What this is, in plain language
Hands-on physical therapy — the therapist uses their hands to mobilize joints and soft tissue, billed in 15-minute units.
Why a clinician orders it
Stiff joints, muscle tightness, or pain that responds to hands-on treatment as part of a therapy plan.
Medical necessity — what insurers usually look at
Covered as part of an active therapy plan with functional goals. Insurers may question plans that rely only on passive treatments without active exercise.
New to this? Read what medical necessity means and how to appeal a denial.
Documentation to ask about
- ✓Functional goals and progress notes
- ✓Active exercise component in the plan
- ✓Visit count vs. plan limits
Questions for your provider
- ?How many visits does my plan allow?
- ?What active exercises should I be doing alongside hands-on treatment?
Why this code is in our seed set
High-volume PT code in the CMS Top 200 Ranked by Services.
Validated against
- •CMS Top 200 Level I CPT Codes Ranked by Services
- •APTA coding guidance
- •AMA CPT code 97140 descriptor
Terms you'll see
Medical NecessityRead more →
The insurer is reviewing whether the service is clinically appropriate for your situation.
Important: AuraCode is an educational tool. It does not provide medical, legal, or insurance advice, claims decisions, or approval guarantees. Final coverage depends on your specific plan, eligibility, diagnosis, submitted documentation, and your insurer's review.