CPT 97110 (Therapeutic exercises to develop strength and endurance, range of motion, and flexibility) is the bread-and-butter code of every physical therapy clinic.
Time-Based Billing
97110 is a direct, one-on-one, time-based code. You must bill it in 15-minute increments based on the Medicare 8-Minute Rule.
- 1 Unit: 8 to 22 minutes
- 2 Units: 23 to 37 minutes
The time must be spent in constant, direct attendance with the patient. You cannot bill 97110 if the patient is on a treadmill by themselves while you treat someone else.
Medical Necessity
Documentation must show the specific exercises performed (e.g., straight leg raises, theraband rows), the volume/reps, and how those exercises directly relate to the patient's functional goals.
NCCI Edits and Modifier 59
97110 is frequently bundled with Manual Therapy (97140). If you perform 15 minutes of manual therapy and 15 minutes of therapeutic exercise in distinct, separate blocks of time, you must append Modifier 59 to 97140 to get both paid.