CPT code 97116: Gait training, each 15 minutes, one-on-one2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Vermont
Timed one-on-one therapy to improve walking, stair negotiation, or assistive device use, reported in units supported by direct treatment time.
In Vermont, Medicare pays $28.76 for 97116 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 97116 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 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.
Billing guides for 97116: Physical therapy CPT codes
How Vermont compares for 97116
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 97116 runs from $26.97 in Arkansas to $37.31 in Alaska. Vermont pays $28.76. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Vermont · this page$28.76
- Los Angeles, CA · California$32.07+$3.31
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$32.35+$3.59
- Miami, FL · Florida$30.13+$1.37
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$29.67+$0.91
- Manhattan, NY · New York$32.43+$3.67
- Alaska · Alaska$37.31+$8.55
Other areas in Vermont first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $27.20 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $26.97 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $28.59 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $30.53 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $30.47 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $30.48 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $30.47 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $30.47 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $30.47 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $30.47 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $30.47 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $34.20 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $31.85 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $30.47 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $30.47 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $30.59 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $31.68 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $31.55 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $32.04 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $35.92 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $35.91 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $36.61 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $36.56 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $31.06 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $32.16 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $31.60 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $32.48 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $30.47 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $34.18 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $30.47 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $30.47 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $30.04 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $30.48 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $28.94 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $29.51 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $28.62 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $29.39 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $27.64 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $30.79 | — |
| IowaIowa | $27.69 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $27.79 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $28.30 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $28.06 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $29.79 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $27.89 | — |
| KansasKansas | $27.58 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $27.51 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $28.30 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $27.47 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $32.29 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $29.96 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $30.38 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $29.35 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $27.84 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $28.81 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $28.81 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $27.91 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $29.22 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $28.22 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $28.40 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $27.16 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $27.07 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $29.06 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $28.02 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $28.86 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $27.80 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $29.58 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $32.22 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $30.95 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $27.99 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $29.02 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $32.90 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $31.11 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $32.66 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $28.27 | — |
| OhioOhio | $27.87 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $27.52 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $30.73 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $28.90 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $29.96 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $27.92 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $29.20 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $29.76 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $27.97 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $28.84 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $27.66 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $29.85 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $27.80 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $28.98 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $29.09 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $28.96 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $29.03 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $29.21 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $28.33 | — |
| UtahUtah | $28.20 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $28.73 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $29.20 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $29.90 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $32.86 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $28.25 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $27.41 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $28.97 | — |
97116 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.
$26.97
$37.31
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 | $37.31 | 1 |
| AL | $27.20 | 1 |
| AR | $26.97 | 1 |
| AZ | $28.59 | 1 |
| CA | $30.47–$36.61 | 29 |
| CO | $30.04 | 1 |
| CT | $30.48 | 1 |
| DC | $32.35 | 1 |
| DE | $28.94 | 1 |
| FL | $28.62–$30.13 | 3 |
| GA | $27.64–$29.39 | 2 |
| GU | $30.79 | 1 |
| HI | $30.79 | 1 |
| IA | $27.69 | 1 |
| ID | $27.79 | 1 |
| IL | $28.06–$29.79 | 4 |
| IN | $27.89 | 1 |
| KS | $27.58 | 1 |
| KY | $27.51 | 1 |
| LA | $27.47–$28.30 | 2 |
| MA | $29.96–$32.29 | 2 |
| MD | $29.35–$32.35 | 3 |
| ME | $27.84–$28.81 | 2 |
| MI | $27.91–$28.81 | 2 |
| MN | $29.22 | 1 |
| MO | $27.16–$28.40 | 3 |
| MS | $27.07 | 1 |
| MT | $29.06 | 1 |
| NC | $28.02 | 1 |
| ND | $28.86 | 1 |
| NE | $27.80 | 1 |
| NH | $29.58 | 1 |
| NJ | $30.95–$32.22 | 2 |
| NM | $27.99 | 1 |
| NV | $29.02 | 1 |
| NY | $28.27–$32.90 | 5 |
| OH | $27.87 | 1 |
| OK | $27.52 | 1 |
| OR | $28.90–$30.73 | 2 |
| PA | $27.92–$29.96 | 2 |
| PR | $29.20 | 1 |
| RI | $29.76 | 1 |
| SC | $27.97 | 1 |
| SD | $28.84 | 1 |
| TN | $27.66 | 1 |
| TX | $27.80–$29.85 | 8 |
| UT | $28.20 | 1 |
| VA | $28.73–$32.35 | 2 |
| VI | $29.20 | 1 |
| VT | $28.76 | 1 |
| WA | $29.90–$32.86 | 2 |
| WI | $28.25 | 1 |
| WV | $27.41 | 1 |
| WY | $28.97 | 1 |
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.
How the rate is built · 97116
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.45
0.45 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.41
0.41 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.01
0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.8700
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$29.06
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Vermont inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
12,862
- Code
- 97116
- Physician work
- 0.45
- Practice expense
- 0.41
- Malpractice
- 0.01
GPCI2026.csv
105
- Locality
- Vermont
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.990
- Malpractice
- 0.506
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.45 | × 1.000 | 0.4500 |
| Practice expense | 0.41 | × 0.990 | 0.4059 |
| Malpractice | 0.01 | × 0.506 | 0.0051 |
| Total RVUs | 0.8610 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Vermont$28.76
Office: (0.45 × 1 + 0.41 × 0.99 + 0.01 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $28.76
Payment rules and modifiers for 97116
The CMS indicators that decide how 97116 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 97116
Gait training, each 15 minutes, one-on-one
| 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
97116 without CQ · national office
$29.06
Gait training, each 15 minutes, one-on-one
97116-CQ · Allowed amount unchanged
$29.06
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 97116 has changed in Vermont
97116 · Office / nonfacility
$28.76
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.22 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $28.54 to $28.76 (0.8%).
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
$28.54changed to$28.76
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense RVU 0.43 changed to 0.41
- Practice expense GPCI 0.993 changed to 0.990
- Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.506
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$29.03changed to$28.54
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 0.42 changed to 0.43
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$28.56changed to$29.03
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$29.62changed to$28.56
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 0.993
- Malpractice GPCI 0.543 changed to 0.518
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$29.82changed to$29.62
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.40 changed to 0.42
- Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.01
- Practice expense GPCI 1.001 changed to 0.997
- Malpractice GPCI 0.569 changed to 0.543
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$30.07changed to$29.82
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$30.85changed to$30.07
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.39 changed to 0.40
- Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.001
- Malpractice GPCI 0.582 changed to 0.569
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$30.91changed to$30.85
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.008
- Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.582
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$30.88changed to$30.91
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$28.72changed to$30.88
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Work RVU 0.40 changed to 0.45
- Malpractice RVU 0.01 changed to 0.02
- Practice expense GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.015
- Malpractice GPCI 0.639 changed to 0.595
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$28.59changed to$28.72
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.010
- Malpractice GPCI 0.682 changed to 0.639
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$28.69changed to$28.59
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$28.55changed to$28.69
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$28.61changed to$28.55
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.004
- Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.682
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
No ratechanged to$28.61
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $28.76 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $28.76 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $28.76 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $28.76 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $28.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $28.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $28.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $28.54 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $29.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $29.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $29.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $29.03 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $28.56 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $29.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $29.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $29.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $29.62 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $29.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $29.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $29.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $29.82 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $30.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $30.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $30.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $30.07 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $30.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $30.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $30.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $30.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $30.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $30.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $30.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $30.91 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $30.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $30.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $30.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $30.88 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $28.72 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $28.72 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $28.72 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $28.72 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $28.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $28.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $28.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $28.59 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $28.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $28.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $28.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $28.55 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $28.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $28.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $28.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $28.61 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | 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 Vermont rate applies
Vermont is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 180 cities and communities in Vermont. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Albany
- Alburgh
- Algiers
- Arlington
- Ascutney
- Bakersfield
- Barnet
- Barre
97116 billing questions
How many units of gait training can be billed for a session?
Medicare combines minutes from timed therapy services to determine total units, then assigns units to services supported by their direct one-on-one minutes. Eight minutes of gait training alone supports one unit; seven minutes alone does not.
When should gait training be reported instead of neuromuscular reeducation?
Use gait training when treatment directly addresses walking, stairs, or device use during ambulation. Choose neuromuscular reeducation when the treatment primarily addresses balance, coordination, proprioception, or postural control, even if performed standing.
Is initial training to use a lower limb prosthesis reported as gait training?
Initial training centered on using a lower limb prosthesis is generally reported with the prosthetic training code. Gait training fits ambulation work not centered on initial prosthetic use.
Can gait training be billed on the same day as a physical therapy evaluation?
Yes, when distinct gait treatment is provided in addition to the evaluation and its treatment time is documented separately. Minutes spent assessing gait during the evaluation cannot also be counted as treatment.
Which modifiers are commonly appended?
Use the therapy discipline modifier, usually GP for a physical therapy plan of care. Append CQ when physical therapist assistant participation meets the applicable threshold.
Does the therapy multiple procedure payment reduction affect gait training units?
Yes. When more than one therapy unit is furnished on the same day, the practice expense portion is reduced for the second and later units.
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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