Podiatrist Billing for Physical Therapy

by  Christine Woolstenhulme, QMC QCC CMCS CPC CMRS
Mar 7th, 2019

It is not uncommon for a Podiatrist to offer Physical therapy as an ancillary service to help promote healing and convenience for their patients. If this is a part of your practice be sure you are aware of the rules and policies from your local MAC carrier and your payer policies on medical necessity, documentation, and reporting.  Physical Therapy can only be done as “incident to” physician services by someone formally trained in physical or occupational therapy.  Be sure you are aware of the Stark Law in your state: some states made physician-owned physical therapy illegal. 

There are other components that must be in place if you are able to bill for PT services, such as a plan of care with short- and long-term goals, objectives and specific modalities appropriate for the condition.

Podiatry Today has a great article on providing Physical therapy as an ancillary service.  

For more detailed information refer to the Medicare Claims Processing Manual Chapter 5 - Part B Outpatient Rehabilitation and CORF/OPT Services.