CPT code 97542: Wheelchair training, assessment, fitting, and use2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alabama
A therapist assesses wheelchair needs, fits or adjusts the chair, and trains the patient to use it safely and effectively.
In Alabama, Medicare pays $29.08 for 97542 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 97542 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 97542 covers
Physical and occupational therapists use this service to assess a patient’s wheelchair needs, fit or adjust the chair, and provide skilled training in its use. Training may address safe operation, propulsion, and maneuvering in the patient’s mobility environment. It is commonly furnished in outpatient rehabilitation clinics and hospital settings when a patient needs instruction or an individualized wheelchair setup to support mobility.
Report the service in 15-minute units for skilled wheelchair assessment, fitting, or use training, and document the intervention, time, and patient’s response or progress. Distinguish wheelchair-specific instruction from broader self-care training or therapeutic activities. This is a therapy service, so a professional-component modifier does not apply. Under the therapy multiple procedure payment reduction, CMS reduces the practice-expense portion 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 Alabama compares for 97542
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 97542 runs from $28.83 in Arkansas to $39.88 in Alaska. Alabama pays $29.08. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Alabama · this page$29.08
- Los Angeles, CA · California$34.30+$5.22
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$34.58+$5.50
- Miami, FL · Florida$32.18+$3.10
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$31.68+$2.60
- Manhattan, NY · New York$34.67+$5.59
- Alaska · Alaska$39.88+$10.80
Other areas in Alabama first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $28.83 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $30.56 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $32.65 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $32.59 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $32.59 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $32.59 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $32.59 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $32.59 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $32.59 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $32.59 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $36.58 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $34.06 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $32.59 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $32.59 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $32.71 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $33.88 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $33.74 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $34.27 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $38.43 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $38.42 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $39.17 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $39.12 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $33.22 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $34.40 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $33.80 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $34.74 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $32.59 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $36.57 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $32.59 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $32.59 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $32.12 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $32.59 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $30.93 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $31.52 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $30.58 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $31.41 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $29.54 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $32.94 | — |
| IowaIowa | $29.61 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $29.71 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $30.23 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $29.97 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $31.83 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $29.82 | — |
| KansasKansas | $29.49 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $29.40 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $30.24 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $29.36 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $34.53 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $32.03 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $32.47 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $31.37 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $29.76 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $30.81 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $30.78 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $29.83 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $31.25 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $30.16 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $30.36 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $29.03 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $28.93 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $31.06 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $29.96 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $30.86 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $29.72 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $31.62 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $34.45 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $33.09 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $29.91 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $31.02 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $35.15 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $33.25 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $34.91 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $30.23 | — |
| OhioOhio | $29.79 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $29.42 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $32.87 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $30.90 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $32.02 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $29.84 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $31.22 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $31.82 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $29.90 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $30.84 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $29.57 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $31.91 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $29.72 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $30.99 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $31.10 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $30.96 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $31.03 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $31.21 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $30.28 | — |
| UtahUtah | $30.15 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $30.71 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $31.22 | — |
| VermontVermont | $30.75 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $31.97 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $35.14 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $30.21 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $29.28 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $30.98 | — |
97542 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.
$28.83
$39.88
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 | $39.88 | 1 |
| AL | $29.08 | 1 |
| AR | $28.83 | 1 |
| AZ | $30.56 | 1 |
| CA | $32.59–$39.17 | 29 |
| CO | $32.12 | 1 |
| CT | $32.59 | 1 |
| DC | $34.58 | 1 |
| DE | $30.93 | 1 |
| FL | $30.58–$32.18 | 3 |
| GA | $29.54–$31.41 | 2 |
| GU | $32.94 | 1 |
| HI | $32.94 | 1 |
| IA | $29.61 | 1 |
| ID | $29.71 | 1 |
| IL | $29.97–$31.83 | 4 |
| IN | $29.82 | 1 |
| KS | $29.49 | 1 |
| KY | $29.40 | 1 |
| LA | $29.36–$30.24 | 2 |
| MA | $32.03–$34.53 | 2 |
| MD | $31.37–$34.58 | 3 |
| ME | $29.76–$30.81 | 2 |
| MI | $29.83–$30.78 | 2 |
| MN | $31.25 | 1 |
| MO | $29.03–$30.36 | 3 |
| MS | $28.93 | 1 |
| MT | $31.06 | 1 |
| NC | $29.96 | 1 |
| ND | $30.86 | 1 |
| NE | $29.72 | 1 |
| NH | $31.62 | 1 |
| NJ | $33.09–$34.45 | 2 |
| NM | $29.91 | 1 |
| NV | $31.02 | 1 |
| NY | $30.23–$35.15 | 5 |
| OH | $29.79 | 1 |
| OK | $29.42 | 1 |
| OR | $30.90–$32.87 | 2 |
| PA | $29.84–$32.02 | 2 |
| PR | $31.22 | 1 |
| RI | $31.82 | 1 |
| SC | $29.90 | 1 |
| SD | $30.84 | 1 |
| TN | $29.57 | 1 |
| TX | $29.72–$31.91 | 8 |
| UT | $30.15 | 1 |
| VA | $30.71–$34.58 | 2 |
| VI | $31.22 | 1 |
| VT | $30.75 | 1 |
| WA | $31.97–$35.14 | 2 |
| WI | $30.21 | 1 |
| WV | $29.28 | 1 |
| WY | $30.98 | 1 |
How the 97542 rate is calculated
Each of 97542’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 · 97542
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.48
0.48 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.44
0.44 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.01
0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.9300
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$31.06
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Alabama inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
12,893
- Code
- 97542
- Physician work
- 0.48
- Practice expense
- 0.44
- Malpractice
- 0.01
GPCI2026.csv
4
- Locality
- Alabama
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.875
- Malpractice
- 0.566
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.48 | × 1.000 | 0.4800 |
| Practice expense | 0.44 | × 0.875 | 0.3850 |
| Malpractice | 0.01 | × 0.566 | 0.0057 |
| Total RVUs | 0.8707 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Alabama$29.08
Office: (0.48 × 1 + 0.44 × 0.875 + 0.01 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $29.08
Payment rules and modifiers for 97542
The CMS indicators that decide how 97542 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 97542
Wheelchair training, assessment, fitting, and use
| 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
97542 without CQ · national office
$31.06
Wheelchair training, assessment, fitting, and use
97542-CQ · Allowed amount unchanged
$31.06
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 97542 has changed in Alabama
97542 · Office / nonfacility
$29.08
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.44 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $28.64 to $29.08 (1.5%).
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
$28.64changed to$29.08
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Practice expense RVU 0.46 changed to 0.44
- Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.875
- Malpractice GPCI 0.575 changed to 0.566
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$29.48changed to$28.64
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$28.99changed to$29.48
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$30.21changed to$28.99
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
- Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$30.77changed to$30.21
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.44 changed to 0.46
- Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.01
- Practice expense GPCI 0.888 changed to 0.878
- Malpractice GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.748
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$31.02changed to$30.77
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$31.95changed to$31.02
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense GPCI 0.889 changed to 0.888
- Malpractice GPCI 0.707 changed to 0.921
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$31.77changed to$31.95
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense GPCI 0.890 changed to 0.889
- Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.707
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$32.05changed to$31.77
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.45 changed to 0.44
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$32.05
Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.
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, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $29.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $29.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $29.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $29.08 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $28.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $28.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $28.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $28.64 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $29.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $29.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $29.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $29.48 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $28.99 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $30.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $30.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $30.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $30.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $30.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $30.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $30.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $30.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $31.02 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $31.02 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $31.02 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $31.02 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $31.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $31.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $31.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $31.95 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $31.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $31.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $31.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $31.77 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $32.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $32.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $32.05 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | 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 Alabama rate applies
Alabama is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 595 cities and communities in Alabama. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abanda
- Abbeville
- Adamsville
- Addison
- Akron
- Alabaster
- Albertville
- Alexander City
97542 billing questions
When should I report wheelchair training instead of self-care training?
Report this code for skilled assessment, fitting, or instruction focused on wheelchair use. Use self-care training when the intervention focuses on daily living tasks rather than wheelchair-specific skills.
Is this code reported in timed units?
Yes. The service is reported in 15-minute units. Document the skilled wheelchair intervention and the time supporting the units billed.
Can wheelchair training and therapeutic activities be reported on the same date?
They may be reported together when each represents a distinct skilled intervention. Document the wheelchair-specific training separately from the therapeutic activities.
Does modifier 26 apply?
No. This is a therapy service, and the professional-component modifier does not apply.
How does the therapy multiple procedure payment reduction affect this code?
For the second and later therapy units furnished on the same day, CMS reduces the practice-expense portion of payment.
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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