by Find-A-Code™
Jan 4th, 2018
According to CGS Administrators, therapeutic ultrasound is a deep heating modality that produces a sound wave of 0.8 to
3.0 MHz. In the human body ultrasound has several pronounced effects on biologic tissues. It is attenuated by certain tissues and reflected by bone. Thus, tissues lying immediately next to bone may receive as much as 30% greater dosage of ultrasound than tissue not adjacent to bone. Because of the increased extensibility ultrasound produces in tissues of high collagen content, combined with the close proximity of joint capsules, tendons, and ligaments to cortical bone where tissue may receive a more intense irradiation, ultrasound is an ideal modality for increasing mobility in those tissues.
Covered ultrasound may be pulsed or continuous width, and should be used in conjunction with therapeutic procedures, not as an isolated treatment.
Specific indications for the use of ultrasound application include but are not limited to:
- limited joint motion that requires an increase in extensibility;
- symptomatic soft tissue calcification;
- neuromas.
Ultrasound application is not considered reasonable and necessary for the treatment of:
- asthma, bronchitis, or any other pulmonary condition;
- conditions for which the ultrasound can be applied by the patient without the need for a therapist or other professional to administer, and/or for extended period of time (e.g., devices such as PainShield MD);
- wounds.
Phonophoresis (the use of ultrasound to enhance the delivery of topically applied drugs) will be reimbursed as ultrasound, billable using CPT 97035. Separate payment will not be made for the contact medium or drugs.
Ultrasound with electrical stimulation provided concurrently (e.g., Medcosound, Rich-Mar devices), should be billed as ultrasound (97035). Do not bill for both ultrasound and electrical stimulation for the same time period.
If no objective and/or subjective improvement is noted after 6 treatments, a change in treatment plan (alternative strategies) should be implemented or documentation should support the need for continued use of ultrasound. Documentation must clearly support the need for ultrasound more than 12 visits.
Supportive Documentation Recommendations for 97035
- Area(s) being treated
- Frequency and intensity of ultrasound
- Objective clinical findings such as measurements of range of motion and functional limitations to support the need for ultrasound
- Subjective findings to include pain ratings, pain location, effect on function
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