Can chiropractors bill insurances for modalities such as e-stim and "neuromuscular education"? I sent a patient with for physical therapy (with a script) who took it to a chiropractor. I got a note back stating that "she presented with a physical therapy script" and that she received the therapies listed above.
1) Why did they comment that they presented with a physical therapy script? Is that so that for the insurance companies to see?
2) Do insurances routinely cover e-stim and manipulation?
Thanks!
In short, yes, chiros perform, bill and get reimbursed for the various modalities like e-stim, ultrasound, etc. Of course, there is some variability based on the particular insurance plan a patient may have, but by and large these are covered services when performed by a chiro. Medicare is one large exception, as Medicare only pays DCs to perform spinal manipulation (98940, 98941 or 98942) and nothing else.
Over the years, I've only had a few patients present to my office with a PT script from an MD/DO. Most of these people had been established patients in my office previously, knew me, and trusted me. In all cases, the patient clearly understood that they were not in a PT office; in other words, they didn't mistakenly present to my office. If the order was for treatments I render, and the patient specifically wanted me to treat them, I would take them. If it was for something a PT office could handle better, I'd explain that to the patient and refer them to the right place. One example I recall off the top of my head was for a guy who wanted me to rehab his knee after a total knee replacement; I told him a PT office should handle his case and sent him on his way.
As to the DC in your example, I see no particular reason he mentioned "she presented with a physical therapy script". To my knowledge, this statement wouldn't benefit him from an insurance reimbursement standpoint. That patient's insurance either covers chiropractic services or it doesn't.
