Next Event: 2026 Documentation for Evaluations and Reevaluations for PT, OT, and SLP
Date: March 19,2026
Unattended versus Manual Electrical Stimulation: What’s the Difference?
How do I know if I should bill for unattended or manual electrical stimulation? In this article, I will answer the following questions to help you make that decision:
Can Dry Needling Be Billed as Electrical Stimulation?
Since in calendar year 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has decided that the new 2 dry needling CPT codes are non-covered, physical therapists want to know if there are other CPT codes that could possibly be billed instead and be paid by the Medicare program and other insurance carriers if performing needle insertion. QuestionIf I provide electrical stimulation through the needles, can I bill for this as unattended electrical stimulation or manual electrical stimulation? AnswerThe simple and straightforward answer is For additional information on dry needling, read “Will CMS Pay for Dry Needling in 2020” and also