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Official Description

Re-evaluation of physical therapy established plan of care, requiring these components:

  • An examination including a review of history and use of standardized tests and measures is required; and
  • Revised plan of care using a standardized patient assessment instrument and/or measurable assessment of functional outcome
Typically, 20 minutes are spent face-to-face with the patient and/or family.

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 97164 refers to the re-evaluation of a physical therapy established plan of care. This procedure is essential for assessing the ongoing effectiveness of the treatment provided to the patient. During this re-evaluation, the physical therapist conducts a comprehensive examination that includes a thorough review of the patient's medical history and the application of standardized tests and measures. This process is crucial for understanding the patient's current condition, any changes that may have occurred since the initial evaluation, and the overall effectiveness of the treatment plan. The physical therapist will also utilize a standardized patient assessment instrument and/or measurable assessments of functional outcomes to revise the plan of care accordingly. Typically, this re-evaluation involves approximately 20 minutes of face-to-face interaction with the patient and/or their family, ensuring that all relevant information is gathered and that the patient’s needs are adequately addressed. The goal of this procedure is to ensure that the treatment remains aligned with the patient's evolving condition and to facilitate optimal recovery and functional improvement.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The re-evaluation of physical therapy established plan of care (CPT® Code 97164) is indicated for patients who require ongoing assessment of their physical therapy treatment. This procedure is typically performed when there are changes in the patient's condition, response to treatment, or when the initial treatment plan needs to be adjusted based on measurable outcomes. The following conditions may warrant a re-evaluation:

  • Change in Symptoms A significant alteration in the patient's symptoms, such as increased pain, decreased mobility, or new functional limitations.
  • Response to Treatment Evaluation of the patient's response to the current treatment plan, including improvements or lack thereof in functional outcomes.
  • Progress Monitoring Ongoing monitoring of the patient's progress to ensure that the treatment plan remains effective and relevant to their needs.
  • Plan Adjustment The necessity to revise the plan of care based on standardized assessments and the patient's current clinical presentation.

2. Procedure

The procedure for re-evaluation of physical therapy established plan of care involves several critical steps to ensure a comprehensive assessment of the patient's condition. The following steps outline the process:

  • Step 1: Examination The physical therapist begins with a detailed examination that includes a thorough review of the patient's medical history. This review encompasses the onset of symptoms, any comorbidities, and changes in the patient's condition since the last evaluation. The therapist also gathers information about previous treatments and medications that the patient has received.
  • Step 2: Standardized Testing Following the history review, the therapist employs standardized tests and measures to assess the patient's physical function. This may include tests for joint flexibility, muscle strength, general mobility, posture, core strength, and muscle tone. The therapist may also perform provocative maneuvers to identify movements that exacerbate symptoms or limit activity.
  • Step 3: Clinical Presentation Assessment After conducting the examination and standardized testing, the therapist evaluates the patient's clinical presentation characteristics. This assessment helps in understanding the patient's current condition and the impact of the symptoms on their daily activities.
  • Step 4: Plan of Care Development Based on the assessment findings, the physical therapist develops a revised plan of care. This plan is informed by clinical decision-making and measurable functional outcomes, ensuring that it is tailored to the patient's specific needs. The plan may include recommendations for physical therapy sessions in the clinic as well as exercises or modifications to the home environment.
  • Step 5: Documentation Finally, the therapist documents the findings from the re-evaluation, including the patient's response to treatment and any changes made to the plan of care. This documentation is essential for continuity of care and for future reference in the patient's treatment journey.

3. Post-Procedure

After the re-evaluation procedure is completed, the patient may be advised on the next steps in their treatment plan. This may include scheduling follow-up appointments for continued physical therapy sessions, implementing home exercises, or making lifestyle adjustments to support recovery. The therapist will monitor the patient's progress closely and may conduct further evaluations as needed to ensure that the treatment remains effective. It is important for the patient to communicate any changes in their condition or response to treatment during subsequent visits, as this information will be critical for ongoing care and adjustments to the plan of care.

Short Descr PT RE-EVAL EST PLAN CARE
Medium Descr PHYSICAL THERAPY RE-EVAL EST PLAN CARE 20 MINS
Long Descr Re-evaluation of physical therapy established plan of care, requiring these components: An examination including a review of history and use of standardized tests and measures is required; and Revised plan of care using a standardized patient assessment instrument and/or measurable assessment of functional outcome Typically, 20 minutes are spent face-to-face with the patient and/or family.
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) M5D - Specialist - other
MUE 1
GP Services delivered under an outpatient physical 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.
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
CQ Outpatient physical therapy services furnished in whole or in part by a physical therapist assistant
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.
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.
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.
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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
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
U5 Medicaid level of care 5, as defined by each state
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
24 Unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during a postoperative period: the physician or other qualified health care professional may need to indicate that an evaluation and management service was performed during a postoperative period for a reason(s) unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 24 to the appropriate level of 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).
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.
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.
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.)
93 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via telephone or other real-time interactive audio-only 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 away 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 is sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction.
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.
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CG Policy criteria applied
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
EX Expatriate beneficiary
GO Services delivered under an outpatient occupational therapy plan of care
GQ Via asynchronous telecommunications system
GT Via interactive audio and video telecommunication systems
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GX Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
KC Replacement of special power wheelchair interface
KK Dmepos item subject to dmepos competitive bidding program number 2
KS Glucose monitor supply for diabetic beneficiary not treated with insulin
KY Dmepos item subject to dmepos competitive bidding program number 5
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
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
UA Medicaid level of care 10, as defined by each state
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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2017-01-01 Added Added
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