CPT® code 97814 is used to report each additional 15 minutes of acupuncture treatment with electrical stimulation following the initial service (typically billed with 97813). This code is billed in conjunction with a primary acupuncture session when treatment time extends beyond the first 15 minutes and includes continuous face-to-face contact with the patient.
Key facts about CPT® code 97814
- Service type: Acupuncture with electrical stimulation
- Duration: Each additional 15-minute increment
- Setting: Outpatient office or clinic
- Face-to-face time required: Yes
- Common usage: Extended therapeutic sessions for pain, chronic conditions, or neuromuscular disorders
- Billed with: Typically used alongside CPT® 97813 (initial 15 minutes with electrical stimulation)
When to use CPT® 97814
CPT® 97814 is appropriate when:
- A patient receives acupuncture with electrical stimulation for more than 15 minutes.
- The provider maintains direct, in-person contact during each additional 15-minute interval.
- The session follows CPT® 97813, which must be billed for the first 15 minutes of treatment with electrical stimulation.
This code reflects active clinical engagement during the full duration, including needle manipulation, monitoring of stimulation settings, patient evaluation, or therapeutic discussion during the session.
Clinical examples of CPT® 97814
CPT® 97814 is commonly used in care plans for:
- Chronic back or neck pain treated with extended electroacupuncture
- Neurological conditions such as sciatica, peripheral neuropathy, or Bell’s palsy
- Muscle spasm and tension requiring prolonged stimulation
- Post-surgical or post-injury rehabilitation using electroacupuncture as adjunctive therapy
- Systemic conditions like fibromyalgia, where longer sessions may yield better response
Multiple units of 97814 may be billed if the session is extended and face-to-face time is documented for each increment.
Documentation requirements
To bill 97814 compliantly, documentation should include:
- Start and stop times of each 15-minute segment
- Confirmation that the provider maintained continuous face-to-face presence during each segment
- Details about the type of electrical stimulation used, settings, and patient tolerance
- Clinical rationale for extended treatment
- Notation of patient response or progress from prior treatments
Each additional unit must be medically necessary and supported by both subjective and objective findings.
Payer and coding considerations
Coverage for CPT® 97814 varies widely among commercial insurers. Some payers may limit the number of units reimbursed per visit or require prior authorization for ongoing care. Medicare does not cover acupuncture services except for specific indications like chronic low back pain—and even then, only for limited session counts.
Accurate coding with 97813 and 97814, along with detailed documentation, improves the likelihood of reimbursement.
How OptiMantra supports acupuncture billing and documentation
For acupuncturists and integrative clinics, OptiMantra makes it easy to track, document, and bill CPT® 97814 in compliance with payer expectations. With features tailored for holistic care models, the platform allows you to:
- Automatically link 97814 to 97813 during visit documentation
- Log session durations and face-to-face time with built-in time tracking tools
- Use customizable acupuncture templates to document modalities, stimulation types, and clinical responses
- Track units billed per visit to stay within payer limits
- Submit clean claims with proper CPT® codes and modifiers—directly from the EHR
Whether you run a solo acupuncture practice or an integrative wellness clinic, OptiMantra helps ensure your time-intensive treatments like 97814 are documented thoroughly and reimbursed accurately.
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