Basics of CPT code 97012

According to CPT, mechanical traction is described as the force used to create a degree of tension of soft tissues and/or to allow for separation between joint surfaces. The degree of traction is controlled through the amount of force (pounds) allowed, duration (time), and angle of pull (degrees) using mechanical means. Terms often used in describing pelvic/cervical traction are intermittent or static (describing the length of time traction is applied), or autotraction (use of the body’s own weight to create the force). Their are certain procedure codes for coding mechanical traction. CPT code 97012 is used for coding mechanical traction.

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Description for CPT code 97012

97012 Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; traction, mechanical

The health care provider applies sustained or intermittent mechanical traction most often to the cervical and/or lumbar spine but can be to any area. The mechanical force produces distraction between the vertebrae or joint thereby relieving pain and increasing tissue flexibility. The treatment requires supervision and typically only one unit is billed per day. However, when multiple separate treatment sessions are performed per day, it is appropriate to report one unit for each treatment session

Traction is generally used for joints, especially of the lumbar or cervical spine, with the expectation of relieving pain in or originating from those areas, or increasing the range of motion of the joint. 

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General information about CPT code 97012

                                                                                Global
Work RVU/Base Units:                                      0.25
Non Facility Practice Expense RVU:               0.17
Facility Practice Expense RVU:                        NA
Professional Liability Insurance RVU:           0.01
Non Facility Total RVU:                                    0.43
Facility Total RVU:                                             NA
Medicare Non Facility National Payment:    $14.57
Medicare Facility National Payment:             NA
Medicare Status*:                                               A
Medicare Policy Indicators*:                           A+ Mt

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Related Procedures for CPT code 97012

97010 Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; hot or cold packs

97014 Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; electrical stimulation (unattended)

97016 Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; vasopneumatic devices

97018 Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; paraffin bath

97022 Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; whirlpool

97024 Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; diathermy (eg, microwave)

97026 Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; infrared

97028 Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; ultraviolet

97035 Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; ultrasound, each 15 minutes

Example

If hot packs are placed on two areas, the knee and cervical spine, code 97010, Application of a modality to 1 or more areas; hot or cold packs, is reported once for the patient encounter, despite the fact that two hot packs were placed. If an ultrasound is provided to the upper trapezius and the left lateral quadriceps, CPT code 97035 should be reported once for that patient encounter unless the provider documents to support that the time to provide ultrasound to two areas of the body would support the reporting of more than one unit. Payer policy may dictate how time factors into reporting procedures that have a time descriptor.