I receive many questions from speech-language pathologists (SLPs) on what CPT codes can be provided and reimbursed on the same date of service by the Medicare program. In this article, I will answer the following questions regarding what traditional Medicare will and will not reimburse on the same date of service when provided by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). Keep in mind that Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid and Managed Medicaid plans, and commercial insurers may or may not follow what traditional Medicare does and does not allow.

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