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The CPT® Code 97018 refers to the application of a modality specifically utilizing a paraffin bath on one or more areas of the body. A paraffin bath is a therapeutic treatment that involves immersing small, irregular surfaces such as the wrists, hands, and feet in melted paraffin wax. Paraffin is a mineral wax that is derived from petroleum and has a low melting point, typically ranging from 125 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. This low melting point allows the wax to remain in a liquid state, enabling extended contact with the skin without posing a risk of thermal injury. The treatment is designed to provide moist heat, which can enhance blood circulation to the affected area and promote relaxation of muscle tissue. Paraffin baths are particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing acute or chronic pain and stiffness, as they can help alleviate discomfort and improve mobility. This modality is often employed prior to physical activities to reduce joint stiffness and enhance the range of motion. It is commonly indicated for patients suffering from conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and scleroderma. Additionally, paraffin baths may be utilized in the management of bursitis, tendonitis, and muscle sprains or strains, making it a versatile treatment option in therapeutic settings.
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The paraffin bath treatment is indicated for various conditions that involve pain and stiffness in the extremities. The following are the explicitly provided indications for the use of a paraffin bath:
The procedure for administering a paraffin bath involves several key steps to ensure effective treatment. The following outlines the procedural steps:
Post-procedure care following a paraffin bath is generally minimal, but there are some considerations to keep in mind. Patients may experience immediate relief from pain and stiffness, and it is advisable to allow the treated area to rest for a short period after the procedure. Patients should be monitored for any adverse reactions, such as redness or irritation, which may indicate sensitivity to the heat or wax. It is also recommended that patients engage in gentle range-of-motion exercises following the treatment to maximize the benefits of increased blood flow and muscle relaxation. Additionally, patients should be advised to keep the treated area moisturized to maintain skin health and prevent dryness. Regular follow-up treatments may be suggested based on the patient's condition and response to therapy.
| Short Descr | PARAFFIN BATH THERAPY | Medium Descr | APPL MODALITY 1/> AREAS PARAFFIN BATH | Long Descr | Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; paraffin bath | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 7 - Physical Therapy Service, for which Payment may not be Made | Multiple Procedures (51) | 5 - Special payment adjustment rules on the RVU practice expense component of multiple therapy service applies... | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Service Paid under Fee Schedule or Payment System other than OPPS | Type of Service (TOS) | 1 - Medical Care | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 213 - Physical therapy exercises, manipulation, and other procedures |
| GO | Services delivered under an outpatient occupational therapy plan of care | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | GP | Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | CQ | Outpatient physical therapy services furnished in whole or in part by a physical therapist assistant | CO | Outpatient occupational therapy services furnished in whole or in part by an occupational therapy assistant | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 97 | Rehabilitative services: when a service or procedure that may be either habilitative or rehabilitative in nature is provided for rehabilitative purposes, the physician or other qualified health care professional may add modifier 97 to the service or procedure code to indicate that the service or procedure provided was a rehabilitative service. rehabilitative services help an individual keep, get back, or improve skills and functioning for daily living that have been lost or impaired because the individual was sick, hurt, or disabled. | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 77 | Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 25 | Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59. | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 55 | Postoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the postoperative management and another performed the surgical procedure, the postoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 55 to the usual procedure number. | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 95 | Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system. | F2 | Left hand, third digit | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | Q5 | Service furnished under a reciprocal billing arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | U5 | Medicaid level of care 5, as defined by each state | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner |
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| 2009-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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