CPT Codes 97112 and 97110 have something in common – both codes represent "therapeutic procedures." When determining a particular therapeutic procedure to use, generally speaking the provider should code based on the desired outcome, not on the method of delivery (as with modalities). In other words, the provider should pay particular attention, when reviewing the definitions of therapeutic procedures, to the purposes associated with each code.

CPT Code 97112 is defined by the AMA as: "Therapeutic procedure, one or more areas, each 15 minutes; neuromuscular re-education of movement; balance; coordination; kinesthetic sense; posture; and proprioception." CPT Code 97112 (NMR) includes those therapies designed to re-train (i.e., "re-educate") a body part to perform some task that the body part was previously able to do. Examples of services often used for 97112 purposes include Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), Feldenkreis, Bobath, BAP's Boards, and desensitization techniques as listed by the AMA CPT Assistant.

By way of contrast, CPT 97110 (Therapeutic Exercise) is defined by the AMA as: "Therapeutic procedure, one or more areas, each 15 minutes; therapeutic exercises to develop strength and endurance, range of motion and flexibility." The AMA CPT Assistant also indicates that "[t]herapeutic exercise incorporates one parameter (strength, endurance, range of motion or flexibility) to one or more areas of the body. Examples include, treadmill (for endurance), isokinetic exercise (for range of motion), lumbar stabilization exercises (for flexibility), and gymnastic ball (for stretching or strengthening)" (emphasis added).

It is not uncommon for providers, when performing active stretching techniques with a patient, to do so for the purposes of improving flexibility and range of motion. In such instances, it would seem most appropriate to code the active stretching as CPT Code 97110.

From a reimbursement standpoint, the RVU's associated with 97112 and 97110 are fairly similar and therefore reimbursement for the services is within a dollar or two of each other.

Additionally, the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) does not identify CPT Code 97110 as a component code of, or mutually exclusive to, Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment or CMT (98940-98943).