Question
Are visits when a Chiropractor just uses a spinal decompression table billable to insurance? If so, what code is recommended?
Answer
There is a code to describe this service, it is S9090 - Vertebral axial decompression, per session. Some payers will cover this service and some do not. It should also be noted that some payers also allow 97012 to be used to report decompression. The best way to handle this is to review the payers policy before using 97012 because there have been reported cases where the provider had to return money for billing 97012 because the payer did not allow it for that service.
Coverage varies widely so there is no substitute for reviewing the individual payer policy to ensure that you are reporting the service properly.
