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CPT 97610: Low‑Frequency Ultrasound Therapy for Wound Healing

CPT code 97610 designates provider‑administered low‑frequency ultrasound therapy intended to promote wound healing. The service is used in wound care management for patients with chronic or nonhealing wounds and is clinically significant because it represents a noninvasive adjunctive therapy aimed at reducing healing time and complications. Nationally, uptake is shaped by payer coverage policies, evidence standards for efficacy, and site‑of‑service patterns.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of coverage considerations and common claim practices for these payers, benchmark utilization notes where available, and the clinical context in which the therapy is applied. The publication outlines how the procedure is billed, typical settings of care, and operational aspects relevant to revenue cycle teams and clinicians managing wound services.

This analysis provides practical reference material: a clinical description of the service, typical sites of care, payer coverage landscape, and topics for further policy review. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 97610 describes the use of a low‑frequency ultrasound device applied by a provider to promote wound healing. The procedure is a therapeutic wound treatment that uses mechanical energy from low‑frequency ultrasound to debride, stimulate tissue, and enhance healing in chronic or acute wounds.

Service type: Therapeutic wound care using low‑frequency ultrasound
Typical site of service: Outpatient wound care clinic, physician office, or outpatient hospital setting

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CPT 97610: Low‑Frequency Ultrasound Therapy for Wound Healing

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Therapeutic wound care using low‑frequency ultrasound
Typical site of service: Outpatient wound care clinic, physician office, or outpatient hospital setting

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult with a chronic, nonhealing lower-extremity wound such as a diabetic foot ulcer or venous stasis ulcer that has failed standard care (debridement, infection control, offloading/compression, and advanced dressings) over a period of weeks to months. The provider evaluates the wound in the outpatient wound clinic or skilled nursing facility, documents wound size, depth, presence of necrotic tissue, exudate, surrounding skin condition, and prior treatments. After confirmation that the wound is appropriate for adjunctive therapy, the clinician uses a low-frequency therapeutic ultrasound device applied directly to the wound bed and periwound tissues to attempt to promote healing. Typical workflow: wound assessment and measurement, wound cleansing and selective debridement as needed, documentation of indications and prior therapies, selection of 97610 for low-frequency ultrasound treatment, application of the device per manufacturer instructions, post-treatment dressing, and scheduling of follow-up visits to monitor response. Typical sites of service are outpatient wound clinics, physician offices, hospital outpatient departments, and skilled nursing facilities. The patient is often seen serially (multiple sessions over days to weeks) with progress notes documenting changes in wound dimensions and response to therapy.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`11`	Prime physician modifier (usually default)	Use when the treating physician is performing and reporting the service as their usual professional work.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required to provide `97610` is substantially greater than normally required and documentation supports increased work.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the service provided is partially reduced or not completed and documentation supports reduction.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when `97610` is started but discontinued due to patient condition or other circumstances; document reason.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when `97610` is separate and distinct from other procedures performed on the same day (supports reporting with other wound procedures).
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons during complex wound management requiring ultrasound therapy.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same provider	Data not provided in input; not listed per strict rules.
`78`	Return to operating room following initial procedure	Use when return to OR occurs related to wound care and `97610` is part of the intra- or postoperative plan (rare).
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon performs a substantive role during surgical wound management where `97610` is billed as part of adjunctive therapy.
`81`	Minimum assistant surgeon	Use when a minimal assistance role is provided; applies when assistant billing is appropriate.
`82`	Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident unavailable)	Use when an assistant surgeon is necessary and a qualified resident is not available.
`KX`	Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met	Use when payer-required documentation criteria for medical necessity for `97610` are met.
`QX`	Ordering physician attests to coverage criteria (modifier for DME)	Data not applicable to device billing but included in payer lists; use only if applicable to payer policy.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing entity reports only the technical component of the service (rare for `97610` but included for completeness).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207L00000X`	Wound Care Specialist	Providers focused on wound management in outpatient clinics.
`208600000X`	General Surgery	Surgeons who manage complex wounds and may incorporate adjunctive therapies.
`207R00000X`	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	PM&R clinicians using adjunctive modalities for wound healing and functional recovery.
`207Q00000X`	Family Medicine	Primary care clinicians managing chronic wounds in office or outpatient settings.
`3336A0`	Vascular Surgery (approximate taxonomy)	Vascular surgeons treating ischemic wounds; use appropriate vascular surgery taxonomy code per payer.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`E11.621`	Type 2 diabetes mellitus with foot ulcer	Common indication for adjunctive low-frequency ultrasound to promote healing of diabetic foot ulcers.
`I83.019`	Varicose veins of unspecified lower extremity with ulcer, unspecified site	Venous stasis ulcers frequently receive adjunctive modalities like `97610` alongside compression therapy.
`L97.429`	Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left lower leg with unspecified severity	Peripheral chronic ulcers are typical targets for low-frequency ultrasound to stimulate healing.
`L97.919`	Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of unspecified lower leg with unspecified severity	General lower-extremity chronic ulcers that have failed standard care may be treated with `97610`.
`M86.271`	Chronic osteomyelitis, right tibia and fibula	When bone infection complicates a wound, adjunctive therapies may be applied as part of a multidisciplinary plan; careful documentation required.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`97597`	Debridement (first 20 sq cm) of wound, selective debridement, without anesthesia	Often performed prior to `97610` to remove necrotic tissue and optimize the wound bed for ultrasound therapy.
`11042`	Debridement, muscle and/or fascia (first 20 sq cm)	Surgical debridement codes used when deeper necrotic tissue requires operative management before adjunctive ultrasound.
`29581`	Application of multi-layer compression bandage (unilateral)	Compression therapy is commonly performed before/after `97610` for venous stasis ulcers as part of standard wound care.
`97530`	Therapeutic activities, direct (one-on-one) patient contact by the provider	May be billed by therapists addressing functional deficits and wound-related mobility or offloading in conjunction with `97610` sessions.
`99070`	Supplies and materials (unlisted)	Used to bill nonstandard supplies or disposable items associated with the ultrasound device when payer allows.

CPT 97597: Selective Debridement of Devitalized Tissue, Wound ≤20 cm2

CPT-97598-ADDITIONAL-SELECTIVE-WOUND-DEBRIDEMENT-20CM2

CPT 97598: Selective Excision of Devitalized Tissue, Additional 20 cm2

CPT-97602-NON-SELECTIVE-WOUND-DEBRIDEMENT

CPT 97602: Non-selective Wound Debridement

CPT-97605-NEGATIVE-PRESSURE-WOUND-THERAPY-SMALL-WOUND

CPT 97605: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Small Wounds

CPT-97606-NEGATIVE-PRESSURE-WOUND-THERAPY-LARGE-WOUND

CPT 97606: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Large Wounds

CPT-97607-NEGATIVE-PRESSURE-WOUND-THERAPY-SMALL-WOUNDS

CPT 97607: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Small Wounds

CPT-97608-NEGATIVE-PRESSURE-WOUND-THERAPY-DISPOSABLE-NPWT-OVER-50CM2

CPT 97608: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Wounds >50 cm2

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`11`	Prime physician modifier (usually default)	Use when the treating physician is performing and reporting the service as their usual professional work.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work required to provide `97610` is substantially greater than normally required and documentation supports increased work.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the service provided is partially reduced or not completed and documentation supports reduction.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when `97610` is started but discontinued due to patient condition or other circumstances; document reason.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when `97610` is separate and distinct from other procedures performed on the same day (supports reporting with other wound procedures).
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons during complex wound management requiring ultrasound therapy.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same provider	Data not provided in input; not listed per strict rules.
`78`	Return to operating room following initial procedure	Use when return to OR occurs related to wound care and `97610` is part of the intra- or postoperative plan (rare).
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon performs a substantive role during surgical wound management where `97610` is billed as part of adjunctive therapy.
`81`	Minimum assistant surgeon	Use when a minimal assistance role is provided; applies when assistant billing is appropriate.
`82`	Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident unavailable)	Use when an assistant surgeon is necessary and a qualified resident is not available.
`KX`	Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met	Use when payer-required documentation criteria for medical necessity for `97610` are met.
`QX`	Ordering physician attests to coverage criteria (modifier for DME)	Data not applicable to device billing but included in payer lists; use only if applicable to payer policy.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing entity reports only the technical component of the service (rare for `97610` but included for completeness).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207L00000X`	Wound Care Specialist	Providers focused on wound management in outpatient clinics.
`208600000X`	General Surgery	Surgeons who manage complex wounds and may incorporate adjunctive therapies.
`207R00000X`	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	PM&R clinicians using adjunctive modalities for wound healing and functional recovery.
`207Q00000X`	Family Medicine	Primary care clinicians managing chronic wounds in office or outpatient settings.
`3336A0`	Vascular Surgery (approximate taxonomy)	Vascular surgeons treating ischemic wounds; use appropriate vascular surgery taxonomy code per payer.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`E11.621`	Type 2 diabetes mellitus with foot ulcer	Common indication for adjunctive low-frequency ultrasound to promote healing of diabetic foot ulcers.
`I83.019`	Varicose veins of unspecified lower extremity with ulcer, unspecified site	Venous stasis ulcers frequently receive adjunctive modalities like `97610` alongside compression therapy.
`L97.429`	Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left lower leg with unspecified severity	Peripheral chronic ulcers are typical targets for low-frequency ultrasound to stimulate healing.
`L97.919`	Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of unspecified lower leg with unspecified severity	General lower-extremity chronic ulcers that have failed standard care may be treated with `97610`.
`M86.271`	Chronic osteomyelitis, right tibia and fibula	When bone infection complicates a wound, adjunctive therapies may be applied as part of a multidisciplinary plan; careful documentation required.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`97597`	Debridement (first 20 sq cm) of wound, selective debridement, without anesthesia	Often performed prior to `97610` to remove necrotic tissue and optimize the wound bed for ultrasound therapy.
`11042`	Debridement, muscle and/or fascia (first 20 sq cm)	Surgical debridement codes used when deeper necrotic tissue requires operative management before adjunctive ultrasound.
`29581`	Application of multi-layer compression bandage (unilateral)	Compression therapy is commonly performed before/after `97610` for venous stasis ulcers as part of standard wound care.
`97530`	Therapeutic activities, direct (one-on-one) patient contact by the provider	May be billed by therapists addressing functional deficits and wound-related mobility or offloading in conjunction with `97610` sessions.
`99070`	Supplies and materials (unlisted)	Used to bill nonstandard supplies or disposable items associated with the ultrasound device when payer allows.

CPT 97597: Selective Debridement of Devitalized Tissue, Wound ≤20 cm2

CPT-97598-ADDITIONAL-SELECTIVE-WOUND-DEBRIDEMENT-20CM2

CPT 97598: Selective Excision of Devitalized Tissue, Additional 20 cm2

CPT-97602-NON-SELECTIVE-WOUND-DEBRIDEMENT

CPT 97602: Non-selective Wound Debridement

CPT-97605-NEGATIVE-PRESSURE-WOUND-THERAPY-SMALL-WOUND

CPT 97605: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Small Wounds

CPT-97606-NEGATIVE-PRESSURE-WOUND-THERAPY-LARGE-WOUND

CPT 97606: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Large Wounds

CPT-97607-NEGATIVE-PRESSURE-WOUND-THERAPY-SMALL-WOUNDS

CPT 97607: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Small Wounds

CPT-97608-NEGATIVE-PRESSURE-WOUND-THERAPY-DISPOSABLE-NPWT-OVER-50CM2

CPT 97608: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Wounds >50 cm2

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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CPT 97610: Low‑Frequency Ultrasound Therapy for Wound Healing

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Billing Code Overview

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CPT 97610: Low‑Frequency Ultrasound Therapy for Wound Healing

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 97610: Low‑Frequency Ultrasound Therapy for Wound Healing

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Billing Code Overview

CPT 97610: Low‑Frequency Ultrasound Therapy for Wound Healing

Sign up for cpt 97610 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What clinical service does CPT 97610 represent and where is it typically provided?

What clinical documentation is expected when billing 97610?

Which modifiers are relevant when reporting 97610 on a claim?

What other CPT codes are commonly associated with low‑frequency ultrasound wound therapy?

Which diagnoses and payers are commonly linked to use and coverage considerations for 97610?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What clinical service does CPT 97610 represent and where is it typically provided?

What clinical documentation is expected when billing 97610?

Which modifiers are relevant when reporting 97610 on a claim?

What other CPT codes are commonly associated with low‑frequency ultrasound wound therapy?

Which diagnoses and payers are commonly linked to use and coverage considerations for 97610?

References