Simplify lymphedema billing for your therapy practice

Maximize reimbursement and stay compliant with our expert guidance to lymphedema billing and coding for your PT or OT practice.

Get Help with Lymphedema Billing
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Struggling with lymphedema billing? You’re not alone.

Lymphedema treatment is highly specialized and critical for patient outcomes—but like all therapies, billing for these services can be complex. Whether you're using Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), manual lymph drainage, or compression bandaging, it's crucial to get the coding, documentation, and payer guidelines right.

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At PTBS, we help physical and occupational therapy practices like yours get reimbursed quickly, accurately, and compliantly. Here’s what you need to know.

What counts as lymphedema treatment?

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Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
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Compression Bandaging
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Skin Care and Wound Management
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Exercise for Lymphatic Function
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Patient Education and Self-Care Training
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Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)
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Key CPT codes for billing lymphedema treatment

Correct coding ensures you get paid for the work you do. Below are the most commonly used CPT codes for lymphedema services in PT/OT practices:

CPT Code
Description
Typical Use in Lymphedema Care
97140
Manual therapy techniques (MLD)
Manual lymph drainage
97535
Self-care/home management training
Teaching self-bandaging, skin care
97110
Therapeutic exercises
Prescribed exercises for lymphatic flow
97597/97598
Debridement (if applicable)
Wound care in severe cases
29581/29584
Application of multi-layer compression systems
Compression bandaging or garments
Note: Always check payer-specific guidelines for coverage and documentation requirements.

You focus on patient care —let us handle the billing

Our team specializes in helping PT and OT practices get paid for complex services like lymphedema treatment. We handle:

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Clean claims submission
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Benefit verifications
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Payment posting
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Denial management
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Payor communications
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Ongoing compliance and audits

Don’t leave money on the table or risk non-compliance. We’ll ensure you’re maximizing reimbursement without extra stress.

Talk to a Lymphedema Billing Expert
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Documentation tips that prevent denials

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Document the Diagnosis

Clearly document the diagnosis of lymphedema (ICD-10 Codes such as I89.0 for primary lymphedema, I97.2 for post-procedural).

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Justify Medical Necessity

Describe medical necessity, such as pain, mobility restrictions, or skin integrity issues.

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Detail Treatment Plan

Include frequency and duration of treatment, as well as patient education provided.

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Measure & Monitor Progress

Provide objective measurements, including limb girth, volume changes, and skin condition.

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Track Supplies for Billing

Maintain records of supplies used (bandages, compression garments), especially for billing payers who cover these items.

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Avoid these common lymphedema billing errors

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Using CPT codes incorrectly (e.g., manual therapy without documentation of medical necessity)
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Missing prior authorization requirements for compression bandages or garments
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Not linking the correct ICD-10 code to the CPT service
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Under-documenting patient response to treatment
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Failing to account for time-based coding rules (e.g., 97140 and 97110 time requirements)

Ready to take the stress out of lymphedema billing?

Contact PT Billing Services today for expert help with lymphedema billing, clean claims, and maximum reimbursements.

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