8 Minute Rule

[Eyore]

Our PT works with geriatric patients. His time with the patient looks like this:
97035 Ultrasounds are usually 5-6 minutes (not 8 min)
97110 15 min
97140 15 min.

1) May I bill Ultrasound for less than 1 unit (.33)? Or
2) May I bill Ultrasound for 1 unit due to the fact that the other two (2) codes are way over 8 min? Or
3) Are all Ultrasounds non-billable at this clinic? 

All of his notes state Ultrasound for 5' or 6'

[Michele]

What I am reading is that "a therapist must provide direct treatment for at least eight minutes" to bill for a unit.  You cannot use minutes from another therapy for the ultrasound.  Make the therapist aware that you cannot bill for less than 8 minutes.  I'm not saying he/she should just do the treatment longer to get paid, but if they are aware that you must do 8 minutes to be billable they may wish to change the patient's treatment, if their condition calls for it. 

So based on below you would only bill the 97110 & 97140 for 1 unit each.

https://www.webpt.com/blog/post/8-minute-rule-what-it-and-how-it-works-webpt