CPT code 97124: Massage therapy, 15-minute units2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alaska
Report 97124 for timed, hands-on massage techniques used as a therapeutic intervention during rehabilitation, such as treatment for soft-tissue pain or muscle tightness.
In Alaska, Medicare pays $36.57 for 97124 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 97124 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 97124 covers
A therapist uses hands-on stroking, kneading, or percussion techniques to address soft-tissue symptoms such as muscle tightness or pain within a rehabilitation plan. The service is commonly furnished during outpatient physical therapy; the treatment should relate to the patient’s documented functional goals rather than being merely relaxation massage.
Report the code in 15-minute units based on direct treatment time and applicable Medicare timed-code counting rules. Document the techniques, treated area, skilled service, time, and the patient’s response or progress toward goals. When other therapy services are furnished on the same day, CMS reduces practice expense for the second and later therapy units. This is a therapy service, not a separately billed professional component, so a professional-component modifier does not apply.
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 Alaska compares for 97124
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 97124 runs from $27.07 in Arkansas to $38.68 in San Benito County, CA. Alaska pays $36.57. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Alaska · this page$36.57
- Los Angeles, CA · California$33.33−$3.24
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$33.55−$3.02
- Miami, FL · Florida$30.96−$5.61
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$30.33−$6.24
- Manhattan, NY · New York$33.54−$3.03
- Alabama · Alabama$27.37−$9.20
Other areas in Alaska first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $27.07 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $29.13 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $31.52 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $31.47 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $31.47 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $31.47 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $31.47 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $31.47 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $31.47 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $31.47 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $35.93 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $33.15 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $31.47 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $31.47 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $31.59 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $32.88 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $32.75 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $33.39 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $37.91 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $37.90 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $38.68 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $38.64 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $32.23 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $33.62 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $32.84 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $33.96 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $31.47 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $35.91 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $31.47 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $31.47 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $30.93 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $31.39 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $29.54 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $30.23 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $29.12 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $30.11 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $27.88 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $32.01 | — |
| IowaIowa | $28.02 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $28.13 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $28.65 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $28.37 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $30.54 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $28.26 | — |
| KansasKansas | $27.86 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $27.73 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $28.73 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $27.68 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $33.60 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $30.78 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $31.29 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $30.03 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $28.18 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $29.44 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $29.34 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $28.23 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $30.01 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $28.64 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $28.88 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $27.28 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $27.18 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $29.73 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $28.42 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $29.53 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $28.16 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $30.41 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $33.32 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $31.86 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $28.32 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $29.69 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $34.11 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $32.00 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $33.84 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $28.74 | — |
| OhioOhio | $28.19 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $27.76 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $31.79 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $29.56 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $30.73 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $28.26 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $29.92 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $30.50 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $28.33 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $29.51 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $27.96 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $30.74 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $28.11 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $29.59 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $29.71 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $29.54 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $29.64 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $29.82 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $28.79 | — |
| UtahUtah | $28.63 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $29.33 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $29.92 | — |
| VermontVermont | $29.38 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $30.74 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $34.27 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $28.75 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $27.55 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $29.64 | — |
97124 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.
$27.07
$36.57
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 | $36.57 | 1 |
| AL | $27.37 | 1 |
| AR | $27.07 | 1 |
| AZ | $29.13 | 1 |
| CA | $31.47–$38.68 | 29 |
| CO | $30.93 | 1 |
| CT | $31.39 | 1 |
| DC | $33.55 | 1 |
| DE | $29.54 | 1 |
| FL | $29.12–$30.96 | 3 |
| GA | $27.88–$30.11 | 2 |
| GU | $32.01 | 1 |
| HI | $32.01 | 1 |
| IA | $28.02 | 1 |
| ID | $28.13 | 1 |
| IL | $28.37–$30.54 | 4 |
| IN | $28.26 | 1 |
| KS | $27.86 | 1 |
| KY | $27.73 | 1 |
| LA | $27.68–$28.73 | 2 |
| MA | $30.78–$33.60 | 2 |
| MD | $30.03–$33.55 | 3 |
| ME | $28.18–$29.44 | 2 |
| MI | $28.23–$29.34 | 2 |
| MN | $30.01 | 1 |
| MO | $27.28–$28.88 | 3 |
| MS | $27.18 | 1 |
| MT | $29.73 | 1 |
| NC | $28.42 | 1 |
| ND | $29.53 | 1 |
| NE | $28.16 | 1 |
| NH | $30.41 | 1 |
| NJ | $31.86–$33.32 | 2 |
| NM | $28.32 | 1 |
| NV | $29.69 | 1 |
| NY | $28.74–$34.11 | 5 |
| OH | $28.19 | 1 |
| OK | $27.76 | 1 |
| OR | $29.56–$31.79 | 2 |
| PA | $28.26–$30.73 | 2 |
| PR | $29.92 | 1 |
| RI | $30.50 | 1 |
| SC | $28.33 | 1 |
| SD | $29.51 | 1 |
| TN | $27.96 | 1 |
| TX | $28.11–$30.74 | 8 |
| UT | $28.63 | 1 |
| VA | $29.33–$33.55 | 2 |
| VI | $29.92 | 1 |
| VT | $29.38 | 1 |
| WA | $30.74–$34.27 | 2 |
| WI | $28.75 | 1 |
| WV | $27.55 | 1 |
| WY | $29.64 | 1 |
How the 97124 rate is calculated
Each of 97124’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 · 97124
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.35
0.35 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.53
0.53 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.01
0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.8900
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$29.73
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Alaska inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
12,863
- Code
- 97124
- Physician work
- 0.35
- Practice expense
- 0.53
- Malpractice
- 0.01
GPCI2026.csv
5
- Locality
- Alaska
- Physician work
- 1.500
- Practice expense
- 1.065
- Malpractice
- 0.551
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.35 | × 1.500 | 0.5250 |
| Practice expense | 0.53 | × 1.065 | 0.5645 |
| Malpractice | 0.01 | × 0.551 | 0.0055 |
| Total RVUs | 1.0950 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Alaska$36.57
Office: (0.35 × 1.5 + 0.53 × 1.065 + 0.01 × 0.551) × $33.4009 = $36.57
Payment rules and modifiers for 97124
The CMS indicators that decide how 97124 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 97124
Massage therapy, 15-minute units
| 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
97124 without CQ · national office
$29.73
Massage therapy, 15-minute units
97124-CQ · Allowed amount unchanged
$29.73
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 97124 has changed in Alaska
97124 · Office / nonfacility
$36.57
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.18 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $36.75 to $36.57 (0.5%).
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
$36.75changed to$36.57
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense RVU 0.56 changed to 0.53
- Practice expense GPCI 1.081 changed to 1.065
- Malpractice GPCI 0.592 changed to 0.551
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$37.46changed to$36.75
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 0.55 changed to 0.56
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$36.85changed to$37.46
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$38.12changed to$36.85
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 0.54 changed to 0.55
- Practice expense GPCI 1.100 changed to 1.081
- Malpractice GPCI 0.603 changed to 0.592
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$38.50changed to$38.12
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.52 changed to 0.54
- Practice expense GPCI 1.118 changed to 1.100
- Malpractice GPCI 0.614 changed to 0.603
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$37.65changed to$38.50
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.49 changed to 0.52
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$38.15changed to$37.65
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.47 changed to 0.49
- Malpractice GPCI 0.661 changed to 0.614
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$37.29changed to$38.15
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.45 changed to 0.47
- Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.118
- Malpractice GPCI 0.708 changed to 0.661
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$39.66changed to$37.29
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.51 changed to 0.45
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$34.26changed to$39.66
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.38 changed to 0.51
- Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.117
- Malpractice GPCI 0.710 changed to 0.708
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$34.11changed to$34.26
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense GPCI 1.107 changed to 1.112
- Malpractice GPCI 0.712 changed to 0.710
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$34.49changed to$34.11
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.01
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$34.32changed to$34.49
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$33.85changed to$34.32
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Malpractice RVU 0.01 changed to 0.02
- Practice expense GPCI 1.087 changed to 1.107
- Malpractice GPCI 0.687 changed to 0.712
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$32.97changed to$33.85
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 0.41 changed to 0.38
- Practice expense GPCI 1.067 changed to 1.087
- Malpractice GPCI 0.661 changed to 0.687
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $32.97
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $36.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $36.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $36.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $36.57 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $36.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $36.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $36.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $36.75 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $37.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $37.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $37.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $37.46 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $36.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $38.12 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $38.12 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $38.12 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $38.12 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $38.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $38.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $38.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $38.50 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $37.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $37.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $37.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $37.65 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $38.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $38.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $38.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $38.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $37.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $37.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $37.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $37.29 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $39.66 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $39.66 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $39.66 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $39.66 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $34.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $34.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $34.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $34.26 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $34.11 | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $34.11 | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $34.11 | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $34.11 | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $34.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $34.49 | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $34.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $34.32 | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $33.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $33.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $33.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $33.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $32.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $32.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $32.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $32.97 | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Alaska rate applies
Alaska is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 355 cities and communities in Alaska. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Adak
- Akhiok
- Akiachak
- Akiak
- Akutan
- Alakanuk
- Alatna
- Alcan Border
97124 billing questions
When should 97124 be chosen instead of 97140?
Use 97124 for massage techniques such as stroking, kneading, or percussion. Use 97140 when the intervention is a manual therapy technique such as joint mobilization or manual traction.
How are units reported?
The code represents 15-minute units. Count the direct treatment time under applicable Medicare timed-code rules and document the time supporting the units billed.
Can 97124 and 97140 be reported on the same date?
They may describe distinct interventions, but the time and service for each must be separately supported; the same minutes cannot support both codes.
Does 97124 have a professional component?
No separate professional component is reported for this therapy service. A professional-component modifier does not apply.
How does the same-day therapy reduction affect 97124?
CMS reduces practice expense for the second and later therapy units furnished on the same day. The reduction is based on therapy-unit order that day.
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
Fee sheets
Put 97124 and the rest of your codes on one sheet
Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.
Build my fee sheet