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Acupuncture billing
Billing for acupuncture practices and integrative clinics: initial, additional 15-minute codes, electrical stimulation codes and more.
How acupuncture billing works
Acupuncture is billed in 15-minute increments of personal one-on-one contact, with separate codes for the initial and each additional increment, with or without electrical stimulation.
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Medicare covers acupuncture only for chronic low back pain: up to 12 visits in 90 days, with 8 more if the patient improves, and no more than 20 treatments a year. Licensed acupuncturists bill Medicare only under supervision rules.
Codes we bill every day
| Code | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 97810 | Acupuncture without electrical stimulation, initial 15 minutes |
| 97811 | Without electrical stimulation, each additional 15 minutes |
| 97813 | With electrical stimulation, initial 15 minutes |
| 97814 | With electrical stimulation, each additional 15 minutes |
Code descriptions are summarized. Payer coverage and documentation rules vary by plan and state.
Denials we prevent
- Initial code billed more than once per day
- Medicare claims for conditions other than chronic low back pain
- Acupuncture excluded under the plan
- Visit limits exceeded
- E/M billed the same day without a separate, documented service
Questions about acupuncture billing
Do many commercial plans cover acupuncture?
Coverage varies a lot by plan. We verify benefits and visit limits before the first visit.
Related specialties and services
Get a free acupuncture billing audit
Send a few details and we will set up a short call to review your claims, denials and A/R. No cost and no commitment.
We sign a Business Associate Agreement before we handle any patient data.