How To Use CPT Code 93668

CPT 93668 describes the rehabilitation services provided to patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) to increase walking tolerance and reduce pain and swelling in the legs. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 93668?

CPT 93668 can be used to describe the rehabilitative physical exercise sessions supervised by a healthcare provider for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). These sessions aim to increase walking tolerance and alleviate pain and swelling in the legs caused by arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries in the peripheral vessels.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 93668 is: ‘Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) rehabilitation, per session.’

3. Procedure

1. During a rehabilitative physical exercise session, the healthcare provider supervises the patient as they walk on a motorized treadmill or a track.
2. The patient walks until they reach their symptom-limited claudication threshold, which typically occurs within 10 to 15 minutes of dynamic exercise.
3. The goal of the session is to increase the patient’s walking tolerance and reduce pain and swelling in the legs caused by peripheral arterial disease.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 93668 is applicable to patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) who require rehabilitation services to improve their walking tolerance and alleviate leg pain and swelling. The healthcare provider must supervise the exercise sessions, and the patient should experience claudication, which refers to difficulty walking due to leg pain or cramping during exercise.

5. When to use CPT code 93668

CPT code 93668 should be used when a healthcare provider supervises a rehabilitative physical exercise session for a patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) to increase their walking tolerance and reduce leg pain and swelling. This code is specific to each session provided to the patient.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 93668, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
• Details of the rehabilitative physical exercise session, including the date and duration
• Documentation of the patient’s walking tolerance and any improvements observed
• Any pain or swelling reduction experienced by the patient
• Signature of the healthcare provider supervising the session

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 93668, ensure that the healthcare provider supervises the rehabilitative physical exercise session for a patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). There are no specific guidelines regarding reporting CPT 93668 with other codes. However, it is important to follow any applicable bundling or unbundling rules and guidelines provided by the payer.

8. Historical information

CPT 93668 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2001. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A physical therapist supervising a rehabilitative exercise session for a patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) to improve their walking tolerance and reduce leg pain.
2. A nurse monitoring a patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) as they walk on a motorized treadmill to increase their walking tolerance and alleviate leg pain and swelling.
3. A physician overseeing a rehabilitative physical exercise session for a patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) to improve their ability to walk without experiencing pain or discomfort.
4. A cardiologist supervising a patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) during a track-based exercise session to increase their walking tolerance and reduce leg pain and swelling.
5. A physical therapist guiding a patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) through a rehabilitative exercise session to improve their overall mobility and reduce leg pain.
6. A nurse practitioner monitoring a patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) as they engage in a rehabilitative physical exercise session to increase their walking tolerance and alleviate leg pain and swelling.
7. A healthcare provider supervising a patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) during a treadmill-based exercise session to improve their walking tolerance and reduce leg pain and swelling.
8. A rehabilitation specialist overseeing a patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) as they participate in a track-based exercise session to increase their walking tolerance and alleviate leg pain and swelling.
9. A physical therapist guiding a patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) through a series of exercises aimed at improving their walking tolerance and reducing leg pain.
10. A healthcare provider monitoring a patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) as they engage in a rehabilitative physical exercise session to increase their walking tolerance and alleviate leg pain and swelling.