction-document spinal level (cervical or lumbar), technique or style used (amount of force and any other specifics of the application), patient position, time of traction interval and total time spent. The typical designated outcome would be to restore normal joint spacing thus reducing disc and neural compression, though it can also be used to relieve muscular spasm. The technique involves a drawing or pulling motion on the targeted region by manual means. Diagnoses should indicate a need for traction. (Strain and sprain only do not necessarily indicate a need for traction but may if used to reduce local spasm).
Chiropractic Billing Tip Flexion Distraction Note this is not be used to describe flexion distraction which is considered part of the chiropractic CMT Joint mobilization This procedure may be considered reasonable and necessary if restricted joint motion and/or pain is present and documented. It is used as an adjunct to therapeutic exercises when loss of articular motion and flexibility impedes the therapeutic procedure. Document the targeted joint(s), technique used, objective joint response as well as patient response. Do not confuse this procedure with extra spinal chiropractic manipulation. This code is typically used for "frozen" joints such as shoulder, knee, etc. not for "misalignment "and or "subluxation". It is designated as passive movement within the physiologic joint space with the purpose of increasing overall range of joint motion. Manual Lymphatic Drainage/Complex Decongestive Therapy the goal of this type of therapy is to reduce lymphedema by routing the fluid to functional pathways, preventing backflow as the new routes become established, and to use the most appropriate methods to maintain the reduction after therapy is complete. This therapy involves intensive treatment to reduce the size by a combination of manual decongestive therapy and serial compression bandaging, followed by an exercise program. |
