LCD Reference Article Billing and Coding Article

Billing and Coding: Chiropractic Services

A56273

Expand All | Collapse All
Draft Article
Draft Articles are works in progress and not necessarily a reflection of the current billing and coding practices. Revisions to codes are carefully and thoroughly reviewed and are not intended to change the original intent of the LCD.
NOT AN LCD REFERENCE ARTICLE
This article is not in direct support of an LCD.

Document Note

Note History

Contractor Information

Article Information

General Information

Source Article ID
N/A
Article ID
A56273
Original ICD-9 Article ID
Not Applicable
Article Title
Billing and Coding: Chiropractic Services
Article Type
Billing and Coding
Original Effective Date
03/19/2019
Revision Effective Date
10/01/2024
Revision Ending Date
N/A
Retirement Date
N/A

CPT codes, descriptions, and other data only are copyright 2023 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.

Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.

Current Dental Terminology © 2023 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2024, the American Hospital Association, Chicago, Illinois. Reproduced with permission. No portion of the AHA copyrighted materials contained within this publication may be copied without the express written consent of the AHA. AHA copyrighted materials including the UB‐04 codes and descriptions may not be removed, copied, or utilized within any software, product, service, solution, or derivative work without the written consent of the AHA. If an entity wishes to utilize any AHA materials, please contact the AHA at 312‐893‐6816.

Making copies or utilizing the content of the UB‐04 Manual, including the codes and/or descriptions, for internal purposes, resale and/or to be used in any product or publication; creating any modified or derivative work of the UB‐04 Manual and/or codes and descriptions; and/or making any commercial use of UB‐04 Manual or any portion thereof, including the codes and/or descriptions, is only authorized with an express license from the American Hospital Association. The American Hospital Association (the "AHA") has not reviewed, and is not responsible for, the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this material, nor was the AHA or any of its affiliates, involved in the preparation of this material, or the analysis of information provided in the material. The views and/or positions presented in the material do not necessarily represent the views of the AHA. CMS and its products and services are not endorsed by the AHA or any of its affiliates.

CMS National Coverage Policy

N/A

Article Guidance

Article Text

This article provides billing and coding guidelines for Chiropractic services. Coverage of Chiropractic services is a limited benefit. The coverage is limited to manual manipulation for the treatment of subluxation. “Subluxation" is a term used by Chiropractors to describe a spinal vertebra that is out of position in comparison to the other vertebrae.

Refer to the following Medicare Internet online Manuals (IOMs) for coverage of Chiropractic services:
Publication 100-02 Medicare Benefit Policy Manual
Chapter 15 Covered Medical and Other Health Services:

  • § 30.5 Chiropractor’s Services
  • § 40.4 Definition of Physician /Practitioner.
  • § 220 Coverage of Outpatient Rehabilitation Therapy Services (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology Services) Under Medical Insurance
  • §240 Chiropractic Services - General
  • §240.1.1 Manual Manipulation
  • §240.1.2 Subluxation May Be Demonstrated by X-Ray or Physician’s Exam
  • §240.1.3 Necessity for Treatment
  • §240.1.4 Location of Subluxation
  • §240.1.5 Treatment Parameters

Publication 100-04 Medicare Claims Processing Manual
Chapter 12 Physicians/Nonphysician Practitioners

  • §220 - Chiropractic Services

Chapter 23 Fee Schedule Administration and Coding Requirements

  • §20.9.1.1 Instructions for Codes with Modifiers (A/B MACs (B) Only)

WPS GHA has further guidance for the physical examination (IOM 100-02 §240.1.2)
PART (Pain, Asymmetry, Range of motion and tissue tone changes)

Pain – Most primary neuromusculoskeletal disorders manifest primarily by a painful response. Pain and tenderness findings may be identified through one or more of the following: observation, percussion, palpation, provocation, etc. Furthermore, pain intensity may be assessed using one or more of the following: visual analog scales, algometers, pain questionnaires, etc.

Asymmetry/misalignment – Asymmetry/misalignment may be identified on a sectional or segmental level through one or more of the following: observation (posture and gait analysis), static palpation for misalignment of vertebral segments, diagnostic imaging, etc.

Range of motion abnormality – Range of motion abnormalities may be identified through one or more of the following: motion, palpation, observation, stress diagnostic imaging, range of motion measurements, etc.

Tissue/Tone texture may be identified through one or more of the following procedures: observation, palpation, use of instruments, tests for length and strength etc.

The problem/complaint addressed, and precise level of each subluxation treated, must be specified in the medical record. The need for an extensive, prolonged course of treatment should be consistent with the reported diagnosis and must be clearly documented in the medical record. The level of the subluxation must be specified on the claim and must be listed as the primary diagnosis. Refer to ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity found below either listed by location (Lumbar) or exact bones (L1, L2, etc.).

Associated Information
Documentation requirements
Documentation supporting the medical necessity of this item, such as diagnosis codes, must be submitted with each claim. Claims submitted without diagnosis codes will be denied as being not medically necessary. Documentation in the form of progress notes need not be submitted with each claim but be available upon request.

For Medicare purposes, a chiropractor must place an AT modifier on a claim when providing active/corrective treatment to treat acute or chronic subluxation. Claims submitted for Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment (CMT) CPT codes 98940, 98941, or 98942, (found in Group 1 codes under CPT/HCPCS Codes) not containing an AT modifier will be considered not medically necessary.

Utilization Guidelines

Claims should be filed by the performing chiropractor. The Physician Fee Schedule is used when paying for chiropractor services.

Once the maximum therapeutic benefit has been achieved for a given condition, ongoing maintenance therapy is not considered to be medically necessary under the Medicare program.

Coding Guidelines

  1. The precise level of subluxation must be specified on the claim and must be listed as the primary diagnosis. The neuromusculoskeletal condition necessitating the treatment must be listed as the secondary diagnosis.
  2. All claims for chiropractic services must include the following information:
    Date of the initiation of the course of treatment.
    Symptom/condition/Secondary diagnosis code(s)
    Subluxation(s)/Primary diagnosis code(s)
    Date of Service
    Place of Service
    Procedure Code
    Failure to report these items will result in claim denial or delay.

    Note: Date of last x-ray is no longer required. Any date placed in item 19 is considered date of last x-ray. It is recommended that providers do not place any date in item 19 of the CMS-1500 claim form.
  3. Limitation of Liability rules apply: The purpose of the Limitation of Liability provision is to protect the beneficiary from liability in denial cases under certain conditions when services rendered are found to be not reasonable and medically unnecessary.

    If the provider uses the AT Modifier and believes a service is likely to be denied by Medicare as not being medically necessary, the beneficiary must sign an Advance Beneficiary Notification (ABN) and the GA modifier must be used.
  4. Physician signature for progress notes and reports (handwritten, electronic). Initials if signed over a typed or printed name or accompanied by a signature log or attestation statement.

Non-Covered Services:
All services other than manual manipulation of the spine for treatment of subluxation of the spine are excluded when ordered or performed by a Doctor of Chiropractic. Chiropractors are not required to bill these to Medicare. Chiropractic offices may want to submit charges to Medicare to obtain a denial necessary for submitting to a secondary insurance carrier. The following are examples (not an all-inclusive list) of services that, when performed by a Chiropractor, are excluded from Medicare coverage:
- Laboratory tests
- X-rays
- Office Visits (history and physical)
- Physiotherapy
- Traction
- Supplies
- Injections
- Drugs
- Diagnostic studies including EKGs
- Orthopedic devices
- Nutritional supplements and counseling

Medicare does not cover chiropractic treatments to extraspinal regions (CPT 98943), which includes the head, upper and lower extremities, rib cage, and abdomen.

Request for Review
When requesting a review, submit documentation that supports the medical necessity of the denied service.

Response To Comments

Number Comment Response
1
N/A

Coding Information

Bill Type Codes

Code Description

Please accept the License to see the codes.

N/A

Revenue Codes

Code Description

Please accept the License to see the codes.

N/A

CPT/HCPCS Codes

Please accept the License to see the codes.

N/A

CPT/HCPCS Modifiers

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph

N/A

Group 1 Codes

N/A

N/A

ICD-10-CM Codes that Support Medical Necessity

Group 1

(6 Codes)
Group 1 Paragraph

Note: diagnosis codes must be coded to the highest level of specificity.
The level of the subluxation must be specified on the claim and must be listed as the primary diagnosis. The neuromusculoskeletal condition necessitating the treatment must be listed as the secondary diagnosis. All diagnosis codes must be coded to the highest level of specificity, and the primary diagnosis must be supported by x-ray or documented by physical examination.

These are the only covered diagnosis codes that support medical necessity:

Primary: ICD-10-CM Codes (Names of Vertebrae)
The precise level of subluxation must be listed as the primary diagnosis.

Group 1 Codes
Code Description
M99.00 Segmental and somatic dysfunction of head region
M99.01 Segmental and somatic dysfunction of cervical region
M99.02 Segmental and somatic dysfunction of thoracic region
M99.03 Segmental and somatic dysfunction of lumbar region
M99.04 Segmental and somatic dysfunction of sacral region
M99.05 Segmental and somatic dysfunction of pelvic region

Group 2

(48 Codes)
Group 2 Paragraph

SHORT-TERM TREATMENT
(These conditions generally require short-term treatments.)
ICD-10 CM
Symptom/Condition Codes
(Secondary Diagnosis)

Group 2 Codes
Code Description
G43.009 Migraine without aura, not intractable, without status migrainosus
G43.019 Migraine without aura, intractable, without status migrainosus
G43.109 Migraine with aura, not intractable, without status migrainosus
G43.119 Migraine with aura, intractable, without status migrainosus
G43.A0 Cyclical vomiting, in migraine, not intractable
G43.A1 Cyclical vomiting, in migraine, intractable
G43.B0 Ophthalmoplegic migraine, not intractable
G43.B1 Ophthalmoplegic migraine, intractable
G43.C0 Periodic headache syndromes in child or adult, not intractable
G43.C1 Periodic headache syndromes in child or adult, intractable
G43.D0 Abdominal migraine, not intractable
G43.D1 Abdominal migraine, intractable
G43.909 Migraine, unspecified, not intractable, without status migrainosus
G43.919 Migraine, unspecified, intractable, without status migrainosus
G44.1 Vascular headache, not elsewhere classified
G44.209 Tension-type headache, unspecified, not intractable
M47.24 Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, thoracic region
M47.25 Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, thoracolumbar region
M47.26 Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbar region
M47.27 Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
M47.28 Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
M47.811 Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region
M47.812 Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, cervical region
M47.813 Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region
M47.814 Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, thoracic region
M47.815 Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, thoracolumbar region
M47.816 Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbar region
M47.817 Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
M47.818 Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
M48.11 Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], occipito-atlanto-axial region
M48.12 Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], cervical region
M48.13 Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], cervicothoracic region
M48.14 Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], thoracic region
M48.15 Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], thoracolumbar region
M48.16 Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], lumbar region
M48.17 Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], lumbosacral region
M48.18 Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], sacral and sacrococcygeal region
M48.19 Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], multiple sites in spine
M54.2 Cervicalgia
M54.50 Low back pain, unspecified
M54.51 Vertebrogenic low back pain
M54.59 Other low back pain
M54.6 Pain in thoracic spine
M62.49 Contracture of muscle, multiple sites
M62.838 Other muscle spasm
M62.85 Dysfunction of the multifidus muscles, lumbar region
R51.0 Headache with orthostatic component, not elsewhere classified
R51.9 Headache, unspecified

Group 3

(193 Codes)
Group 3 Paragraph

Moderate-Term Treatment
ICD 10 CM
Symptom/Condition Codes
(Secondary Diagnosis)

Group 3 Codes
Code Description
G54.0 Brachial plexus disorders
G54.1 Lumbosacral plexus disorders
G54.2 Cervical root disorders, not elsewhere classified
G54.3 Thoracic root disorders, not elsewhere classified
G54.4 Lumbosacral root disorders, not elsewhere classified
G54.8 Other nerve root and plexus disorders
G55 Nerve root and plexus compressions in diseases classified elsewhere
G57.01 Lesion of sciatic nerve, right lower limb
G57.02 Lesion of sciatic nerve, left lower limb
G57.03 Lesion of sciatic nerve, bilateral lower limbs
G57.21 Lesion of femoral nerve, right lower limb
G57.22 Lesion of femoral nerve, left lower limb
G57.23 Lesion of femoral nerve, bilateral lower limbs
G57.91 Unspecified mononeuropathy of right lower limb
G57.92 Unspecified mononeuropathy of left lower limb
G57.93 Unspecified mononeuropathy of bilateral lower limbs
M12.311 Palindromic rheumatism, right shoulder
M12.312 Palindromic rheumatism, left shoulder
M12.351 Palindromic rheumatism, right hip
M12.352 Palindromic rheumatism, left hip
M12.361 Palindromic rheumatism, right knee
M12.362 Palindromic rheumatism, left knee
M12.371 Palindromic rheumatism, right ankle and foot
M12.372 Palindromic rheumatism, left ankle and foot
M12.38 Palindromic rheumatism, other specified site
M12.39 Palindromic rheumatism, multiple sites
M12.411 Intermittent hydrarthrosis, right shoulder
M12.412 Intermittent hydrarthrosis, left shoulder
M12.451 Intermittent hydrarthrosis, right hip
M12.452 Intermittent hydrarthrosis, left hip
M12.461 Intermittent hydrarthrosis, right knee
M12.462 Intermittent hydrarthrosis, left knee
M12.471 Intermittent hydrarthrosis, right ankle and foot
M12.472 Intermittent hydrarthrosis, left ankle and foot
M12.48 Intermittent hydrarthrosis, other site
M12.49 Intermittent hydrarthrosis, multiple sites
M15.4 Erosive (osteo)arthritis
M15.8 Other polyosteoarthritis
M16.0 Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of hip
M16.11 Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right hip
M16.12 Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left hip
M25.011 Hemarthrosis, right shoulder
M25.012 Hemarthrosis, left shoulder
M25.051 Hemarthrosis, right hip
M25.052 Hemarthrosis, left hip
M25.061 Hemarthrosis, right knee
M25.062 Hemarthrosis, left knee
M25.071 Hemarthrosis, right ankle
M25.072 Hemarthrosis, left ankle
M25.074 Hemarthrosis, right foot
M25.075 Hemarthrosis, left foot
M25.08 Hemarthrosis, other specified site
M25.451 Effusion, right hip
M25.452 Effusion, left hip
M25.461 Effusion, right knee
M25.462 Effusion, left knee
M25.471 Effusion, right ankle
M25.472 Effusion, left ankle
M25.474 Effusion, right foot
M25.475 Effusion, left foot
M25.511 Pain in right shoulder
M25.512 Pain in left shoulder
M25.551 Pain in right hip
M25.552 Pain in left hip
M25.561 Pain in right knee
M25.562 Pain in left knee
M25.571 Pain in right ankle and joints of right foot
M25.572 Pain in left ankle and joints of left foot
M25.611 Stiffness of right shoulder, not elsewhere classified
M25.612 Stiffness of left shoulder, not elsewhere classified
M25.651 Stiffness of right hip, not elsewhere classified
M25.652 Stiffness of left hip, not elsewhere classified
M25.661 Stiffness of right knee, not elsewhere classified
M25.662 Stiffness of left knee, not elsewhere classified
M25.671 Stiffness of right ankle, not elsewhere classified
M25.672 Stiffness of left ankle, not elsewhere classified
M25.674 Stiffness of right foot, not elsewhere classified
M25.675 Stiffness of left foot, not elsewhere classified
M25.811 Other specified joint disorders, right shoulder
M25.812 Other specified joint disorders, left shoulder
M25.851 Other specified joint disorders, right hip
M25.852 Other specified joint disorders, left hip
M25.861 Other specified joint disorders, right knee
M25.862 Other specified joint disorders, left knee
M25.871 Other specified joint disorders, right ankle and foot
M25.872 Other specified joint disorders, left ankle and foot
M43.01 Spondylolysis, occipito-atlanto-axial region
M43.02 Spondylolysis, cervical region
M43.03 Spondylolysis, cervicothoracic region
M43.04 Spondylolysis, thoracic region
M43.05 Spondylolysis, thoracolumbar region
M43.06 Spondylolysis, lumbar region
M43.07 Spondylolysis, lumbosacral region
M43.08 Spondylolysis, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
M43.09 Spondylolysis, multiple sites in spine
M43.11 Spondylolisthesis, occipito-atlanto-axial region
M43.12 Spondylolisthesis, cervical region
M43.13 Spondylolisthesis, cervicothoracic region
M43.14 Spondylolisthesis, thoracic region
M43.15 Spondylolisthesis, thoracolumbar region
M43.16 Spondylolisthesis, lumbar region
M43.17 Spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral region
M43.18 Spondylolisthesis, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
M43.19 Spondylolisthesis, multiple sites in spine
M43.27 Fusion of spine, lumbosacral region
M43.28 Fusion of spine, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
M43.6 Torticollis
M46.01 Spinal enthesopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region
M46.02 Spinal enthesopathy, cervical region
M46.03 Spinal enthesopathy, cervicothoracic region
M46.04 Spinal enthesopathy, thoracic region
M46.05 Spinal enthesopathy, thoracolumbar region
M46.06 Spinal enthesopathy, lumbar region
M46.07 Spinal enthesopathy, lumbosacral region
M46.08 Spinal enthesopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
M46.09 Spinal enthesopathy, multiple sites in spine
M46.41 Discitis, unspecified, occipito-atlanto-axial region
M46.42 Discitis, unspecified, cervical region
M46.43 Discitis, unspecified, cervicothoracic region
M46.44 Discitis, unspecified, thoracic region
M46.45 Discitis, unspecified, thoracolumbar region
M46.46 Discitis, unspecified, lumbar region
M46.47 Discitis, unspecified, lumbosacral region
M50.11 Cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy, high cervical region
M50.120 Mid-cervical disc disorder, unspecified level
M50.121 Cervical disc disorder at C4-C5 level with radiculopathy
M50.122 Cervical disc disorder at C5-C6 level with radiculopathy
M50.123 Cervical disc disorder at C6-C7 level with radiculopathy
M50.13 Cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region
M50.81 Other cervical disc disorders, high cervical region
M50.820 Other cervical disc disorders, mid-cervical region, unspecified level
M50.821 Other cervical disc disorders at C4-C5 level
M50.822 Other cervical disc disorders at C5-C6 level
M50.823 Other cervical disc disorders at C6-C7 level
M50.83 Other cervical disc disorders, cervicothoracic region
M50.91 Cervical disc disorder, unspecified, high cervical region
M50.920 Unspecified cervical disc disorder, mid-cervical region, unspecified level
M50.921 Unspecified cervical disc disorder at C4-C5 level
M50.922 Unspecified cervical disc disorder at C5-C6 level
M50.923 Unspecified cervical disc disorder at C6-C7 level
M50.93 Cervical disc disorder, unspecified, cervicothoracic region
M51.14 Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, thoracic region
M51.15 Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, thoracolumbar region
M51.16 Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region
M51.17 Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
M51.84 Other intervertebral disc disorders, thoracic region
M51.85 Other intervertebral disc disorders, thoracolumbar region
M51.86 Other intervertebral disc disorders, lumbar region
M51.87 Other intervertebral disc disorders, lumbosacral region
M53.0 Cervicocranial syndrome
M53.1 Cervicobrachial syndrome
M53.2X7 Spinal instabilities, lumbosacral region
M53.2X8 Spinal instabilities, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
M53.86 Other specified dorsopathies, lumbar region
M53.87 Other specified dorsopathies, lumbosacral region
M53.88 Other specified dorsopathies, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
M54.11 Radiculopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region
M54.12 Radiculopathy, cervical region
M54.13 Radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region
M54.14 Radiculopathy, thoracic region
M54.15 Radiculopathy, thoracolumbar region
M54.16 Radiculopathy, lumbar region
M54.17 Radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
M60.811 Other myositis, right shoulder
M60.812 Other myositis, left shoulder
M60.851 Other myositis, right thigh
M60.852 Other myositis, left thigh
M60.861 Other myositis, right lower leg
M60.862 Other myositis, left lower leg
M60.871 Other myositis, right ankle and foot
M60.872 Other myositis, left ankle and foot
M60.88 Other myositis, other site
M60.89 Other myositis, multiple sites
M62.830 Muscle spasm of back
M62.85 Dysfunction of the multifidus muscles, lumbar region
M79.11 Myalgia of mastication muscle
M79.12 Myalgia of auxiliary muscles, head and neck
M79.18 Myalgia, other site
M79.7 Fibromyalgia
Q76.2 Congenital spondylolisthesis
R26.2 Difficulty in walking, not elsewhere classified
R29.4 Clicking hip
S13.4XXA Sprain of ligaments of cervical spine, initial encounter
S13.8XXA Sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of neck, initial encounter
S16.1XXA Strain of muscle, fascia and tendon at neck level, initial encounter
S23.3XXA Sprain of ligaments of thoracic spine, initial encounter
S23.8XXA Sprain of other specified parts of thorax, initial encounter
S29.012A Strain of muscle and tendon of back wall of thorax, initial encounter
S33.5XXA Sprain of ligaments of lumbar spine, initial encounter
S33.6XXA Sprain of sacroiliac joint, initial encounter
S33.8XXA Sprain of other parts of lumbar spine and pelvis, initial encounter
S39.012A Strain of muscle, fascia and tendon of lower back, initial encounter
S39.013A Strain of muscle, fascia and tendon of pelvis, initial encounter

Group 4

(70 Codes)
Group 4 Paragraph

Long-Term Treatment
ICD 10 CM
Symptom/Condition Codes (Secondary Diagnosis)

Group 4 Codes
Code Description
M48.01 Spinal stenosis, occipito-atlanto-axial region
M48.02 Spinal stenosis, cervical region
M48.03 Spinal stenosis, cervicothoracic region
M48.04 Spinal stenosis, thoracic region
M48.05 Spinal stenosis, thoracolumbar region
M48.061 Spinal stenosis, lumbar region without neurogenic claudication
M48.062 Spinal stenosis, lumbar region with neurogenic claudication
M48.07 Spinal stenosis, lumbosacral region
M48.31 Traumatic spondylopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region
M48.32 Traumatic spondylopathy, cervical region
M48.33 Traumatic spondylopathy, cervicothoracic region
M48.34 Traumatic spondylopathy, thoracic region
M48.35 Traumatic spondylopathy, thoracolumbar region
M48.36 Traumatic spondylopathy, lumbar region
M48.37 Traumatic spondylopathy, lumbosacral region
M48.38 Traumatic spondylopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
M50.21 Other cervical disc displacement, high cervical region
M50.220 Other cervical disc displacement, mid-cervical region, unspecified level
M50.221 Other cervical disc displacement at C4-C5 level
M50.222 Other cervical disc displacement at C5-C6 level
M50.223 Other cervical disc displacement at C6-C7 level
M50.23 Other cervical disc displacement, cervicothoracic region
M50.31 Other cervical disc degeneration, high cervical region
M50.320 Other cervical disc degeneration, mid-cervical region, unspecified level
M50.321 Other cervical disc degeneration at C4-C5 level
M50.322 Other cervical disc degeneration at C5-C6 level
M50.323 Other cervical disc degeneration at C6-C7 level
M50.33 Other cervical disc degeneration, cervicothoracic region
M51.24 Other intervertebral disc displacement, thoracic region
M51.25 Other intervertebral disc displacement, thoracolumbar region
M51.26 Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region
M51.27 Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbosacral region
M51.34 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, thoracic region
M51.35 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, thoracolumbar region
M51.360 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region with discogenic back pain only
M51.361 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region with lower extremity pain only
M51.362 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region with discogenic back pain and lower extremity pain
M51.370 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region with discogenic back pain only
M51.371 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region with lower extremity pain only
M51.372 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region with discogenic back pain and lower extremity pain
M54.31 Sciatica, right side
M54.32 Sciatica, left side
M54.41 Lumbago with sciatica, right side
M54.42 Lumbago with sciatica, left side
M96.1 Postlaminectomy syndrome, not elsewhere classified
M99.20 Subluxation stenosis of neural canal of head region
M99.21 Subluxation stenosis of neural canal of cervical region
M99.22 Subluxation stenosis of neural canal of thoracic region
M99.23 Subluxation stenosis of neural canal of lumbar region
M99.30 Osseous stenosis of neural canal of head region
M99.31 Osseous stenosis of neural canal of cervical region
M99.32 Osseous stenosis of neural canal of thoracic region
M99.33 Osseous stenosis of neural canal of lumbar region
M99.40 Connective tissue stenosis of neural canal of head region
M99.41 Connective tissue stenosis of neural canal of cervical region
M99.42 Connective tissue stenosis of neural canal of thoracic region
M99.43 Connective tissue stenosis of neural canal of lumbar region
M99.50 Intervertebral disc stenosis of neural canal of head region
M99.51 Intervertebral disc stenosis of neural canal of cervical region
M99.52 Intervertebral disc stenosis of neural canal of thoracic region
M99.53 Intervertebral disc stenosis of neural canal of lumbar region
M99.60 Osseous and subluxation stenosis of intervertebral foramina of head region
M99.61 Osseous and subluxation stenosis of intervertebral foramina of cervical region
M99.62 Osseous and subluxation stenosis of intervertebral foramina of thoracic region
M99.63 Osseous and subluxation stenosis of intervertebral foramina of lumbar region
M99.70 Connective tissue and disc stenosis of intervertebral foramina of head region
M99.71 Connective tissue and disc stenosis of intervertebral foramina of cervical region
M99.72 Connective tissue and disc stenosis of intervertebral foramina of thoracic region
M99.73 Connective tissue and disc stenosis of intervertebral foramina of lumbar region
Q76.2 Congenital spondylolisthesis
N/A

ICD-10-CM Codes that DO NOT Support Medical Necessity

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph

N/A

Group 1 Codes

N/A

N/A

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph

N/A

Group 1 Codes

N/A

N/A

Additional ICD-10 Information

N/A

Bill Type Codes

Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the article does not apply to that Bill Type. Complete absence of all Bill Types indicates that coverage is not influenced by Bill Type and the article should be assumed to apply equally to all claims.

Code Description

Please accept the License to see the codes.

N/A

Revenue Codes

Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the article, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination. Complete absence of all Revenue Codes indicates that coverage is not influenced by Revenue Code and the article should be assumed to apply equally to all Revenue Codes.

Code Description

Please accept the License to see the codes.

N/A

Other Coding Information

Group 1

Group 1 Paragraph

N/A

Group 1 Codes

N/A

N/A

Coding Table Information

Excluded CPT/HCPCS Codes - Table Format
Code Descriptor Generic Name Descriptor Brand Name Exclusion Effective Date Exclusion End Date Reason for Exclusion
N/A N/A
N/A
Non-Excluded CPT/HCPCS Ended Codes - Table Format
Code Descriptor Generic Name Descriptor Brand Name Exclusion Effective Date Exclusion End Date Reason for Exclusion
N/A

Revision History Information

Revision History Date Revision History Number Revision History Explanation
10/01/2024 R9

Posted 09/26/2024: Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity, Group 2, added M62.85. Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity, Group 3, added M62.85. Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity, Group 4 Codes, deleted M51.36 and M51.37 and added M51.360, M51.361, M51.362, M51.370, M51.371, and M51.372. These changes are due to 2025 annual ICD-10-CM Code updates and are effective 10/01/2024.

11/30/2023 R8

11/30/2023: Under Documentation Requirements added statement: For Medicare purposes, a chiropractor must place an AT modifier on a claim when providing active/corrective treatment to treat acute or chronic subluxation. Under Utilization Guidelines removed statement: Payment is to the billing chiropractor and is based on the physician fee schedule and added statement: Claims should be filed by the performing chiropractor. The Physician Fee Schedule is used when paying for chiropractor services.
Corrected broken hyperlinks under Other URLs. Minor grammatical changes were made throughout.

07/27/2023 R7

Posted 07/27/2023: Biannual review completed with no change in coverage.

10/01/2021 R6

09/30/2021 ICD-10 CM Code Updates: Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity, deleted M54.5 from Group 2 codes. Added M54.50, M54.51, and M54.59 to Group 2 codes. Review completed 08/10/2021. Grammar and punctuation corrections made throughout the article.

10/01/2020 R5

10/01/2020 ICD-10-CM Code Updates to Group 2: Deleted R51 and added R51.0 and R51.9.

01/21/2020 R4

06/25/2020 Removed Acupuncture from Non-covered Services effective 01/21/2020 due to CMS Publications: 100-03 Medicare National Coverage Determinations; Chapter 1, Part 1 (Sections 10 – 80.12) Coverage Determinations; §30.3.3 – Acupuncture for Chronic Lower Back Pain (cLBP).

10/31/2019 R3

10/31/2019 For CR 10901 compliance: Title changed to Billing and Coding: Chiropractic Services. The applicable manual/regulation has been referenced in Rules and Regulations s). Format change completed. There has been no change in coverage with this revision.

10/01/2019 R2

09/26/2019 ICD-10-CM Code Updates: Description change to:G43.A0 and G43.A1 in Group Two and M50.120 in Group Three. Review completed 08/30/2019. Provider education: Added MLN 1232664 “Medicare Documentation Job Aid For Doctors of Chiropractic” to Other s).

03/28/2019 R1

03/28/2019 Revised sentence in Utilization Guidelines to read, “Payment is to the billing Chiropractor and is based on the physician fee schedule”.

N/A

Associated Documents

Medicare BPM Ch 15.50.2 SAD Determinations
Medicare BPM Ch 15.50.2
Related Local Coverage Documents
N/A
Related National Coverage Documents
N/A
SAD Process URL 1
N/A
SAD Process URL 2
N/A
Statutory Requirements URLs
N/A
Rules and Regulations URLs
Title XVIII of the Social Security Act:
Description: Section 1833 (e) prohibits Medicare payment for any claim which lacks the necessary information to process the claim. Section 1862 (a) (1) (A) excludes expenses incurred for items or services which are not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member.
https://www.govregs.com/regulations/expand/title42_chapterIV_part411_subpartA_section411.15#title42chapterIV_part411_subpartA_section411.15
Description: CFR Part 411.15., subpart A addresses general exclusions and exclusion of particular services.
N/A
CMS Manual Explanations URLs
https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/Downloads/bp102c15.pdf
Description: CMS Pub. 100-02 Chapter 15 §30.5, 40.4, and 220 & CMS Pub. 100-02 Chapter 15 §240 - 240.1.5.
N/A
Public Versions
Updated On Effective Dates Status
09/17/2024 10/01/2024 - N/A Currently in Effect You are here
11/20/2023 11/30/2023 - 09/30/2024 Superseded View
07/19/2023 07/27/2023 - 11/29/2023 Superseded View
Some older versions have been archived. Please visit the MCD Archive Site to retrieve them.

Keywords

N/A