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CPT 97140: Manual Therapy, Physical Therapy
CPT code 97140 represents manual therapy performed by licensed therapists to address soft tissue and joint dysfunction. Manual therapy techniques—hands-on mobilization, manipulation, and soft tissue work—are commonly used to reduce pain, improve joint and soft tissue mobility, enhance lymphatic drainage, and support tissue healing. The code is widely used across outpatient and rehabilitation settings and is relevant to musculoskeletal complaints such as low back pain, knee pain, cervicalgia, and fibromyalgia.
Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of clinical indications and typical sites of service, comparisons to closely related therapy procedure codes, and a summary of common billing considerations. The publication also highlights which clinical diagnoses commonly map to this service and identifies associated therapy taxonomies.
This summary provides national-level context for providers, billing staff, and policy analysts seeking a clear definition of CPT code 97140, its clinical role in rehabilitation care, and the payer landscape that typically governs coverage and claim adjudication. Data not available in the input is indicated where applicable.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 97140 describes manual therapy, a physical therapy technique that uses controlled hand movements and pressure to treat soft tissue and joint disorders. The procedure focuses on improving joint mobility, alignment, tissue repair, lymphatic drainage, and traction to reduce pain and restore function.
Service type: Physical therapy — manual therapy techniques
Typical site of service: Outpatient physical therapy clinic or rehabilitation setting; may also be delivered in inpatient rehabilitation or hospital-based therapy areas depending on clinical context.
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Medicare’s mean rate of $28.7 for CPT 97140 sits substantially below the BUCA average commercial mean of $60.3, reflecting a roughly $31.6 gap that highlights the standard public payor compression versus commercial reimbursement. That gap underscores why comparisons to a commercial benchmark like BUCA are useful when assessing net revenue expectations across payers.
Dispersion measured by the interquartile range (P75–P25) varies meaningfully: Blue Cross Blue Shield shows a tight spread of $30.0 (P75 $85.5 minus P25 $54.0), while UnitedHealth Group has a narrower IQR of $12.7 (P75 $36.6 minus P25 $24.9). The widest dispersion appears with Cigna at $47.3 (P75 $77.2 minus P25 $29.9) and Aetna at $45.8 (P75 $71.9 minus P25 $23.1), indicating greater variability in mid-range commercial reimbursement.