Correct Coding:

THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE, THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY, NEURO RE-ED

Many activities could easily be billed as Therapeutic Exercise (97110), Therapeutic Activity (97530) or Neuromuscular Re-Ed.  Examples include stepping on/off a box, STS transfers, crossing midline activities, and many more. 

You do not choose the code by the activity that you perform; you choose the correct code by your intent… and your intent has to be included in the documentation.

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Here is an example. In a therapy session, the therapist selected and performed with a patient a dynamic standing activity with reaching. This could be coded as either Ther-Ex, Therapeutic Activity or Neuromuscular Re-Education.

The choice is dependent on "why" the activity was chosen which, when included, explains and justifies the procedure code selected.

	THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE	THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY	NEURO REED
DEFINITION	Therapeutic exercises target single parameters such as improving ROM, strength or endurance and can be active, active-assisted or passive.  Performed on dry land.	Dynamic movement to achieve a functional endpoint. Therapeutic activities cover a wide range of functional tasks like bending, lifting, catching, pushing, pulling, throwing, squatting etc	Neuromuscular reeducation of movement, balance, coordination, kinesthetic sense, posture, and/or proprioception for sitting and/or standing activities.
WHAT	Dynamic standing activity with patient reaching overhead and across midline 2 x 10	Dynamic standing activity with patient reaching overhead and across midline 2 x 10	Dynamic standing activity with patient reaching overhead and across midline 2 x 10
WHY	To work on upper body ROM and endurance	To assist patient in reaching her goal of simple meal preparation and accessing plates in upper cabinets	To improve functional balance and proprioception through dynamic standing activity
CODE	97110	97530	97112

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