Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: Can you tell me more about the new dry needling codes for CPT^® 2020?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: CPT^® 2020 gives you new codes 20560 (Needle insertion(s) without injection(s); 1 or 2 muscle(s)) and 20561 (… 3 or more muscles) for dry needling. Dry needling is used to treat pain, impaired movement, fibromyalgia, and tension headaches.

Caution: Be careful not to confuse dry needling with trigger point injections or acupuncture,” says Sarah L. Goodman, MBA, CHCAF, COC, CCP, FCS, president and CEO of SLG, Inc. Consulting in Raleigh, North Carolina. “With dry needling, no medication is administered via the needle.”

Don’t miss: You will choose the appropriate code (20560 or 20561) based on how many muscles the physician used the dry needling on. For one or two muscles, choose 20560. For three or more muscles, choose 20561.