2025 CPT code 97010
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Supervised Modalities - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine Feed
Application of hot or cold packs to one or more areas.
This code does not typically require modifiers, as it is reported once per visit.
Medical necessity must be established for the use of hot or cold packs.This can be demonstrated by documenting the patient's diagnosis, symptoms, and the expected therapeutic benefit of the modality. The documentation should support the use of hot or cold packs as a medically necessary treatment for the patient's condition.
The provider is responsible for selecting the appropriate modality (hot or cold pack), preparing the pack for application, applying the pack to the correct area(s) of the body, and monitoring the patient's response to treatment.The provider does not need to be in constant attendance during the application but must be available for supervision.
In simple words: A healthcare professional applies hot or cold packs to one or more areas of your body to treat an injury or condition.Hot packs can help relax muscles and reduce pain, while cold packs can reduce swelling and inflammation.The healthcare professional will monitor the application, but they do not need to be present for the entire duration.
This code represents the application of a modality (hot or cold packs) to one or more areas of the body. It is a supervised modality, meaning it does not require direct one-on-one contact with the provider.The provider applies the hot or cold packs, which may be wrapped in towels or other materials. Hot packs can relax muscles, decrease pain, and increase circulation. Cold packs can decrease inflammation, pain, and swelling.
Example 1: A patient presents with acute low back pain following a lifting injury. The provider applies cold packs to the affected area to reduce inflammation and pain., A patient with chronic osteoarthritis of the knee experiences a flare-up of pain and stiffness. The provider applies hot packs to the knee to relax muscles and reduce pain., A patient recovering from shoulder surgery experiences muscle spasms and pain. The provider alternates between hot and cold packs to address both muscle relaxation and inflammation.
Documentation should include the area(s) of the body treated, the type of modality used (hot or cold pack), the duration of the application, and the patient's response to treatment. Any specific instructions or precautions should also be documented.
- Revenue Code: P6C (MINOR PROCEDURES - OTHER)
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Sports Medicine, Physiatry (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Skilled Nursing Facility, Inpatient Hospital, and other places of service where physical medicine services are provided.