New Occupational Therapy Evaluation and Re-Evaluation Codes (Effective January 1, 2017)
New occupational therapy CPT® evaluation and re-evaluation codes under the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation section of the CPT® Manual have replaced existing CPT® codes 97003 and 97004. Get member educational resources associated with proper use of the new evaluation codes below (more resources coming soon!).
Update: Thanks to AOTA advocacy, CMS is increasing the payment for CPT® OT evaluation codes, which will be applied retroactively to January 1, 2017.
I Need to Learn How to Use the New CPT® Codes!
Webcast: AOTA members can now download a free, pre-recorded webcast on the new evaluation codes. The educational webcast focuses on the new occupational therapy CPT® evaluation and reevaluation codes that go into effect January 1, 2017. The webcast is also available to non AOTA members for $24.95
Descriptors of new CPT® OT Evaluation Codes (pdf)
New Occupational Therapy Evaluation and Re-Evaluation Code Overview Article (pdf, modified as of January 9, 2017)
New Occupational Therapy Evaluation Codes (AMA, CPT® Assistant (Feb. 2017, Vol. 27, Issue 2)
Are You Using the New OT Evaluation Codes Correctly?
What are performance deficits in the new evaluation codes?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Correctly Choosing New Evaluation Codes
Information about NCCI edits, G-codes, using time as a guide, and more.
Download and print the AOTA Occupational Profile Template to use during your OT evaluations.
Terms and definitions in the new OT evaluation codes are grounded in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (3rd ed.; AOTA, 2014). The Framework is a foundational document for the practice of occupational therapy. The tables below will assist you in understanding the assessment of occupational performance and how to identify performance deficits as part of your analysis of occupations and related physical, cognitive and psychosocial skills.
OT Practice Framework - Table 1 (Occupations) (pdf)
OT Practice Framework - Table 2 (Client Factors) & Table 3 (Performance Skills) (pdf)
AOTA members can access the Framework free here
Are You A Pediatric OT?
Webcast: AOTA members can now access a free, pre-recorded webcast on the new evaluation codes for pediatric OTS. The educational webcast focuses on the new occupational therapy CPT® evaluation and reevaluation codes in pediatric practice. The webcast is also available to non AOTA members for $24.95.
Note: Please review the previously recorded webinar titled “The New Occupational Therapy Evaluation/ Re-evaluation Codes: Language and Components 2nd edition” before viewing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Correctly Choosing New Evaluation Codes for Pediatric OTs
Why Are There New OT Evaluation Codes?
Answers to frequently asked questions on the new codes
AOTA news item on the process of the new codes