Most Common Physical Therapy CPT Codes

Proper billing is essential in physical therapy to ensure timely reimbursements and maintain efficient revenue cycle management. Using the correct Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes allows providers to document services accurately while avoiding claim denials and compliance issues.

Understanding the most commonly used physical therapy CPT codes, such as those for therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and neuromuscular re-education, is essential for physical therapists and medical billers to streamline operations and maximize reimbursement.

What Are CPT Codes?

CPT codes are standardized numeric codes used to describe medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures. These codes help insurers understand the services provided, ensuring proper reimbursement and accurate documentation.

In physical therapy, CPT codes cover a variety of treatments, including evaluations, therapeutic procedures, and modalities, helping practices efficiently bill for patient care while staying compliant with insurance policies.

Most Common Physical Therapy CPT Codes

Now that you understand what are CPT codes, let’s check the most common physical therapy CPT codes used to bill physical therapy services.

CPT 97110 – Therapeutic Exercises

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 50 million adults in the U.S. suffer from chronic pain that interferes with their daily activities. Therapeutic exercises play a crucial role in pain management and rehabilitation, helping patients regain strength and mobility.

CPT 97110 is used for therapeutic exercises aimed at improving a patient’s strength, endurance, flexibility, and range of motion. These exercises help patients regain mobility after injuries, surgeries, or medical conditions that impact movement. Since this is a time-based code, physical therapists must document the duration of treatment in 15-minute increments. 

CPT 97112 – Neuromuscular Re-Education

CPT 97112 covers neuromuscular re-education, a treatment designed to improve balance, coordination, posture, and proprioception in patients recovering from neurological conditions or musculoskeletal injuries. 

This code is commonly used for individuals who have suffered strokes, traumatic brain injuries, or nerve damage affecting movement and muscle control. Techniques such as balance exercises, postural training, and movement pattern corrections fall under this category, helping patients restore motor function and prevent further complications.

CPT 97140 – Manual Therapy Techniques

CPT 97140 is used for manual therapy techniques, which involve hands-on treatment by a physical therapist to manipulate soft tissues and joints. This type of therapy is beneficial for patients experiencing pain, stiffness, or limited mobility due to musculoskeletal conditions. 

Techniques such as joint mobilization, myofascial release, and soft tissue mobilization are included under this code. Manual therapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments to enhance range of motion and reduce discomfort.

CPT 97530 – Therapeutic Activities

CPT 97530 applies to therapeutic activities that involve functional, dynamic movements designed to improve a patient’s ability to perform everyday tasks. Unlike therapeutic exercises, which focus on isolated muscle strengthening, therapeutic activities are task-oriented and simulate real-life movements. 

Examples include lifting, reaching, pushing, and balance-related exercises tailored to a patient’s specific needs. This code is often used for patients recovering from injuries or surgeries that affect their ability to perform work-related or daily activities.

CPT 97035 – Ultrasound Therapy

CPT 97035 is used for ultrasound therapy, a treatment that applies deep heat to soft tissues using sound waves. This therapy helps reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms while promoting tissue healing. 

It is commonly used for conditions such as tendonitis, muscle strains, and joint injuries. Since ultrasound therapy is a passive modality, it is often combined with active rehabilitation techniques to optimize recovery outcomes.

Why These CPT Codes Matter in Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy CPT codes are fundamental to ensuring accurate documentation, timely reimbursement, and adherence to insurance regulations in physical therapy. Using the correct codes not only reflects the treatments provided but also minimizes the risk of claim denials, ensuring that services are reimbursed appropriately. 

Furthermore, accurate coding allows physical therapists to effectively track patient progress, evaluate the success of treatment plans, and ensure they are aligned with medical necessity guidelines. This ensures that patients receive the appropriate care and that practices can maintain financial stability and compliance with insurance companies.

Conclusion

Understanding and correctly applying physical therapy CPT codes is crucial for seamless billing and reimbursement. Whether a practice provides therapeutic exercises, neuromuscular re-education, or manual therapy, accurate coding supports financial stability and regulatory compliance.

For practices seeking a hassle-free billing process, our physical therapy billing services will help your practice eliminate errors, reduce claim denials, and improve revenue collection.