CPT 98940: Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment, 1-2 Regions
CPT 98940 reports chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT) of one to two spinal regions. It is untimed, billed once per encounter. In 2026 Medicare pays about $26.72 non-facility and $18.37 facility (national, before locality adjustment). Medicare covers only manual spinal manipulation to correct a subluxation.
- Code type
- Chiropractic manipulative treatment (untimed)
- 2026 Medicare
- ~$26.72 nf / ~$18.37 f
- Timed?
- No — once per encounter, by region count
- Coverage
- Medicare: manual spinal manipulation for subluxation only
What is CPT 98940 used for?
CPT 98940 is chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT) of one to two spinal regions. It is the entry-level CMT code and is untimed — billed once per encounter based on how many regions were manipulated, not how long the visit lasted. The CMT codes include a brief pre-manipulation assessment, so a separate low-level exam is generally not billable on top.
How does the region count work?
Medicare recognizes five spinal regions — cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and pelvic. The three CMT codes escalate by region count:
- 98940 — 1 to 2 regions.
- 98941 — 3 to 4 regions.
- 98942 — all 5 regions.
Document each region examined and manipulated. Billing 98941 or 98942 without documentation supporting the higher region count is a frequent audit finding.
What does Medicare cover, and why does the AT modifier matter?
Medicare Part B covers only manual spinal manipulation to correct a subluxation — no exams, imaging, or physical modalities from a chiropractor. Active or corrective care must carry the AT (acute treatment) modifier; maintenance care is not covered, and omitting AT causes Medicare to treat the visit as non-covered.
Can you bill 97140 with 98940?
Manual therapy (97140) is bundled with CMT under NCCI edits. When manual therapy is performed on a different region than the manipulation, a modifier 59 can unbundle it — but only with documentation of the separate region and distinct service. Verify the allowed amount and your locality-adjusted rate in the Medicare fee calculator. Because Medicare covers only the manipulation, tie every claim to a documented medical necessity for subluxation correction.
Frequently asked questions
Medicare recognizes five spinal regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and pelvic. 98940 covers manipulation of 1-2 regions, 98941 covers 3-4, and 98942 covers all 5. Count the regions actually manipulated and documented, not the number of segments.
Medicare Part B covers only manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation demonstrated by exam or imaging. It does not cover exams, X-rays, therapies, or maintenance care from a chiropractor. Active treatment claims need the AT modifier; without it, Medicare treats the service as non-covered maintenance.
The 2026 national non-facility rate is about $26.72 and facility about $18.37 before locality adjustment. Medicare pays 80 percent after the deductible. Because Medicare covers only the manipulation, everything else in a chiropractic visit is typically the patient's responsibility.
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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