CMS 8-minute rule: billable units for timed codes
Medicare billable units for timed (15-minute) therapy codes from the total timed minutes, with units allocated across up to four codes.
Inputs
0 of 1min
Optional
min
Optional
min
Optional
min
When to use
- Billing Medicare Part B for timed one-on-one therapy codes on one date of service.
Pearls and pitfalls
- Untimed (service-based) codes and their minutes are not counted.
- When two codes are each under 8 minutes but together reach 8, bill one unit of the code with more minutes.
- Some payers do not follow the CMS rule; check the payer's policy.
Why use
Units and their allocation across codes, from the CMS manual.
Total timed minutes: 8–22 = 1 unit, 23–37 = 2, 38–52 = 3, 53–67 = 4, 68–82 = 5, 83–97 = 6; then 1 more unit per 15 minutes