Should the Acupuncturist be Present

Question:

When a patient receives acupuncture for 30 minutes, does there need to be personal one-on-one contact with the patient in addition to re-inserting the needles?

Answer:

CPT coding for acupuncture is based on the time spent actively performing the procedure. This includes selecting the acupuncture points, inserting the needles, monitoring the patient’s response, and making any necessary adjustments. All these tasks require direct interaction with the patient throughout the treatment session. Essentially, the billing code reflects the dedicated time the practitioner spends actively treating the patient, not just the needle insertion itself.

Therefore, yes, the acupuncturist must be present for the entire procedure.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 3/13/25.