Auditing Therapy Evaluation Codes - Not So Quick!

New evaluation codes for physical therapy (PT) and occupational  therapy (OT) codes were made effective 1/1/2017. Three new physical therapy evaluation codes replaced 97001, and three new occupational evaluation codes replaced 97003.

The change from a single evaluation code for both PT and OT to tiered codes that are somewhat similar in nature to Evaluation & Management codes (E&M) may be confusing. Therapists and coders who review documentation and select the appropriate tiered code are often not clear on the elements and criteria for determining proper code selection. Auditors that review therapy documentation for the purpose of audit, investigation and/or claim adjudication are mistakenly making determinations based solely on time. Therapists working in multidisciplinary settings are often not clear on the difference between the PT and OT evaluation criteria. Therapists often admit that they base their code selection on time.

With a little over a year of experience with the new codes, a number of problems and concerns are present, and the most frequent questions are:

A1.  While the PT and OT evaluation codes appear to be similar to E & M codes, the following guidance was issued in the CPT Assistant: "The definition of terms in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation section are not the same as those in the Evaluation and Management Services section (99201-99350). Do not use the Definitions of Commonly Used Terms in the Evaluation and Management (E/M) Guidelines for physical medicine and rehabilitation services."[i] 

Q2.  How is the time component computed in determining code selection?

A2.  The codes descriptions include "typical time" for each of the codes. However, time is not a determinant in code selection. A physical therapy evaluation that takes 30 minutes can still be classified as a high complexity evaluation if all non-time criteria meet the code definition. The CPT Assistant provides this guidance: "The physical therapy evaluation and re-evaluation codes are service-based codes. The typical time associated with the code descriptors are for guidance only and should not be used to determine the level of complexity."[ii] 

Q3.  Do all the elements of the code have to be at the same level?

A3.  All requirement of code must be met. For example, if a patient presents with multiple personal factors and comorbidities, and the evaluation addresses 1-2 body systems, with moderation decision making for the plan of care, but has a stable clinical presentation, the code selection would meet low complexity, rather than moderate complexity.

Q4.  Are the same criteria used for PT and OT code selection?

A4.  The PT and OT criteria are utilizing different elements and criteria. The basis for the OT evaluation is the OT Framework, 3rd edition.[iii] 

Below is a summary chart of the training materials generally used by the therapy organizations in rolling out coding education.[iv] Chart 2 contains criteria for the use of the PT evaluation codes, Chart 3 contains criteria for use of the OT evaluation codes.

 

For further insight into the PT and OT evaluation codes, review your favorite CPT coding reference book. Both the American Physical Therapy Association[v] and the American Occupational Therapy Association[vi] have provided references on their websites.

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