March 3, 2016

Question:
We have added physical therapy to our office practice and have hired two physical therapists.  When the physician sees the patient to evaluate whether PT would be beneficial can he/she report 97001 for the physical therapy evaluation?

Answer:
The physician should not report 97001 but instead report an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service when evaluating the patient for physical therapy.  The E/M service could be a consultation, new or established patient visit (office setting) based on the intent of the visit.  Once a treatment plan is developed and the patient is referred to the physical therapist, the therapist will perform the evaluation and report 97001.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 03/03/16.