CPT 97140 covers manual therapy techniques (e.g., mobilization/manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, manual traction). It is heavily audited because it frequently triggers NCCI unbundling edits.
The Modifier 59 Trap
Medicare considers manual therapy (97140) and therapeutic exercises (97110) to be mutually exclusive if performed in the same 15-minute block.
To bill both on the same day, you must perform them in entirely separate, distinct 15-minute time blocks. If you meet this requirement, you must append Modifier 59 (or XE) to 97140.
Medical Necessity Documentation
Your documentation must clearly delineate the time. (e.g., "09:00-09:15: Manual joint mobilizations of the right shoulder. 09:15-09:30: Therapeutic theraband exercises for rotator cuff strength.")
NCCI Edits and Chiropractic (98940)
If a chiropractor bills a spinal manipulation (98940-98942) in a specific spinal region, they cannot bill 97140 in that same anatomic region on the same day, period. Modifier 59 will not save you here.