Office or Outpatient Setting for Full-Spine Chiropractic Treatment
CPT® code 98942 is used to report chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT) involving all five spinal regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and pelvic. This code represents a comprehensive spinal adjustment session in which a chiropractor manually treats each of these regions to improve joint mobility, reduce pain, and support optimal nervous system function.
When to Use CPT® Code 98942
Report 98942 when:
- The chiropractor provides manual manipulation to all five spinal regions during a single encounter.
- The treatment is medically necessary, addressing diagnosed subluxations or dysfunctions across the full spine.
- The service is directed at restoring alignment, improving range of motion, or reducing neuromusculoskeletal symptoms.
- Proper documentation identifies all five regions treated and the therapeutic rationale for each.
If fewer than five regions are treated, use 98940 (1–2 regions) or 98941 (3–4 regions) instead.
Documentation Requirements
Detailed documentation is required to justify the use of 98942, including:
- The specific spinal regions adjusted (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, pelvic)
- Objective findings such as subluxations, restricted motion, or muscle spasms
- The clinical rationale for treating each region
- The patient’s subjective complaints and treatment response
- Date of service, provider credentials, and signature
Many payers require diagnosis codes that correlate directly to the spinal regions treated, so accurate and region-specific charting is critical for reimbursement.
Billing Guidelines
- 98942 is a time-based, per-session code—it may only be reported once per encounter, regardless of the number of manipulations performed within those regions.
- Do not bill 98942 with other chiropractic manipulation codes (98940–98941) on the same date of service.
- Include any necessary modifiers if the service occurs alongside evaluation and management (E/M) visits.
- Reimbursement may vary depending on payer policies and the documented medical necessity for full-spine care.
Example
A chiropractor performs spinal adjustments on a patient with multi-regional dysfunction involving the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and pelvic areas. The session addresses pain, stiffness, and postural imbalance. The provider documents findings and treatment for all five regions and bills CPT® code 98942 for a full-spine chiropractic manipulation.
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Documenting full-spine adjustments shouldn’t be time-consuming. With OptiMantra, chiropractors can record findings, techniques, and outcomes for each spinal region using customizable chart templates built for CMT codes. The system links notes to billing, ensures proper code selection, and keeps records audit-ready—so you can focus more on patient care and less on paperwork.
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