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Official Description

Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT); 9-10 body regions involved

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

An osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a hands-on therapeutic approach that utilizes various techniques to address somatic dysfunction, which refers to impaired or altered function of the body's musculoskeletal system. This treatment modality is akin to methods used in physical therapy and chiropractic care, focusing on the manipulation of muscles, bones, and joints to restore balance and function. OMT can be employed as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other medical interventions such as pharmacotherapy, surgical procedures, rehabilitation programs, patient education, dietary modifications, and exercise regimens. The overarching aim of OMT is to promote the body's inherent ability to heal itself by alleviating restrictions and blockages within the myofascial system. The techniques involved in OMT are diverse and include muscle energy, counter strain, high-velocity low-amplitude, myofascial release, and lymphatic pumping. The muscle energy technique involves the patient actively contracting their muscles against a counterforce provided by the practitioner, which helps to stretch and strengthen the muscles. The counter strain technique addresses inappropriate strain reflexes by applying gentle pressure in the opposite direction of the reflex, thereby reducing discomfort. High-velocity low-amplitude techniques involve delivering a quick, controlled force to a specific joint within its anatomical range of motion to release restrictions and improve mobility. Myofascial release is a soft tissue technique that employs palpation to identify and relax contracted muscles, enhancing blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. Lastly, lymphatic pumping involves the application of manual pressure to facilitate the movement of lymph fluid through the lymphatic system, promoting overall health and wellness. For coding purposes, OMT is categorized based on the number of body regions treated, with code 98929 specifically designated for treatments involving 9-10 body regions.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is indicated for a variety of conditions that involve somatic dysfunction. These may include, but are not limited to:

  • Musculoskeletal Pain Conditions such as back pain, neck pain, and joint pain that may benefit from manipulation to restore function and alleviate discomfort.
  • Postural Issues Problems related to poor posture that can lead to musculoskeletal strain and discomfort.
  • Headaches Tension headaches and migraines that may be influenced by musculoskeletal factors.
  • Sports Injuries Injuries sustained during physical activity that require rehabilitation and manipulation for recovery.
  • Chronic Conditions Long-term conditions that affect mobility and quality of life, where OMT can provide symptomatic relief.

2. Procedure

The procedure for osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) involves several key steps that are performed by a trained osteopathic physician. Each step is designed to address specific areas of somatic dysfunction and promote healing.

  • Assessment The physician begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's medical history and physical examination to identify areas of somatic dysfunction. This may involve palpation of the musculoskeletal system to detect restrictions or abnormalities.
  • Technique Selection Based on the assessment, the physician selects appropriate OMT techniques tailored to the patient's specific needs. This may include muscle energy, counter strain, high-velocity low-amplitude, myofascial release, or lymphatic pumping.
  • Application of Techniques The selected techniques are then applied. For example, in muscle energy, the patient may be instructed to contract their muscles against the physician's resistance, while in high-velocity low-amplitude, a quick thrust may be applied to a joint to restore mobility.
  • Monitoring Response Throughout the procedure, the physician monitors the patient's response to treatment, making adjustments as necessary to ensure comfort and effectiveness.
  • Post-Treatment Evaluation After the application of OMT techniques, the physician evaluates the patient's progress and may provide recommendations for follow-up care or additional treatments as needed.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) may include recommendations for rest, hydration, and gentle stretching to facilitate recovery. Patients are often advised to monitor their symptoms and report any significant changes or discomfort to their physician. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and to determine if additional OMT sessions are necessary. It is important for patients to engage in any prescribed rehabilitation exercises or lifestyle modifications to support their recovery and enhance the benefits of OMT.

Short Descr OSTEOPATH MANJ 9-10 REGIONS
Medium Descr OSTEOPATHIC MANIPULATIVE TX 9-10 BODY REGIONS
Long Descr Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT); 9-10 body regions involved
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator STV-Packaged Codes
Type of Service (TOS) 1 - Medical Care
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 215 - Other physical therapy and rehabilitation
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
25 Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59.
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
X2 Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
HA Child/adolescent program
Q3 Live kidney donor surgery and related services
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Short Descriptor changed.
2009-01-01 Changed Code description changed
1994-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1994.
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