97018 Paraffin bath therapy
Also known as: Paraffin bath, Wax bath therapy, Paraffin therapy
Paraffin wax bath therapy for hands or feet for pain relief and joint mobility improvement. Involves immersion in heated paraffin wax.
In Plain Language
Hot wax bath for hand or foot pain
Clinical Context
Used for arthritis, post-operative stiffness, and pain management in small joints. Heat penetrates tissues and provides sustained warmth.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 0.06 |
| Total RVU | 0.06 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
Medicine section codes cover a wide range of non-surgical services. Documentation should include the clinical indication, procedure details, interpretation (if applicable), and any patient-specific findings.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 0.06, this code ranks in the 3rd percentile among Medicine codes — 13.0x below the median (0.78). The highest wRVU in this category is 23.92.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 97018?
CPT 97018 (Paraffin bath therapy) is a Medicine code. Paraffin wax bath therapy for hands or feet for pain relief and joint mobility improvement. Involves immersion in heated paraffin wax.
Who uses CPT code 97018?
CPT 97018 is used by Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Hand Therapy. Used for arthritis, post-operative stiffness, and pain management in small joints. Heat penetrates tissues and provides sustained warmth.
When is CPT 97018 used?
Used for arthritis, post-operative stiffness, and pain management in small joints. Heat penetrates tissues and provides sustained warmth.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.