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Official Description

Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT); 1-2 body regions involved

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

An osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a hands-on therapeutic approach that utilizes various techniques to address somatic dysfunction, which refers to impaired or altered function of the body's musculoskeletal system. This treatment modality is akin to methods used in physical therapy and chiropractic care, focusing on the manipulation of muscles, bones, and joints to restore balance and promote healing. OMT can be employed as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other medical interventions such as pharmacotherapy, surgical procedures, rehabilitation programs, patient education, dietary modifications, and exercise regimens. The overarching aim of OMT is to enhance the body's innate ability to heal itself by alleviating restrictions and blockages within the myofascial system. Specific techniques utilized in OMT include muscle energy, counter strain, high-velocity low-amplitude, myofascial release, and lymphatic pumping. The muscle energy technique involves the patient actively contracting their muscles against a counterforce provided by the practitioner, which helps to stretch and strengthen the muscles. The counter strain technique addresses inappropriate strain reflexes by applying gentle pressure in the opposite direction of the reflex, thereby reducing discomfort. High-velocity low-amplitude techniques involve delivering a quick, controlled force to a joint within its anatomical range of motion to release restrictions and improve mobility. Myofascial release is a soft tissue technique that employs palpation to identify and relax contracted muscles, facilitating increased blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. Lastly, lymphatic pumping involves the application of manual pressure to assist in the movement of lymph fluid through the lymphatic system, promoting overall health and wellness. The CPT® code 98925 specifically designates OMT performed on 1-2 body regions, while additional codes are available for treatments involving more body regions.

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1. Indications

The osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is indicated for various conditions that involve somatic dysfunction. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Musculoskeletal Pain Conditions such as back pain, neck pain, and joint pain that may benefit from manipulation to relieve discomfort and improve function.
  • Postural Issues Problems related to poor posture that can lead to musculoskeletal strain and discomfort.
  • Headaches Tension-type headaches and migraines that may be alleviated through manipulation of the cervical spine and associated musculature.
  • Sports Injuries Injuries sustained during physical activity that may require manipulation for recovery and rehabilitation.
  • Chronic Conditions Long-term conditions that affect mobility and quality of life, where OMT can provide symptomatic relief.

2. Procedure

The procedure for osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) involves several key steps that are performed by a qualified osteopathic physician. Each step is designed to address specific areas of dysfunction and promote healing through manual techniques.

  • Step 1: Patient Assessment The physician begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's medical history and current symptoms. This includes a physical examination to identify areas of somatic dysfunction and to determine the appropriate body regions for treatment.
  • Step 2: Treatment Planning Based on the assessment, the physician develops a tailored treatment plan that outlines the specific OMT techniques to be employed. This plan considers the patient's individual needs and the number of body regions involved.
  • Step 3: Application of Techniques The physician applies various OMT techniques, such as muscle energy, counter strain, high-velocity low-amplitude, myofascial release, and lymphatic pumping, to the identified body regions. Each technique is executed with precision to ensure safety and effectiveness.
  • Step 4: Monitoring Response Throughout the treatment, the physician monitors the patient's response to the manipulative techniques, making adjustments as necessary to optimize outcomes and ensure patient comfort.
  • Step 5: Post-Treatment Evaluation After the OMT session, the physician evaluates the patient's progress and discusses any immediate effects of the treatment. Recommendations for follow-up care or additional sessions may be provided based on the patient's response.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) may include recommendations for rest, hydration, and gentle stretching exercises to enhance recovery. Patients are often advised to monitor their symptoms and report any significant changes or discomfort to their physician. It is common for patients to experience some soreness in the treated areas, similar to the sensation felt after physical therapy. The physician may suggest follow-up appointments to assess progress and determine if additional OMT sessions are necessary. Overall, the goal of post-procedure care is to support the healing process and maintain the benefits achieved through OMT.

Short Descr OSTEOPATH MANJ 1-2 REGIONS
Medium Descr OSTEOPATHIC MANIPULATIVE TX 1-2 BODY REGIONS
Long Descr Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT); 1-2 body regions involved
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator STV-Packaged Codes
Type of Service (TOS) 1 - Medical Care
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 215 - Other physical therapy and rehabilitation
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.
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
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
GE This service has been performed by a resident without the presence of a teaching physician under the primary care exception
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
X2 Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
24 Unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during a postoperative period: the physician or other qualified health care professional may need to indicate that an evaluation and management service was performed during a postoperative period for a reason(s) unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 24 to the appropriate level of e/m 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.
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AT Acute treatment (this modifier should be used when reporting service 98940, 98941, 98942)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GO Services delivered under an outpatient occupational therapy plan of care
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
JZ Zero drug amount discarded/not administered to any patient
KS Glucose monitor supply for diabetic beneficiary not treated with insulin
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
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
SU Procedure performed in physician's office (to denote use of facility and equipment)
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Short Descriptor changed.
2009-01-01 Changed Code description changed
1994-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1994.
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