CPT 97110: Therapeutic Exercise
CPT 97110 reports therapeutic exercise to develop strength, endurance, range of motion, or flexibility, billed in 15-minute timed units under the 8-minute rule. It is the most-used physical therapy code. In 2026 Medicare pays about $29.06 per unit non-facility (national, before locality adjustment).
- Code type
- Timed therapy modality/procedure (per 15 min)
- 2026 Medicare
- ~$29.06 per unit (non-facility)
- Timed?
- Yes — 8-minute rule applies
- Therapy cap
- Counts toward 2026 KX threshold ($2,480 PT/SLP)
What is CPT 97110 used for?
CPT 97110 is therapeutic exercise performed one-on-one to improve strength, endurance, range of motion, or flexibility. It is the single most-billed physical and occupational therapy procedure code, covering everything from a supervised strengthening progression after a knee replacement to range-of-motion work for a frozen shoulder.
Because it is a timed code, the note must document the actual minutes of skilled, direct contact and the specific clinical purpose. "Ther ex 15 min" is not enough; a reviewer wants the exercise, the body region, and why a skilled therapist was required.
How do you count units for 97110?
Medicare uses the 8-minute rule. Add up all timed minutes in the visit, then convert the total to units:
| Total timed minutes | Billable units |
|---|---|
| 8-22 | 1 |
| 23-37 | 2 |
| 38-52 | 3 |
| 53-67 | 4 |
Example: a therapist provides 23 minutes of 97110 and 10 minutes of 97140 manual therapy. Total timed = 33 minutes = 2 units. Allocate them by time: 97110 (the larger block) gets 1 unit, 97140 gets 1 unit. You do not calculate each code in isolation.
How much does 97110 pay in 2026, and does the cap apply?
The 2026 national non-facility allowed amount is about $29.06 per unit before geographic adjustment. Run your locality-specific figure through the Medicare fee calculator. Every 97110 unit also counts toward the 2026 KX modifier threshold of $2,480 for combined physical therapy and speech-language pathology. Once a beneficiary's PT/SLP spending crosses that amount, append the KX modifier to attest medical necessity, or the claim denies.
How does 97110 relate to the other therapy codes?
97110 is one of four core timed procedures that share the 8-minute-rule pool. Choose the code that matches the clinical intent, not just convenience:
- 97110 — therapeutic exercise (strength, ROM, endurance).
- 97112 — neuromuscular reeducation (balance, coordination, proprioception).
- 97140 — manual therapy (mobilization, manipulation, soft-tissue work).
- 97530 — therapeutic activities (dynamic, functional tasks).
The evaluation that opens a plan of care is coded separately with 97161 for physical therapy. Keep the exercise, reeducation, and activity notes distinct so the medical necessity for each timed code is clear.
Frequently asked questions
Units follow the 8-minute rule. One unit needs 8-22 minutes of direct one-on-one therapeutic exercise, two units need 23-37 minutes, three units need 38-52 minutes. Combine all timed minutes in the session first, convert to total units, then allocate units to each code by time spent.
The 2026 national non-facility rate is about $29.06 per 15-minute unit before your locality adjustment. Medicare pays 80 percent; the patient or secondary plan owes the 20 percent coinsurance after the deductible. Commercial payers often reimburse above the Medicare rate.
97110 is a timed code, so documentation must record the actual minutes of direct contact. Untimed codes (such as 97010 hot/cold packs) are billed once per session regardless of duration. Mixing the two on one claim is fine, but only the timed minutes feed the 8-minute-rule math.
Sources & further reading
Reviewed by the ImmediCare Solutions RCM team
Certified billers and coders handling claims across 50+ specialties nationwide. This entry is reviewed against current payer policy and CMS rules. Last review: Jul 5, 2026.
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