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Iontophoresis is a therapeutic technique that employs electrical current to facilitate the transdermal delivery of ionic substances into the tissues. This method is particularly effective for treating a variety of medical conditions by utilizing a therapeutic solution that contains ions. The procedure involves the application of electrodes, which are placed on the skin over the area being treated. These electrodes carry the same electrical charge as the ions in the therapeutic solution, allowing for the repulsion of these ions through the skin. Specifically, a positive electrode, known as the anode, is used to repel positively charged ions, while a negative electrode, referred to as the cathode, repels negatively charged ions. This process enables the ions to penetrate the skin and reach deeper tissues, where they can exert their therapeutic effects. The electrical currents used in iontophoresis are mild and are generated by a control unit that regulates the flow for a specified duration, ensuring that the treatment is both effective and safe. Iontophoresis can be utilized to deliver various medications tailored to specific conditions, including salicylates for alleviating muscle and joint pain, magnesium sulfate for addressing muscle spasms and myositis, iodine for treating adhesive capsulitis, hydrocortisone and dexamethasone for reducing inflammation, calcium chloride for muscle spasms and hyperexcitable peripheral nerves, and acetic acid for managing calcific tendonitis. Additionally, for patients suffering from hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet, a specialized tray filled with water can be employed, with electrodes submerged to facilitate treatment. It is important to note that iontophoresis is classified as a physical therapy modality that necessitates constant attendance, requiring direct, one-on-one contact between the therapist and the patient throughout the procedure.
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The procedure of iontophoresis is indicated for a variety of conditions that benefit from the transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents. The following are specific indications for which iontophoresis may be performed:
The iontophoresis procedure involves several key steps to ensure effective treatment. The first step is the preparation of the therapeutic solution, which contains the ionic medication intended for delivery. Once the solution is ready, the therapist will select the appropriate electrodes based on the treatment area and the specific ions being used. The next step involves placing the electrodes on the skin over the targeted area, ensuring that they are positioned correctly to facilitate optimal ion transfer. After the electrodes are in place, the control unit is activated to generate a mild electrical current. This current is carefully regulated and set for a predetermined duration, typically in 15-minute increments, depending on the treatment plan. The electrical current causes the ions in the therapeutic solution to be repelled through the skin, allowing for absorption into the underlying tissues. Throughout the procedure, the therapist maintains direct contact with the patient, monitoring their comfort and the effectiveness of the treatment. Once the prescribed time has elapsed, the electrodes are removed, and the treatment area may be assessed for any immediate effects or reactions.
After the iontophoresis procedure, patients may be advised to rest the treated area to allow for optimal absorption of the medication. It is common for patients to experience some mild redness or irritation at the site of electrode placement, which typically resolves quickly. The therapist may provide specific post-procedure care instructions, including recommendations for follow-up treatments or additional therapies that may enhance the overall effectiveness of the iontophoresis. Patients are encouraged to report any unusual symptoms or prolonged discomfort following the procedure. Regular follow-up appointments may be scheduled to monitor progress and adjust treatment plans as necessary.
| Short Descr | APP MDLTY 1+IONTPHRSIS EA 15 | Medium Descr | APPL MODALITY 1+ AREAS IONTOPHORESIS EA 15 MIN | Long Descr | Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; iontophoresis, each 15 minutes | 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 | 4 | CCS Clinical Classification | 213 - Physical therapy exercises, manipulation, and other procedures |
| GP | Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care | 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 | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | 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 | 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 | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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. | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 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. | 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). | 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. | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | 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. | 96 | Habilitative services: when a service or procedure that may be either habilitative or rehabilitative in nature is provided for habilitative purposes, the physician or other qualified health care professional may add modifier 96 to the service or procedure code to indicate that the service or procedure provided was a habilitative service. habilitative services help an individual learn skills and functioning for daily living that the individual has not yet developed, and then keep and/or improve those learned skills. habilitative services also help an individual keep, learn, or improve skills and functioning for daily living. | AT | Acute treatment (this modifier should be used when reporting service 98940, 98941, 98942) | CA | Procedure payable only in the inpatient setting when performed emergently on an outpatient who expires prior to admission | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | F6 | Right hand, second digit | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | 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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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2010-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1995-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1995. |
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