5160-8-11. Spinal manipulation and related diagnostic imaging services  


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  • (A) Scope. This rule sets forth provisions governing payment for professional, non-institutional spinal manipulation and related diagnostic imaging services. Provisions governing payment for such services performed in a federally qualified health center are set forth in Chapter 5160-28 of the Administrative Code.

    (B) Providers.

    (1) Rendering providers. The following eligible providers may render a service described in this rule:

    (a) A chiropractor (an individual who holds a valid license as a chiropractor under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code and works within the scope of practice defined by state law); or

    (b) A mechanotherapist (an individual who holds a valid license as a mechanotherapist under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code and works within the scope of practice defined by state law).

    (2) Billing ("pay-to") providers. The following eligible providers may receive medicaid payment for submitting a claim for a covered service on behalf of a rendering provider:

    (a) A chiropractor;

    (b) A mechanotherapist;

    (c) A professional medical group, which is described in rule 5160-1-17 of the Administrative Code;

    (d) A hospital, rules for which are set forth in Chapter 5160-2 of the Administrative Code; or

    (e) A fee-for-service clinic, rules for which are set forth in Chapter 5160-13 of the Administrative Code.

    (C) Coverage.

    (1) Payment for manual manipulation of the spine may be made only for the correction of a subluxation, the existence of which must be determined either by physical examination or by diagnostic imaging. If the determination is made by physical examination, the following criteria must be met:

    (a) At least one of the following two conditions exists:

    (i) Asymmetry or misalignment on a sectional or segmental level; or

    (ii) Abnormality in the range of motion; and

    (b) At least one of the following two symptoms is present:

    (i) Significant pain or tenderness in the affected area; or

    (ii) Changes in the tone or characteristics of contiguous or associated soft tissues, including skin, fascia, muscle, and ligament.

    (2) Payment may be made only for the following services:

    (a) Spinal manipulation.

    (i) Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); spinal, one to two regions.

    (ii) Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); spinal, three to four regions.

    (iii) Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); spinal, five regions.

    (b) Diagnostic imaging to determine the existence of a subluxation.

    (i) Spine, entire; survey study, anteroposterior and lateral.

    (ii) Spine, cervical; anteroposterior and lateral.

    (iii) Spine, cervical; anteroposterior and lateral; minimum of four views.

    (iv) Spine, cervical; anteroposterior and lateral; complete, including oblique and flexion and/or extension studies.

    (v) Spine, thoracic; anteroposterior and lateral views.

    (vi) Spine, thoracic; complete, with oblique views; minimum of four views.

    (vii) Spine, thoracolumbar; anteroposterior and lateral views.

    (viii) Spine, lumbosacral; anteroposterior and lateral views.

    (ix) Spine, lumbosacral; complete, with oblique views.

    (x) Spine, lumbosacral; complete, including bending views.

    (c) Acupuncture services in accordance with rule 5160-8-51 of the Administrative Code.

    (D) Requirements, constraints, and limitations.

    (1) The following coverage limits, which may be exceeded with prior authorization, are established for the indicated services:

    (a) Spinal manipulation, one treatment per date of service;

    (b) Diagnostic imaging of the entire spine to determine the existence of a subluxation, two sessions per benefit year;

    (c) All other imaging, two sessions per six-month period; and

    (d) Visits in an outpatient setting, thirty dates of service per benefit year for an individual younger than twenty-one years of age, fifteen dates of service per benefit year for an individual twenty-one years of age or older.

    (2) Payment will not be made under this rule for any of the following services:

    (a) A service that is not medically necessary, examples of which are shown in the following non-exhaustive list:

    (i) A service unrelated to the treatment of a specific medical complaint;

    (ii) Treatment of a disease, disorder, or condition that does not respond to spinal manipulation, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, muscular dystrophy, sinus problems, and pneumonia;

    (iii) Preventive treatment;

    (iv) Repeated treatment without an achievable and clearly defined goal;

    (v) Repeated imaging or other diagnostic procedure for a chronic, permanent condition;

    (vi) Treatment from which the maximum therapeutic benefit has already been achieved and the continuation of which cannot reasonably be expected to improve the condition or arrest deterioration within a reasonable and generally predictable period of time; and

    (vii) A service performed more frequently than the standard generally accepted by peers;

    (b) A service that is performed by someone other than a chiropractor or mechanotherapist who is an eligible provider; and

    (c) A service that is performed by a chiropractor or mechanotherapist who is an eligible provider but that is neither chiropractic manipulation nor diagnostic imaging to determine the existence of a subluxation, illustrated by the following examples:

    (i) Diagnostic studies;

    (ii) Drugs;

    (iii) Equipment used for manipulation;

    (iv) Evaluation and management services;

    (v) Injections;

    (vi) Laboratory tests;

    (vii) Maintenance therapy (therapy that is performed to treat a chronic, stable condition or to prevent deterioration);

    (viii) Manual manipulation for purposes other than the treatment of subluxation;

    (ix) Orthopedic devices;

    (x) Physical therapy;

    (xi) Supplies; and

    (xii) Traction.


Effective: 1/1/2018
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 5/8/2021
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 5164.02
Rule Amplifies: 5164.02
Prior Effective Dates: 2/10/86, 12/31/96 (Emer), 3/22/97, 7/1/02, 1/1/04, 1/1/08, 5/8/2016