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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesChiropractic Manipulative Treatment ProceduresCPT cpt-98942-spinal-manipulation-five-spinal-regions
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    CPT 98942: Spinal Manipulation, Five Spinal Regions

    Medicare pays $51 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 98942 describes a therapeutic service where the provider performs spinal manipulation across five spinal regions to influence joint mechanics and neurophysiological function; the service type is spinal manipulation therapy using manual techniques and adjunct modalities, and the typical site of service is outpatient clinic or private practice (chiropractic or physical medicine setting).

    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 male presents to an outpatient chiropractic clinic with three weeks of progressive low back pain radiating to the left buttock after a work-related bending injury. Examination shows restricted lumbar range of motion, segmental hypomobility in the lumbar and thoracic regions, and reproduction of pain with provocative spinal motion. Conservative measures (home exercise and NSAIDs) provided limited relief. The provider performs a spinal manipulation session addressing all five spinal regions using manual high-velocity, low-amplitude techniques and adjunct soft-tissue mobilization. Documentation includes time, regions treated (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, pelvic), objective findings (segmental restriction, muscle spasm), informed consent, pre- and post-treatment status, and safety checks. Typical workflow: patient intake and pain/function history, focused musculoskeletal and neurological exam, treatment decision documented, manipulation delivered, immediate reassessment and discharge instructions. Typical site of service is an outpatient office or ambulatory clinic specializing in musculoskeletal care; occasionally delivered in hospital outpatient departments or urgent care centers when indicated.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    98940Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); spinal, 1-2 regionsLower-level manipulation when fewer spinal regions are treated; used when documentation supports only 1–2 regions instead of five.
    98941Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); spinal, 3-4 regionsMid-level manipulation code when 3–4 spinal regions are treated during the session.
    97140Manual therapy techniques (eg, mobilization/manipulation), 1 or more regions, each 15 minutesUsed for soft tissue and joint mobilization techniques that may be provided in addition to or instead of a CMT service; may require modifiering for distinct services.
    99213Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, typically 15 minutesCommon E/M code for evaluation documented on same day; report with modifier 25 if separately identifiable from manipulation.
    97035Ultrasound therapy, each 15 minutesAdjunctive modality sometimes used before or after manipulation for pain control and tissue healing; report when documented and billed separately.

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    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…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    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…
    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…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    225100000X
    207RC0000X
    207LP4000X
    363LN0000X
    101YP1600X
    171R00000X
    1223S0112X
    251B00000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    22 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    G54.6Phantom limb syndrome with pain
    M25.50Pain in unspecified joint
    M43.16Spondylolisthesis, lumbar region
    M47.12Other spondylosis with myelopathy, cervical region
    M47.26Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbar region
    M48.02Spinal stenosis, cervical region
    M48.07Spinal stenosis, lumbosacral region
    M51.26Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region
    M51.27Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbosacral region
    M53.2X6Spinal instabilities, lumbar region

    Showing 1–10 of 22

    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-98940-SPINAL-MANIPULATION-ONE-TO-TWO-REGIONS

    CPT 98940: Spinal Manipulation, One to Two Spinal Regions

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

    CPT 98941: Spinal Manipulation, Three to Four 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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