CPT® Code 97124 describes a therapeutic massage procedure used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation in soft tissues. This service is commonly used in rehabilitative and integrative care settings to support recovery from injury, improve circulation, and reduce muscle tension.
This code represents the manual application of massage techniques by a licensed healthcare provider to achieve specific clinical outcomes related to soft tissue function.
Key facts about CPT Code 97124
- Purpose: To treat pain, inflammation, and muscle tension through therapeutic massage
- Duration: Billed in 15-minute increments
- Common techniques: Effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), and tapotement (percussion)
- Who performs it: Licensed professionals such as physical therapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists working under a physician’s plan of care
- Typical use cases: Muscle strain, sports injuries, fibromyalgia, post-surgical rehabilitation, stress-related tension
When to use CPT Code 97124
CPT 97124 should be used when massage therapy is medically necessary and delivered for a specific therapeutic goal, such as improving soft tissue function, reducing pain, or increasing range of motion. The session must include one or more of the described massage techniques and must be documented appropriately to support medical necessity.
This code differs from 97140 (manual therapy) in that 97124 focuses solely on massage techniques, while 97140 includes joint mobilization and myofascial release.
Documentation requirements
To ensure proper reimbursement and compliance when billing 97124, documentation must include:
- Start and stop time or total treatment time
- Specific body regions treated
- Massage techniques applied (e.g., effleurage, petrissage)
- Medical necessity and clinical rationale
- Patient response and plan for follow-up
The massage must be tied to a plan of care and not be provided solely for relaxation or wellness purposes if reimbursement is expected from a payer.
Reimbursement and coding tips
Many commercial payers and workers' compensation programs cover CPT 97124 when it is deemed medically necessary and part of an approved treatment plan. Medicare may have limited coverage depending on the diagnosis and provider type. Tips for successful claims:
- Use the appropriate ICD-10 diagnosis code that supports medical necessity
- Ensure massage is provided by or under the supervision of a qualified professional
- Include modifiers (e.g., GP for therapy services under a physical therapy plan of care) if required by the payer
- Avoid overlapping time documentation with other timed services in the same session
How OptiMantra supports practices billing CPT Code 97124
For integrative clinics that offer therapeutic massage as part of their care model, OptiMantra makes it easier to document, code, and bill for services like 97124. The platform offers:
- Customizable SOAP notes tailored for massage and bodywork
- Built-in support for time-based billing codes
- Easy integration of ICD-10 diagnosis codes and modifiers
- Streamlined insurance claims management and tracking
- Patient-facing tools for scheduling and payment for both insurance and self-pay sessions
Whether you’re a multidisciplinary clinic or a wellness center combining massage with medical care, OptiMantra helps ensure your services are documented clearly, billed accurately, and reimbursed faster.
Try OptiMantra for free here!
