S8990 — Physical or manipulative therapy performed for maintenance rather than restoration
S8990 is a HCPCS Level II code for physical or manipulative therapy performed for maintenance rather than restoration. It belongs to the Temporary National Codes (Non-Medicare) section. Medicare does not pay it — see the coverage note below before you bill it.
Medicare coverage: Not payable by Medicare
Medicare does not pay this code. It may still be valid for another payer, but a Medicare claim carrying it will not be reimbursed.
From the coverage field of the CMS Alpha-Numeric HCPCS File, release 2026Q3-Jul. This states Medicare’s position on the code, not on your particular claim.
Physician fee schedule statusI
Not valid for Medicare purposes. Medicare uses another code.
Global period: XXX
Want the dollar amount for your locality? The fee calculator applies your GPCI and the current conversion factor.
The CMS record for S8990
- Long descriptor
- Physical or manipulative therapy performed for maintenance rather than restoration
- Short descriptor
- Pt or manip for maint
- Added
- April 1, 2003
- BETOS
- Z2
- Pricing indicator
- 00 — Not priced by Part B
The official wording. This is what the code means.
CMS's 28-character form, which is what shows up on a remittance advice.
When CMS introduced the code.
Berenson-Eggers Type of Service — CMS's own analytic grouping.
Service not separately priced by Part B — not covered, bundled into another service, or used by Part A only.
Codes adjacent to S8990
HCPCS has no hierarchy — related items simply sit next to each other in the numbering. If S8990 is not quite right, the correct code is very often within a few positions of it.
- S8451Splint, prefabricated, wrist or ankle
- S8452Splint, prefabricated, elbow
- S8460Camisole, post-mastectomy
- S8490Insulin syringes (100 syringes, any size)
- S8930Electrical stimulation of auricular acupuncture points; each 15 minutes of personal one-on-one contact with the patient
- S8940Equestrian/hippotherapy, per session
- S8948Application of a modality (requiring constant provider attendance) to one or more areas; low-level laser; each 15 minutes
- S8950Complex lymphedema therapy, each 15 minutes
- S8999Resuscitation bag (for use by patient on artificial respiration during power failure or other catastrophic event)
- S9001Home uterine monitor with or without associated nursing services
- S9002Intra-vaginal motion sensor system, provides biofeedback for pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation device
- S9007Ultrafiltration monitor
- S9015Automated eeg monitoringterminated
- S9024Paranasal sinus ultrasound
- S9025Omnicardiogram/cardiointegram
- S9034Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for gall stones (if performed with ercp, use 43265)
Questions about S8990
What is HCPCS code S8990?
S8990 is a HCPCS Level II code for physical or manipulative therapy performed for maintenance rather than restoration. It sits in the Temporary National Codes (Non-Medicare) section.
Does Medicare cover S8990?
The CMS HCPCS file marks S8990 as "Not payable by Medicare". Medicare does not pay this code. It may still be valid for another payer, but a Medicare claim carrying it will not be reimbursed.
How is S8990 paid under the physician fee schedule?
S8990 carries PFS status code I. Not valid for Medicare purposes. Medicare uses another code.