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Official Description

Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); extraspinal, 1 or more regions

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT) is a therapeutic approach that involves the application of controlled, sudden force and twisting movements to the spine and extraspinal regions of the body. The primary goal of CMT is to relieve pressure on nerves, reduce inflammation, and enhance overall nerve function. This treatment modality can be utilized independently or in conjunction with various supportive therapies, including exercise regimens, lifestyle modifications, nutritional counseling, trigger point massage, electrical muscle stimulation, and ultrasound therapy. CMT is particularly beneficial for patients experiencing a range of conditions such as back and neck pain, headaches, fibromyalgia, sciatica, myofascial pain, spinal stenosis, and chest wall discomfort. The specific CPT® code 98943 is designated for CMT performed in one or more extraspinal regions, distinguishing it from other codes that pertain to spinal manipulations in different numbers of spinal regions. This code is essential for accurate medical coding and billing, ensuring that healthcare providers are appropriately reimbursed for the services rendered.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The indications for chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT) using CPT® code 98943 include a variety of symptoms and conditions that may benefit from manipulation of the extraspinal regions. These indications are as follows:

  • Back Pain Patients suffering from acute or chronic back pain may find relief through CMT, which aims to alleviate discomfort and improve mobility.
  • Neck Pain CMT can be effective for individuals experiencing neck pain, helping to reduce tension and enhance range of motion.
  • Headaches Certain types of headaches, particularly tension headaches, may respond positively to CMT, providing symptomatic relief.
  • Fibromyalgia Patients with fibromyalgia may experience a reduction in pain and improvement in overall function with the application of CMT.
  • Sciatica CMT may help alleviate symptoms associated with sciatica, including pain that radiates down the leg.
  • Myofascial Pain This treatment can address myofascial pain syndromes, targeting specific muscle groups and fascia to relieve discomfort.
  • Spinal Stenosis Individuals with spinal stenosis may benefit from CMT to help manage pain and improve mobility.
  • Chest Wall Discomfort CMT may also be indicated for patients experiencing discomfort in the chest wall, providing relief through manipulation of the surrounding structures.

2. Procedure

The procedure for chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT) as described by CPT® code 98943 involves several key steps that ensure effective treatment of the extraspinal regions. The following procedural steps are outlined:

  • Step 1: Patient Assessment The chiropractor begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's medical history and current symptoms. This evaluation helps to identify the specific areas requiring treatment and to determine the appropriateness of CMT for the patient's condition.
  • Step 2: Treatment Planning Based on the assessment, the chiropractor develops a tailored treatment plan that may include CMT along with other therapeutic modalities. The plan is designed to address the patient's unique needs and goals.
  • Step 3: Application of CMT The chiropractor applies controlled, sudden force to the identified extraspinal regions. This manipulation may involve twisting or thrusting movements aimed at restoring proper alignment and function to the affected areas.
  • Step 4: Monitoring Response After the manipulation, the chiropractor monitors the patient's response to the treatment. This may involve assessing changes in pain levels, mobility, and overall function.
  • Step 5: Follow-Up Care The chiropractor may recommend follow-up visits to continue treatment, monitor progress, and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. This ensures ongoing support for the patient's recovery and well-being.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT) using CPT® code 98943 typically involves recommendations for self-care and monitoring of symptoms. Patients may be advised to rest and avoid strenuous activities immediately following the treatment to allow the body to adjust. Additionally, the chiropractor may suggest specific exercises or stretches to enhance recovery and maintain the benefits of the manipulation. Patients are encouraged to communicate any changes in symptoms or concerns during follow-up visits, as this feedback is crucial for ongoing treatment and management of their condition. Overall, the expected recovery period may vary depending on the individual and the nature of their symptoms, but many patients report improvements in their condition following CMT.

Short Descr CHIROPRACT MANJ XTRSPINL 1/>
Medium Descr CHIROPRACTIC MANIPLTV TX EXTRASPINAL 1/> REGION
Long Descr Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); extraspinal, 1 or more regions
Status Code Non-Covered Service
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 9 - Not Applicable
Multiple Procedures (51) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Co-Surgeons (62) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Team Surgery (66) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Non-Covered Service, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 1 - Medical Care
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) O1B - Chiropractic
MUE 0
CCS Clinical Classification 163 - Other non-OR therapeutic procedures on musculoskeletal system
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
AT Acute treatment (this modifier should be used when reporting service 98940, 98941, 98942)
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.
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GP Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care
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).
GX Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main 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.
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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)
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.
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
27 Multiple outpatient hospital e/m encounters on the same date: for hospital outpatient reporting purposes, utilization of hospital resources related to separate and distinct e/m encounters performed in multiple outpatient hospital settings on the same date may be reported by adding modifier 27 to each appropriate level outpatient and/or emergency department e/m code(s). this modifier provides a means of reporting circumstances involving evaluation and management services provided by physician(s) in more than one (multiple) outpatient hospital setting(s) (eg, hospital emergency department, clinic). note: this modifier is not to be used for physician reporting of multiple e/m services performed by the same physician on the same date. for physician reporting of all outpatient evaluation and management services provided by the same physician on the same date and performed in multiple outpatient setting(s) (eg, hospital emergency department, clinic), see evaluation and management, emergency department, or preventive medicine services codes.
32 Mandated services: services related to mandated consultation and/or related services (eg, third party payer, governmental, legislative or regulatory requirement) may be identified by adding modifier 32 to the basic procedure.
57 Decision for surgery: an evaluation and management service that resulted in the initial decision to perform the surgery may be identified by adding modifier 57 to the appropriate level of e/m service.
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.
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.
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.
AG Primary physician
AK Non participating physician
AY Item or service furnished to an esrd patient that is not for the treatment of esrd
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
FT Unrelated evaluation and management (e/m) visit on the same day as another e/m visit or during a global procedure (preoperative, postoperative period, or on the same day as the procedure, as applicable). (report when an e/m visit is furnished within the global period but is unrelated, or when one or more additional e/m visits furnished on the same day are unrelated)
G1 Most recent urr reading of less than 60
G2 Most recent urr reading of 60 to 64.9
GB Claim being re-submitted for payment because it is no longer covered under a global payment demonstration
GF Non-physician (e.g. nurse practitioner (np), certified registered nurse anesthetist (crna), certified registered nurse (crn), clinical nurse specialist (cns), physician assistant (pa)) services in a critical access hospital
GN Services delivered under an outpatient speech language pathology plan of care
GO Services delivered under an outpatient occupational therapy plan of care
GT Via interactive audio and video telecommunication systems
GU Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, routine notice
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
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
ST Related to trauma or injury
SY Persons who are in close contact with member of high-risk population (use only with codes for immunization)
V1 Demonstration modifier 1
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Description Changed
2009-01-01 Changed Code description changed
1997-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1997.
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