Through the efforts of its Health Policy and Advocacy Committee, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has updated many of its coding and documentation guidance resources in recent years with review and approval from the American Medical Association (AMA). That’s important to understand because AMA manages the CPT code development and valuation process with the assistance of representatives from across the healthcare spectrum – including doctors of chiropractic. As a result, members can feel confident that information shared in ACA’s guidance is timely and accurate.
In all, ACA members have access to more than 20 documents (listed below) on topics ranging from coding for manual therapy, Kinesiology tape, and mechanical traction to informational modifiers, dry needling, and diagnosis code updates.
These resources do more than support coding accuracy, explains Brandy Spaulding, DC, ACA vice president of health policy and education. “They also can help strengthen documentation, improve clarity in clinical reporting, and provide valuable support when communicating with payers,” she adds. “For practicing DCs, that makes ACA’s work in this space both highly technical and highly practical.”
The ACA white paper, “Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services on the Same Day as Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment,” is a good example. Using AMA resources, the E/M paper clarifies what is expected within clinical documentation to adequately support both CMT and a significant, separately identifiable E/M service. The white paper can be a powerful tool when used by doctors of chiropractic to document their clinical decisions and when defending their care to payers.
In addition, ACA has obtained expanded copyright on the E/M white paper from AMA. This means that, in addition to members having access, state associations can now work directly with their state’s ACA delegate to present the information to their members or take it with them into meetings with payers.
For more information on the E/M white paper, or any of the resources listed below, contact memberinfo@acatoday.org.
20+ Exclusive Member Resources
Below is a full list of coding guidance available to ACA members. Click here to access the guidance documents on the ACA website (member ID and password required).
ICD-10 Updates – NEW
Coding for Mechanical Traction, Spinal Decompression, and Roller Tables – NEW
Guidance on Selecting Low Back Pain Diagnosis Codes – NEW
Coding for Kinesiology Tape and Its Application – NEW
Coding for Manual Therapy (97140) – NEW
Prolonged Services w/o Face-to-Face – NEW
Informational Modifiers GP, GO, GN, 96, and 97 – NEW
Flexion Distraction Technique – NEW
Coding for Hot/Cold Packs – NEW
Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment
Office or Other Outpatient Consultations
Acupuncture Services
Cervical Pillow
Coding for Dry Hydrotherapy Modality
Coding for Office or Home TENS Unit
Interpretation of X-rays and Other Imaging Studies
Combined Use of 97012, 97110, and 97010
CPT® Procedure Code 97112, Neuromuscular Reeducation
Dry Needling
Procedure Code 97124
Timed Codes: Constant Attendance Modalities and Therapeutic Procedures
Massage Chairs
