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Official Description

Occupational therapy evaluation, low complexity, requiring these components:

  • An occupational profile and medical and therapy history, which includes a brief history including review of medical and/or therapy records relating to the presenting problem;
  • An assessment(s) that identifies 1-3 performance deficits (ie, relating to physical, cognitive, or psychosocial skills) that result in activity limitations and/or participation restrictions; and
  • Clinical decision making of low complexity, which includes an analysis of the occupational profile, analysis of data from problem-focused assessment(s), and consideration of a limited number of treatment options. Patient presents with no comorbidities that affect occupational performance. Modification of tasks or assistance (eg, physical or verbal) with assessment(s) is not necessary to enable completion of evaluation component.
Typically, 30 minutes are spent face-to-face with the patient and/or family.

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Occupational therapy evaluation, low complexity, is a structured assessment process designed to evaluate a patient's ability to perform daily activities and identify any performance deficits that may hinder their independence. This evaluation involves gathering an occupational profile and a comprehensive medical and therapy history, which includes a brief review of relevant medical records related to the presenting problem. The occupational therapist assesses the patient's physical, cognitive, and psychosocial skills to identify 1-3 specific performance deficits that result in limitations in activities or restrictions in participation. The clinical decision-making process during this evaluation is characterized as low complexity, meaning that the analysis of the occupational profile and the data from focused assessments is straightforward, with a limited number of treatment options considered. Importantly, the patient does not present with any comorbidities that would affect their occupational performance, and the evaluation can be completed without the need for modifications or assistance. Typically, this evaluation process involves approximately 30 minutes of face-to-face interaction with the patient and/or their family, ensuring a thorough understanding of the patient's needs and capabilities.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The occupational therapy evaluation, low complexity, is indicated for patients who require an assessment of their ability to perform daily activities and may be experiencing performance deficits. The following conditions or symptoms may warrant this evaluation:

  • Occupational Profile Assessment A comprehensive understanding of the patient's daily activities, roles, and routines is necessary to tailor the therapy effectively.
  • Medical and Therapy History Review A brief history that includes relevant medical and therapy records is essential to identify any underlying issues affecting the patient's performance.
  • Performance Deficits Identification of 1-3 specific deficits in physical, cognitive, or psychosocial skills that limit the patient's ability to engage in activities or participate in their environment.

2. Procedure

The procedure for conducting an occupational therapy evaluation of low complexity involves several key steps:

  • Step 1: Occupational Profile and History Gathering The occupational therapist begins by collecting an occupational profile, which includes a detailed medical and therapy history. This step involves reviewing the patient's medical records and any previous therapy documentation related to the presenting problem, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the patient's background and current status.
  • Step 2: Performance Deficit Assessment The therapist conducts assessments to identify 1-3 performance deficits. These deficits may relate to the patient's physical abilities, cognitive functions, or psychosocial skills. The assessment focuses on how these deficits impact the patient's ability to perform daily activities and participate in their community.
  • Step 3: Clinical Decision Making The occupational therapist engages in clinical decision-making of low complexity, which involves analyzing the occupational profile and the data obtained from the focused assessments. The therapist considers a limited number of treatment options based on the identified performance deficits, ensuring that the approach is tailored to the patient's specific needs.
  • Step 4: Face-to-Face Interaction Typically, the evaluation process includes approximately 30 minutes of face-to-face interaction with the patient and/or their family. This interaction is crucial for building rapport, understanding the patient's perspective, and discussing the findings of the evaluation.

3. Post-Procedure

After the occupational therapy evaluation, the therapist will document the findings and develop a treatment plan based on the identified performance deficits and the patient's needs. The plan may include recommendations for interventions, adaptive equipment, or further assessments if necessary. The therapist may also schedule follow-up appointments to monitor the patient's progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed. It is essential to consider any changes in the patient's condition or environment that may affect their occupational performance and to revise the plan of care accordingly.

Short Descr OT EVAL LOW COMPLEX 30 MIN
Medium Descr OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EVAL LOW COMPLEX 30 MINS
Long Descr Occupational therapy evaluation, low complexity, requiring these components: An occupational profile and medical and therapy history, which includes a brief history including review of medical and/or therapy records relating to the presenting problem; An assessment(s) that identifies 1-3 performance deficits (ie, relating to physical, cognitive, or psychosocial skills) that result in activity limitations and/or participation restrictions; and Clinical decision making of low complexity, which includes an analysis of the occupational profile, analysis of data from problem-focused assessment(s), and consideration of a limited number of treatment options. Patient presents with no comorbidities that affect occupational performance. Modification of tasks or assistance (eg, physical or verbal) with assessment(s) is not necessary to enable completion of evaluation component. Typically, 30 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
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.
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.
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.
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
CO Outpatient occupational therapy services furnished in whole or in part by an occupational therapy assistant
GT Via interactive audio and video telecommunication systems
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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
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.
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.
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.
A3 Dressing for three wounds
CA Procedure payable only in the inpatient setting when performed emergently on an outpatient who expires prior to admission
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
F2 Left hand, third digit
F6 Right hand, second digit
F7 Right hand, third digit
FQ The service was furnished using audio-only communication technology
G0 Telehealth services for diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment, of symptoms of an acute stroke
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GP Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
KK Dmepos item subject to dmepos competitive bidding program number 2
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
PN Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
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
U8 Medicaid level of care 8, as defined by each state
UC Medicaid level of care 12, as defined by each state
X2 Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services
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
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2017-01-01 Added Added
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