How To Use CPT Code 97814

CPT 97814 describes the use of acupuncture with electrical stimulation for the treatment of various health conditions. This article will cover the official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 97814?

CPT 97814 can be used to describe the use of acupuncture with electrical stimulation for the treatment of various health conditions. This code is used when the provider spends additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with the patient, using electrical stimulation and re-insertion of needles.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 97814 is: ‘Acupuncture, 1 or more needles; with electrical stimulation, each additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with the patient, with re-insertion of needle(s) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)’

3. Procedure

1. The provider inserts thin, solid, metallic, fine, single-use needles into specific points on or in the skin.
2. The provider manipulates the needles by electrical stimulation to stimulate anatomical points.
3. The provider spends additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with the patient, adjusting and manipulating the needles and/or adjusting the electrical stimulation.
4. If necessary, the provider re-inserts the needle(s) during this additional time.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT 97814 services are those who require acupuncture with electrical stimulation for the treatment of pain, post-operative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting, stroke rehabilitation, asthma, addiction, and other health conditions. The provider must spend additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with the patient, using electrical stimulation and re-insertion of needles.

5. When to use CPT code 97814

CPT code 97814 should be used when the provider spends additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with the patient, using electrical stimulation and re-insertion of needles. This code should be used for each additional 15-minute increment of time spent on the treatment.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 97814, the provider must document the following information:

• The patient’s condition and the need for acupuncture with electrical stimulation
• The specific points on or in the skin where the needles were inserted
• The date and duration of the additional 15-minute increment of time
• Any adjustments or manipulations made to the needles or electrical stimulation
• If applicable, the re-insertion of needle(s)

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 97814, ensure that the provider spends additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with the patient, using electrical stimulation and re-insertion of needles. This code should not be reported with other acupuncture codes for the same 15-minute increment. If the patient’s condition requires additional services beyond the scope of the acupuncture treatment, an E/M service can be reported separately with modifier 25.

8. Historical information

CPT 97814 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2005. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A provider spending additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with a patient, using electrical stimulation and re-insertion of needles for the treatment of chronic pain.
2. A provider spending additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with a patient, using electrical stimulation and re-insertion of needles for the treatment of post-operative nausea and vomiting.
3. A provider spending additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with a patient, using electrical stimulation and re-insertion of needles for stroke rehabilitation.
4. A provider spending additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with a patient, using electrical stimulation and re-insertion of needles for the treatment of asthma.
5. A provider spending additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with a patient, using electrical stimulation and re-insertion of needles for the treatment of addiction.
6. A provider spending additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with a patient, using electrical stimulation and re-insertion of needles for the treatment of various health conditions.
7. A provider spending additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with a patient, using electrical stimulation and re-insertion of needles for the treatment of pain and nausea.
8. A provider spending additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with a patient, using electrical stimulation and re-insertion of needles for the treatment of stroke rehabilitation and asthma.
9. A provider spending additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with a patient, using electrical stimulation and re-insertion of needles for the treatment of addiction and chronic pain.
10. A provider spending additional 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with a patient, using electrical stimulation and re-insertion of needles for the treatment of various health conditions.