CPT code 97163: PT evaluation, high complexity2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Montana
Report this evaluation when a physical therapist assesses a patient with complex needs, an unstable presentation, and high-complexity clinical decision making.
In Montana, Medicare pays $97.86 for 97163 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 97163 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 97163 covers
A physical therapist uses this code for an initial evaluation requiring high-complexity decision making, typically in an outpatient rehabilitation setting. The evaluation may involve a patient with multiple personal factors or comorbidities affecting the plan of care, findings across several body systems or functional areas, and an unstable, unpredictable presentation. The therapist integrates the history, examination, and assessment findings to establish the rehabilitation plan. The service typically takes 45 minutes, but it is reported as one untimed evaluation unit rather than billed in timed increments.
Select this level when the documented history, examination, clinical presentation, and decision making support high complexity—not simply because the visit lasted a particular amount of time. Record the relevant personal factors or comorbidities, examination findings, functional effects, instability or unpredictability, and reasoning behind the plan. CMS treats this as a therapy service, so a professional-component modifier does not apply. When multiple therapy units are furnished on the same day, practice expense is reduced for the second and later units.
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 97163: PT evaluation codes · Physical therapy CPT codes
How Montana compares for 97163
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 97163 runs from $91.20 in Arkansas to $126.43 in Alaska. Montana pays $97.86. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Montana · this page$97.86
- Los Angeles, CA · California$108.30+$10.44
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$108.88+$11.02
- Miami, FL · Florida$100.27+$2.41
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$98.89+$1.03
- Manhattan, NY · New York$108.82+$10.96
- Alaska · Alaska$126.43+$28.57
Other areas in Montana first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $91.96 | — |
| ArkansasArkansas | $91.20 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $96.39 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $103.14 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $103.01 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $103.01 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $103.01 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $103.01 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $103.01 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $103.01 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $103.01 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $115.60 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $107.57 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $103.01 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $103.01 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $103.17 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $107.07 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $106.63 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $108.29 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $121.47 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $121.46 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $123.74 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $123.69 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $104.99 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $108.70 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $106.80 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $109.76 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $103.01 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $115.58 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $103.01 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $103.01 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $101.36 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $102.51 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $97.53 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $98.73 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $96.00 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $98.82 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $92.95 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $104.04 | — |
| IowaIowa | $93.75 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $94.00 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $94.52 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $94.04 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $99.73 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $94.33 | — |
| KansasKansas | $93.27 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $92.72 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $95.19 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $92.55 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $108.88 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $101.06 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $102.13 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $98.90 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $94.05 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $97.33 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $96.48 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $93.90 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $98.97 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $95.05 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $95.65 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $91.50 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $91.37 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $94.66 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $97.67 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $94.11 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $99.71 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $108.50 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $104.20 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $94.11 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $97.85 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $110.15 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $104.63 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $109.69 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $95.46 | — |
| OhioOhio | $93.86 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $92.86 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $103.72 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $97.58 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $100.74 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $94.07 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $98.37 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $100.33 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $94.31 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $97.64 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $93.52 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $100.60 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $93.69 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $97.79 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $98.10 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $97.64 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $97.90 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $98.08 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $95.48 | — |
| UtahUtah | $95.06 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $96.98 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $98.37 | — |
| VermontVermont | $97.24 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $100.90 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $110.84 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $95.70 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $91.97 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $97.78 | — |
97163 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.
$91.20
$126.43
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 | $126.43 | 1 |
| AL | $91.96 | 1 |
| AR | $91.20 | 1 |
| AZ | $96.39 | 1 |
| CA | $103.01–$123.74 | 29 |
| CO | $101.36 | 1 |
| CT | $102.51 | 1 |
| DC | $108.88 | 1 |
| DE | $97.53 | 1 |
| FL | $96.00–$100.27 | 3 |
| GA | $92.95–$98.82 | 2 |
| GU | $104.04 | 1 |
| HI | $104.04 | 1 |
| IA | $93.75 | 1 |
| ID | $94.00 | 1 |
| IL | $94.04–$99.73 | 4 |
| IN | $94.33 | 1 |
| KS | $93.27 | 1 |
| KY | $92.72 | 1 |
| LA | $92.55–$95.19 | 2 |
| MA | $101.06–$108.88 | 2 |
| MD | $98.90–$108.88 | 3 |
| ME | $94.05–$97.33 | 2 |
| MI | $93.90–$96.48 | 2 |
| MN | $98.97 | 1 |
| MO | $91.50–$95.65 | 3 |
| MS | $91.37 | 1 |
| MT | $97.86 | 1 |
| NC | $94.66 | 1 |
| ND | $97.67 | 1 |
| NE | $94.11 | 1 |
| NH | $99.71 | 1 |
| NJ | $104.20–$108.50 | 2 |
| NM | $94.11 | 1 |
| NV | $97.85 | 1 |
| NY | $95.46–$110.15 | 5 |
| OH | $93.86 | 1 |
| OK | $92.86 | 1 |
| OR | $97.58–$103.72 | 2 |
| PA | $94.07–$100.74 | 2 |
| PR | $98.37 | 1 |
| RI | $100.33 | 1 |
| SC | $94.31 | 1 |
| SD | $97.64 | 1 |
| TN | $93.52 | 1 |
| TX | $93.69–$100.60 | 8 |
| UT | $95.06 | 1 |
| VA | $96.98–$108.88 | 2 |
| VI | $98.37 | 1 |
| VT | $97.24 | 1 |
| WA | $100.90–$110.84 | 2 |
| WI | $95.70 | 1 |
| WV | $91.97 | 1 |
| WY | $97.78 | 1 |
How the 97163 rate is calculated
Each of 97163’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 · 97163
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.54
1.54 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.38
1.38 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.01
0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.9300
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$97.86
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Montana inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
12,879
- Code
- 97163
- Physician work
- 1.54
- Practice expense
- 1.38
- Malpractice
- 0.01
GPCI2026.csv
71
- Locality
- Montana
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.998
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.54 | × 1.000 | 1.5400 |
| Practice expense | 1.38 | × 1.000 | 1.3800 |
| Malpractice | 0.01 | × 0.998 | 0.0100 |
| Total RVUs | 2.9300 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Montana$97.86
Office: (1.54 × 1 + 1.38 × 1 + 0.01 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $97.86
Payment rules and modifiers for 97163
The CMS indicators that decide how 97163 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 97163
PT evaluation, high complexity
| 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
97163 without CQ · national office
$97.86
PT evaluation, high complexity
97163-CQ · Allowed amount unchanged
$97.86
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 97163 has changed in Montana
97163 · Office / nonfacility
$97.86
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.12 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $97.98 to $97.86 (0.1%).
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
$97.98changed to$97.86
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense RVU 1.45 changed to 1.38
- Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.01
- Malpractice GPCI 0.978 changed to 0.998
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$100.17changed to$97.98
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.43 changed to 1.45
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$98.53changed to$100.17
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$101.63changed to$98.53
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 1.42 changed to 1.43
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$102.38changed to$101.63
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.35 changed to 1.42
- Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.04
- Malpractice GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.978
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$101.85changed to$102.38
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 1.33 changed to 1.35
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.07
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$88.25changed to$101.85
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Work RVU 1.20 changed to 1.54
- Practice expense RVU 1.18 changed to 1.33
- Malpractice GPCI 1.304 changed to 0.977
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$87.63changed to$88.25
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 1.15 changed to 1.18
- Malpractice GPCI 1.631 changed to 1.304
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$86.81changed to$87.63
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 1.13 changed to 1.15
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$84.08changed to$86.81
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 1.00 changed to 1.13
- Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.05
- Malpractice GPCI 1.429 changed to 1.631
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
April 1, 2017
RVU17B
$83.37changed to$84.08
- Practice expense RVU 0.98 changed to 1.00
Held through RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
No ratechanged to$83.37
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $97.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $97.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $97.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $97.86 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $97.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $97.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $97.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $97.98 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $100.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $100.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $100.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $100.17 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $98.53 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $101.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $101.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $101.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $101.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $102.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $102.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $102.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $102.38 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $101.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $101.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $101.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $101.85 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $88.25 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $88.25 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $88.25 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $88.25 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $87.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $87.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $87.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $87.63 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $86.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $86.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $86.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $86.81 | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $84.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $84.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $84.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $83.37 | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13AR |
Where the Montana rate applies
Montana is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 497 cities and communities in Montana. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Absarokee
- Acton
- Alberton
- Alder
- Alzada
- Amsterdam
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
- Antelope
97163 billing questions
When should 97163 be chosen instead of 97162?
Use 97163 when the documented evaluation supports high-complexity decision making and an unstable, unpredictable presentation. A longer visit alone does not distinguish it from the moderate-complexity evaluation.
Is 97163 billed in timed units?
No. It is reported as one untimed evaluation unit; the typical 45-minute service time is not a timed-unit threshold.
What documentation supports high complexity?
Document the relevant personal factors or comorbidities, examination findings across the assessed functional areas, the unstable or unpredictable presentation, and how those findings informed the plan of care.
Can a professional-component modifier be appended?
No. CMS identifies 97163 as a therapy service for which the professional-component modifier does not apply.
How does the same-day therapy reduction affect payment?
CMS reduces practice expense for the second and later therapy units furnished on the same day. The evaluation itself remains one untimed unit.
When is 97164 more appropriate?
Use 97164 for a physical therapy re-evaluation of an established plan of care, rather than for the initial high-complexity evaluation represented by 97163.
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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