Name of Manual - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Coding Policies and Guidelines (Chiropractic)
Coding Overview Chiropractors should use CPT codes when billing for services.
Providers should submit the code that most accurately identifies
the service(s) performed, paying close attention to the attended
versus unattended procedures (for example, 97032 versus 97014).
The fact that a code exists does not guarantee the service is
covered for all Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota members.
The member's health coverage contract defines the services that
are eligible for payment.
Examination Codes An examination includes inspection of the patient and review of
diagnostic tests to diagnose disease or evaluate progress. Use of
the E/M codes must be supported within your medical record.
11-2
Per CPT, "Chiropractic manipulative treatment codes (98940-
98943) include a pre-manipulation patient assessment. Additional
E/M services may be reported separately using the modifier -25, if
the patient's condition requires a significant, separately identifiable
E/M service, above and beyond the usual pre-service and postservice
work associated with the procedure."
It would be inappropriate to bill 99214, 99215, 99204 or 99205
along with manipulative treatment codes. These will be rejected as
provider liability. Because a level 4 or 5 would require significant
additional work, it would seldom be appropriate to bill both.
Documentation in the patient’s record must support the additional
E/M service.
As noted by the Minnesota Chiropractic Association, an E/M
would be appropriate for the following situations:
New Patient
A new patient is one who has not received any professional
services from the chiropractor or another chiropractor in the same
group practice within the past three years.
Established Patient – New Injury or Exacerbation
The E/M is needed to obtain history and fully evaluate the patient's
condition for an initial treatment plan or, in the event of an
exacerbation, modify a previous treatment plan.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Provider Policy and Procedure Manual (03/06/12)