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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesChiropractic Manipulative Treatment ProceduresCPT cpt-98940-spinal-manipulation-one-to-two-regions
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    CPT 98940: Spinal Manipulation, One to Two Spinal Regions

    Medicare pays $28 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 98940 describes provider-applied spinal manipulation to influence joint and neurophysiological function using manual techniques and modalities directed to one to two spinal regions; the service is performed as a hands-on therapeutic procedure typically in an outpatient clinic, physician office, or chiropractic setting and is billed as a procedure for musculoskeletal and neuromuscular care.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Members, Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policy, Autologous Platelet-Derived Growth Factors (Platelet-Rich Plasma [PRP]).

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 42-year-old patient presents to an outpatient musculoskeletal clinic with a 4-week history of mechanical low back pain radiating intermittently into the left buttock after a workplace lifting incident. Prior conservative care included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication and a single session of physical therapy with limited benefit. The evaluating clinician (a chiropractor or a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician) performs a focused history and musculoskeletal/neurologic exam, documents segmental hypomobility of the lumbar spine in one to two spinal regions, and determines spinal manipulation is clinically indicated to influence joint mechanics and neurophysiologic function.

    During the visit the provider obtains informed consent, documents the body regions treated (lumbar and sacral regions), the manipulation techniques used (high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust and soft tissue mobilization), objective findings (reduced range of motion, segmental tenderness, improved passive motion after treatment), and immediate post-procedure status. The encounter is billed as 98940 (manipulation of one to two spinal regions). Typical follow-up includes reassessment of pain, function, and need for additional manipulation, coordination with physical therapy if needed, and appropriate documentation of medical necessity for each subsequent visit.

    Typical site of service is an outpatient clinic such as a chiropractic office, private orthopedics or physiatry clinic, or ambulatory care center. The service type is a therapeutic manual therapy procedure (spinal manipulation).

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    97140Manual therapy techniques (eg, mobilization/manipulation), one or more regions, each 15 minutesOften performed before or after 98940 as part of non-thrust manual therapy sessions or as a separate billed physical therapy service when delivered by PTs.
    98941Chiropractic manipulative treatment, spinal, 3-4 regionsUsed when manipulation is applied to three to four spinal regions instead of one to two; select the code that matches the documented number of regions.
    98942Chiropractic manipulative treatment, spinal, 5 regionsUsed for manipulation involving all five spinal regions; not bundled with 98940 when appropriately documented.
    99213Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, low to moderate complexityCommon E/M code used same day when documentation supports a distinct E/M service; append 25 if billed same day as 98940.
    97010Hot or cold packsCommon adjunctive modality provided in the same visit to address pain/inflammation; check payer bundling rules.
    97110Therapeutic exercises to develop strength, endurance, range of motion and flexibilityOften provided in conjunction with manipulation as part of a conservative spine care plan and billed separately when delivered and documented by eligible providers.

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208D00000X
    111N00000X
    2084P0800X
    207X00000X
    163W00000X
    363LA2100X
    202D00000X
    261QR0207X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    G43.909Migraine, unspecified, not intractable, without status migrainosus
    M25.50Pain in unspecified joint
    M25.551Pain in right hip
    M43.16Spondylolisthesis, lumbar region
    M47.26Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbar region
    M47.816Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbar region
    M47.817Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
    M48.02Spinal stenosis, cervical region
    M50.20Other cervical disc displacement, unspecified cervical region
    M51.26Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Membersuniverahealthcare2027-01-01
    Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Autologous Platelet-Derived Growth Factors (Platelet-Rich Plasma [PRP])Cigna2026-10-15
    Metatarsophalangeal Joint ReplacementCigna2026-10-15
    Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Osteochondral Grafting of the Kneeuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Resurfacinguniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Fusion (arthrodesis) with decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-98941-SPINAL-MANIPULATION-THREE-TO-FOUR-REGIONS

    CPT 98941: Spinal Manipulation, Three to Four Regions

    CPT-98942-SPINAL-MANIPULATION-FIVE-SPINAL-REGIONS

    CPT 98942: Spinal Manipulation, Five Spinal Regions

    CPT-98943-EXTRASPINAL-MANIPULATION-NEUROMUSCULAR-MODULATION

    CPT 98943: Extraspinal Manipulation Techniques

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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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