In 2018, modifer 96 & 97 was introduced to medical coders. Coders use Modifier 96 and 97 as for Habilitative and Rehabilitative services. Below is the full description for these new modifiers. Also, CPT code 97129 (base code) and 97130 (add-on code) are time-based codes which have replaced CPT code 97127 and HCPCS G-code G0515.

97129 Therapeutic interventions that focus on cognitive function (eg, attention, memory, reasoning, executive function, problem solving, and/or pragmatic functioning) and compensatory strategies to manage the performance of an activity (eg, managing time or schedules, initiating, organizing, and sequencing tasks), direct (one-on-one) patient contact; initial 15 minutes

97130 each additional 15 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

(Report 97129 only once per day)

(Deleted)97127 Therapeutic interventions that focus on cognitive function (e.g., attention, memory, reasoning, executive function, problem solving, and/or pragmatic functioning) and compensatory strategies to manage the performance of an activity (e.g., managing time or schedules, initiating, organizing and sequencing tasks), direct (one-on-one) patient contact

Read also: New CPT codes for Telehealth Services for coders

Description of modifier 96 & 97

Modifier 96 Habilitative Services: When a service or procedure that may either be habilitative in nature or rehabilitative in nature is provided for habilitative purposes, the physician or other qualified healthcare professional may add modifier 96- to the service or procedure code to indicate that the service or procedure provided was habilitative. Such services help an individual learn skills and functioning for daily living that the individual has not yet developed, and then keep or improve those learned skills. Habilitative services also help an individual keep, learn, or improve skills and functioning for daily living.

Modifier 97 Rehabilitative Services: When a service or procedure that may be either habilitative or rehabilitative in nature is provided for rehabilitative purposes, the physician or other qualified healthcare professional may add modifier 97- to the service or procedure code to indicate that the service or procedure provided was rehabilitative. Rehabilitative services help an individual keep, get back, or improve skills and functioning for daily living that have been lost or impaired because the individual was sick, hurt, or disabled.

CPT code 97127 and HCPCS code G0515 are deleted, effective January 1, 2020.