CPT code 97034: Contrast baths, each 15 minutes2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Wisconsin
Reports therapist-applied alternating warm and cool water immersion for a body area, billed in 15-minute units as a physical therapy modality.
In Wisconsin, Medicare pays $13.52 for 97034 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 97034 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 97034 covers
Contrast bath therapy alternates immersion of a body area in warm and cool water as a therapeutic modality. Physical and occupational therapists commonly provide it in outpatient rehabilitation settings, often for a hand, foot, or other extremity. The treatment differs from a hot or cold pack because the area is immersed in alternating-temperature water rather than treated with a pack.
Report one unit for each 15-minute increment supported by the treatment record. Documentation should identify the treated area, the contrast-bath intervention, the time provided, and its therapeutic purpose and response. This is a therapy service; a professional component modifier does not apply. Under the therapy multiple procedure payment reduction, CMS reduces practice expense for the second and later therapy units furnished on the same day.
This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.
How Wisconsin compares for 97034
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 97034 runs from $12.92 in Arkansas to $17.82 in Alaska. Wisconsin pays $13.52. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Wisconsin · this page$13.52
- Los Angeles, CA · California$15.43+$1.91
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$15.63+$2.11
- Miami, FL · Florida$14.81+$1.29
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$14.54+$1.02
- Manhattan, NY · New York$15.76+$2.24
- Alaska · Alaska$17.82+$4.30
Other areas in Wisconsin first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $13.05 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $12.92 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $13.77 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $14.67 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $14.63 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $14.64 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $14.63 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $14.63 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $14.63 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $14.63 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $14.63 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $16.43 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $15.31 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $14.63 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $14.63 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $14.75 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $15.21 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $15.15 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $15.40 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $17.25 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $17.24 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $17.60 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $17.55 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $14.92 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $15.46 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $15.18 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $15.61 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $14.63 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $16.41 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $14.63 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $14.63 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $14.47 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $14.75 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $13.95 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $14.39 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $13.90 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $14.22 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $13.37 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $14.80 | — |
| IowaIowa | $13.26 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $13.32 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $13.83 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $13.64 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $14.52 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $13.37 | — |
| KansasKansas | $13.22 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $13.26 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $13.68 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $13.25 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $15.58 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $14.43 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $14.71 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $14.15 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $13.37 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $13.85 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $14.02 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $13.49 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $13.99 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $13.61 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $13.71 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $13.10 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $13.01 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $14.03 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $13.46 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $13.83 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $13.31 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $14.26 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $15.56 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $14.96 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $13.54 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $13.98 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $16.03 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $15.05 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $15.84 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $13.60 | — |
| OhioOhio | $13.45 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $13.24 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $14.80 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $13.90 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $14.49 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $13.46 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $14.10 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $14.35 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $13.47 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $13.81 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $13.27 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $14.39 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $13.40 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $13.95 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $14.02 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $13.95 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $13.98 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $14.16 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $13.66 | — |
| UtahUtah | $13.59 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $13.82 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $14.10 | — |
| VermontVermont | $13.80 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $14.39 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $15.83 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $13.30 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $13.94 | — |
97034 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
Explore a state
Local rates. Clear comparisons.
Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.
$12.92
$17.82
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $17.82 | 1 |
| AL | $13.05 | 1 |
| AR | $12.92 | 1 |
| AZ | $13.77 | 1 |
| CA | $14.63–$17.60 | 29 |
| CO | $14.47 | 1 |
| CT | $14.75 | 1 |
| DC | $15.63 | 1 |
| DE | $13.95 | 1 |
| FL | $13.90–$14.81 | 3 |
| GA | $13.37–$14.22 | 2 |
| GU | $14.80 | 1 |
| HI | $14.80 | 1 |
| IA | $13.26 | 1 |
| ID | $13.32 | 1 |
| IL | $13.64–$14.54 | 4 |
| IN | $13.37 | 1 |
| KS | $13.22 | 1 |
| KY | $13.26 | 1 |
| LA | $13.25–$13.68 | 2 |
| MA | $14.43–$15.58 | 2 |
| MD | $14.15–$15.63 | 3 |
| ME | $13.37–$13.85 | 2 |
| MI | $13.49–$14.02 | 2 |
| MN | $13.99 | 1 |
| MO | $13.10–$13.71 | 3 |
| MS | $13.01 | 1 |
| MT | $14.03 | 1 |
| NC | $13.46 | 1 |
| ND | $13.83 | 1 |
| NE | $13.31 | 1 |
| NH | $14.26 | 1 |
| NJ | $14.96–$15.56 | 2 |
| NM | $13.54 | 1 |
| NV | $13.98 | 1 |
| NY | $13.60–$16.03 | 5 |
| OH | $13.45 | 1 |
| OK | $13.24 | 1 |
| OR | $13.90–$14.80 | 2 |
| PA | $13.46–$14.49 | 2 |
| PR | $14.10 | 1 |
| RI | $14.35 | 1 |
| SC | $13.47 | 1 |
| SD | $13.81 | 1 |
| TN | $13.27 | 1 |
| TX | $13.40–$14.39 | 8 |
| UT | $13.59 | 1 |
| VA | $13.82–$15.63 | 2 |
| VI | $14.10 | 1 |
| VT | $13.80 | 1 |
| WA | $14.39–$15.83 | 2 |
| WI | $13.52 | 1 |
| WV | $13.30 | 1 |
| WY | $13.94 | 1 |
How the 97034 rate is calculated
Each of 97034’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.
How the rate is built · 97034
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.21
0.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.20
0.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.01
0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.4200
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$14.03
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Wisconsin inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
12,854
- Code
- 97034
- Physician work
- 0.21
- Practice expense
- 0.20
- Malpractice
- 0.01
GPCI2026.csv
111
- Locality
- Wisconsin
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.958
- Malpractice
- 0.308
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.21 | × 1.000 | 0.2100 |
| Practice expense | 0.20 | × 0.958 | 0.1916 |
| Malpractice | 0.01 | × 0.308 | 0.0031 |
| Total RVUs | 0.4047 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Wisconsin$13.52
Office: (0.21 × 1 + 0.2 × 0.958 + 0.01 × 0.308) × $33.4009 = $13.52
Payment rules and modifiers for 97034
The CMS indicators that decide how 97034 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 97034
Contrast baths, each 15 minutes
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 5 | Therapy reduction: practice expense of the second and later units is reduced. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 7 | Therapy service: the split doesn’t apply. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier CQ · payment effect
With and without the modifier
97034 without CQ · national office
$14.03
Contrast baths, each 15 minutes
97034-CQ · Allowed amount unchanged
$14.03
Medicare cuts its own payment by 15% after the patient’s 20% coinsurance; the allowed amount stays the same. On $100 allowed: $20 coinsurance, then Medicare pays $68 instead of $80.
How 97034 has changed in Wisconsin
97034 · Office / nonfacility
$13.52
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.43 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $13.09 to $13.52 (3.3%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.
What changed, release by release
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$13.09changed to$13.52
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense GPCI 0.957 changed to 0.958
- Malpractice GPCI 0.331 changed to 0.308
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$13.47changed to$13.09
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$13.25changed to$13.47
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$13.98changed to$13.25
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 0.21 changed to 0.20
- Practice expense GPCI 0.950 changed to 0.957
- Malpractice GPCI 0.314 changed to 0.331
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$14.22changed to$13.98
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense GPCI 0.942 changed to 0.950
- Malpractice GPCI 0.296 changed to 0.314
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$14.33changed to$14.22
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$14.89changed to$14.33
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.942
- Malpractice GPCI 0.322 changed to 0.296
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$14.94changed to$14.89
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense GPCI 0.957 changed to 0.949
- Malpractice GPCI 0.347 changed to 0.322
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$14.92changed to$14.94
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$17.65changed to$14.92
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.29 changed to 0.21
- Practice expense GPCI 0.956 changed to 0.957
- Malpractice GPCI 0.457 changed to 0.347
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$17.64changed to$17.65
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.956
- Malpractice GPCI 0.566 changed to 0.457
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$17.70changed to$17.64
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$17.61changed to$17.70
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$17.67changed to$17.61
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense GPCI 0.958 changed to 0.955
- Malpractice GPCI 0.557 changed to 0.566
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$17.46changed to$17.67
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 0.31 changed to 0.29
- Practice expense GPCI 0.960 changed to 0.958
- Malpractice GPCI 0.547 changed to 0.557
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
October 1, 2013
RVU13D
No ratechanged to$17.46
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $13.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $13.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $13.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $13.52 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $13.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $13.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $13.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $13.09 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $13.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $13.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $13.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $13.47 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $13.25 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $13.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $13.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $13.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $13.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $14.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $14.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $14.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $14.22 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $14.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $14.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $14.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $14.33 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $14.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $14.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $14.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $14.89 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $14.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $14.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $14.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $14.94 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $14.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $14.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $14.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $14.92 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $17.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $17.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $17.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $17.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $17.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $17.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $17.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $17.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $17.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $17.70 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $17.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $17.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $17.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $17.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $17.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $17.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $17.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Wisconsin rate applies
Wisconsin is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 807 cities and communities in Wisconsin. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abbotsford
- Abrams
- Adams
- Adell
- Albany
- Algoma
- Allens Grove
- Allenton
97034 billing questions
How is this different from hot or cold pack therapy?
Contrast baths involve alternating warm and cool water immersion. Code 97010 describes hot or cold pack treatment, not alternating-temperature immersion.
How many units should be reported?
The code is reported in 15-minute units. Document the treatment time and the area treated to support the units billed.
Can a professional component modifier be appended?
No. CMS identifies this as a therapy service for which the professional component modifier does not apply.
How does the therapy multiple procedure payment reduction affect this service?
CMS reduces practice expense for the second and later therapy units furnished on the same day. The reduction applies to practice expense, not the work component.
When would 97022 be a better fit?
Use 97022 for whirlpool therapy involving agitated water. Code 97034 is for alternating warm and cool water immersion.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.
CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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