Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

Trying to figure out how to bill TENS unit instruction for your outpatient Part B patients? There are two possible codes that could be used, says physical therapist Rick Gawenda of Gawenda Seminars & Consulting Inc. The first is CPT® code 97032 (Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; electrical stimulation (manual), each 15 minutes). This is the most common code to use as the vast majority of insurance carriers reimburse for this code under an occupational or physical therapy plan of care.

The second option is CPT® code 64550 (Application of surface (transcutaneous) neurostimulator). This code is not recognized by all insurance carriers if billed under an occupational or PT plan of care. CPT® code 64550 is also a service-based CPT® code and can only be billed as 1 unit regardless of the amount of time spent providing the TENS unit instruction, Gawenda says.

Services included in a TENS unit instruction would be teaching the patient how and where to place the electrodes on their body, how to connect the lead wires to the electrodes, how to turn the TENS unit on and off, the wearing schedule of the TENS unit, and teaching the patient how to inspect their skin for adverse reactions to the TENS unit.