CPT code 97116: Gait training, each 15 minutes, one-on-one2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $29.06 for 97116 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $26.97–$37.31.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 97116 covers

Gait training is skilled, one-on-one instruction to improve a patient’s walking pattern, safety, and endurance. Typical patients include those recovering from stroke, hip or knee replacement, lower extremity fracture, Parkinson disease, or fall-related deconditioning. The therapist analyzes gait deviations and trains weight shifting, step length, cadence, stair climbing, curbs, and use of walkers, canes, or crutches. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants commonly provide it in outpatient clinics and private practices, with use in skilled nursing and other Part B settings.

Report units based on direct one-on-one gait-training minutes; Medicare uses the combined minutes of timed therapy services that day to determine the total billable units under its 8-minute rule. Documentation should record treatment minutes, gait deficits addressed, cues or assistance levels, devices used, and progress toward the plan of care. Report the appropriate therapy discipline modifier, such as GP for a physical therapy plan. The professional component modifier is not used for this therapy service. Medicare’s therapy multiple procedure payment reduction reduces the practice expense portion for the second and later therapy units furnished 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.

Where 97116 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

97116 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 97116 rate is calculated

Each of 97116’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 97116

The CMS indicators that decide how 97116 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

97116 compared with similar codes

How to choose

97112Neuromuscular reeducationBalance, coordination, proprioception, timed

Gait training targets walking, including stairs and assistive device use. Neuromuscular reeducation targets balance, coordination, or proprioception as the focus of treatment.

97530Therapeutic activitiesOne-on-one, each 15 minutes

Therapeutic activities use dynamic functional tasks such as transfers, lifting, or bed mobility. When treatment directly trains ambulation or stair negotiation, gait training is the better fit.

97110Therapeutic exerciseOne-on-one, each 15 minutes

Therapeutic exercise develops strength, flexibility, or endurance through exercise. Gait training provides skilled instruction in walking rather than isolated strengthening.

97761Prosthetic trainingInitial encounter

Prosthetic training covers initial training in the use of a prosthesis. Gait training applies to ambulation instruction not centered on initial prosthetic use.

Codes related to 97116

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates