Why these codes are not interchangeable on a Medicare claim
CPT 97014 is not recognized for Medicare payment. A CMS Medicare Coverage Database article that applies to the listed contractor jurisdictions describes HCPCS G0283 for certain unattended electrical-stimulation services to one or more areas, for indications other than wound care, when furnished as part of an outpatient therapy plan of care and when the service meets the code description. Because coverage articles can be jurisdiction-specific and change over time, confirm the current MAC policy for the service date and location.
That narrow description is not a rule to replace every 97014 entry with G0283. The code must match what was actually furnished and the current policy for the service date and jurisdiction.
Check the service, not just the equipment
Before correcting or submitting a claim, confirm whether the service was unattended or involved constant, direct contact; the indication; whether it was part of the therapy plan of care; and the documentation required by the applicable Medicare Administrative Contractor. Wound-care electrical stimulation has separate coding and coverage considerations. Other electrical-stimulation services may use different codes.
The equipment alone does not determine the code. Review the code descriptor and the CMS Medicare Coverage Database article only if it applies to the claim’s jurisdiction, then check the current MAC instructions for the date of service and location.
A safe claim-review test
Ask: What service was delivered? Was it attended or unattended? What was the indication? Does the plan of care and record support the service? Which current code and coverage rules apply? If any answer is unclear, resolve it before changing the code.
This is a general Medicare coding explainer, not individualized coding advice. Do not apply G0283 to every e-stim service or use it to infer another payer’s rule.