Overview
CPT® Code 97035 is used to report the therapeutic application of ultrasound to one or more areas for 15-minute increments. Therapeutic ultrasound is commonly utilized in physical therapy, rehabilitation, and pain management to promote tissue healing, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and alleviate musculoskeletal discomfort.
CPT 97035 represents the treatment service itself, not the evaluation or re-evaluation provided during physical therapy sessions, which are billed separately.
Key Facts About CPT® 97035
- Service type: Physical therapy/rehabilitation modality
- Provider type: Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other qualified rehabilitation providers
- Medical services included:
- Application of therapeutic ultrasound to targeted areas
- 15-minute treatment intervals per body area
- Use for musculoskeletal injuries, chronic pain, or inflammation
- Common clinical indications:
- Soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains)
- Tendinitis or bursitis
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Chronic pain management
- Promotion of tissue healing and circulation
When to Use CPT® 97035
CPT 97035 is appropriate when:
- Therapeutic ultrasound is applied to one or more body areas
- Each 15-minute segment of treatment is billed per body area
- The service is part of a medically necessary rehabilitation plan
- Documentation supports patient progress and response to therapy
Examples:
- Ultrasound therapy for a patient with rotator cuff tendinitis
- Post-operative knee rehabilitation using therapeutic ultrasound
- Chronic lower back pain management with ultrasound applications
- Multiple areas treated during a single physical therapy session
Documentation Requirements
To properly support CPT 97035 billing, documentation should include:
- Patient identifiers and date of service
- Body area(s) treated and duration of ultrasound therapy
- Modality used (therapeutic ultrasound)
- Clinical indication and medical necessity
- Patient response to treatment and any plan updates
Accurate documentation ensures reimbursement compliance, clinical tracking, and audit readiness.
Reimbursement and Coding Considerations
- CPT 97035 is typically reimbursed by Medicare and commercial insurers when medically necessary
- Units are billed per 15 minutes of treatment per body area
- Multiple body areas require separate units and documentation
- Evaluation or re-evaluation services are billed separately using appropriate CPT codes
- Always verify payer-specific policies on therapeutic modalities and billing increments
How OptiMantra Supports Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Modalities
OptiMantra’s integrated EMR and practice management platform streamlines documentation and billing for physical therapy modalities, including CPT 97035.
With OptiMantra, providers can:
- Document ultrasound treatments per body area using structured templates
- Track treatment duration, patient progress, and clinical outcomes
- Generate clean, audit-ready claims for each 15-minute increment
- Integrate modality treatments into broader rehabilitation or pain management care plans
- Maintain compliance with payer rules for therapy and rehabilitation services
By centralizing clinical documentation, billing, and patient progress tracking, OptiMantra enables efficient, compliant delivery of therapeutic ultrasound and other physical therapy modalities.
Try OptiMantra for free here!
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