2020 Annual Update to the Therapy Code List
The CPT Editorial Panel created, for CY 2020; CPT codes 97129 and 97130 to replace CPT code 97127, which CMS did not recognize. These new codes effectively replace HCPCS code G0515, which is deleted, effective January 1, 2020.
These codes are designated “sometimes therapy” to permit physicians, NPPs, and psychologists to furnish these services outside a therapy plan of care when appropriate. The CPT long descriptors for the two new “sometimes therapy” codes are:
• CPT code 97129 - Therapeutic interventions that focus on cognitive function (e.g., attention, memory, reasoning, executive function, problem solving, and/or pragmatic functioning) and compensatory strategies to manage the performance of an activity (e.g., managing time or schedules, initiating, organizing and sequencing tasks), direct (one-on-one) patient contact; initial 15 minutes
• CPT code 97130 - Therapeutic interventions that focus on cognitive function (eg, attention, memory, reasoning, executive function, problem solving, and/or pragmatic functioning) and compensatory strategies to manage the performance of an activity (e.g., managing time or schedules, initiating, organizing and sequencing tasks), direct (one-on-one) patient contact; each additional 15 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
The CPT Editorial Panel also deleted the following codes for manual muscle testing for CY 2020: CPT codes 95831, 95832, 95833, and 95834.
The functional limitation 42 HCPCS Level II G-codes are deleted for dates of service after December 31, 2019:
• HCPCS codes G8978 through G8999; G9158 through G9176; and G9186
These codes were used for Functional Reporting of therapy services for CY 2013 through 2018 but were retained for CY 2019 as discussed in the CY 2019 MPFS final rule at 83 FR 59661.
