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Diathermy is a therapeutic procedure that employs high-frequency electrical currents, specifically from shortwave, microwave, or ultrasound sources, to stimulate tissue molecules and produce heat beneath the skin's surface. This technique is designed to enhance the body's natural healing processes by increasing blood flow to the targeted area, which can lead to a reduction in inflammation, stiffness, and pain. The application of diathermy can improve flexibility in joints and connective tissues, making it a valuable treatment option for various musculoskeletal conditions. The electrical energy used in diathermy can be delivered in two primary ways: through electrodes that are placed directly on the skin or via a probe or applicator that beams energy to the desired area. This method of treatment is capable of penetrating tissues to a depth of approximately 2 inches, effectively reaching deeper structures without causing thermal injury to the skin. Diathermy is commonly indicated for conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains, strains, and sinusitis, providing relief and promoting recovery in affected areas.
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Diathermy is indicated for a variety of conditions that benefit from increased blood flow and reduced inflammation. The following are the explicitly provided indications for the use of diathermy:
The procedure for diathermy involves several key steps to ensure effective treatment. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the diathermy procedure, patients may experience immediate relief from pain and stiffness in the treated area. It is important for patients to follow any post-procedure care instructions provided by the clinician, which may include recommendations for rest, hydration, and gentle movement to maintain flexibility. Patients should be advised to monitor the treated area for any signs of adverse reactions, such as increased swelling or discomfort. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and to determine if additional sessions are necessary for optimal recovery.
| Short Descr | DIATHERMY EG MICROWAVE | Medium Descr | APPLICATION MODALITY 1/> AREAS DIATHERMY | Long Descr | Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; diathermy (eg, microwave) | 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 |
| GP | Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | 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 | CQ | Outpatient physical therapy services furnished in whole or in part by a physical therapist assistant | 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. | CO | Outpatient occupational therapy services furnished in whole or in part by an occupational therapy assistant | AT | Acute treatment (this modifier should be used when reporting service 98940, 98941, 98942) | 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). | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2009-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2006-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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