icd code for clinical psychotherapy

by Prof. Imani Hoppe 4 min read

The most common ICD 10 codes for mental and behavioral health therapists and practitioners are:

  • F32.9 Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified
  • F32.0 Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild
  • F32.1 Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild
  • F32.1 Major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate
  • F32.2 Major depressive disorder, single episode,...

Code 90785 may be reported with codes for diagnostic evaluation (90791), psychotherapy (90832, 90834, 90837) and group psychotherapy (90853).

Full Answer

What are the mental health diagnosis codes?

  • REV: ICD-?-CM Revision (9/10)
  • CODE: ICD-9 or 10 Code (no dot)
  • DESC: Description (ICD-10: Long, ICD-9: Short)
  • MEN: 0/1 Mental disorder typically included in MHRN analyses
  • DEM: Dementia
  • ALC: Alcohol use disorder
  • DRU: Drug use disorder
  • PSY: Psychotic disorder or symptoms
  • SCH: Schizophrenia spectrum disorder
  • OPD: Other (non-schizophrenic) psychotic disorder

More items...

What CPT code is used for Psych testing?

The technician and computer CPT codes for psychological and neuropsychological tests include practice expense, malpractice expense and professional work relative value units. Accordingly, CPT psychological test code 96101 should not be paid when billed for the same tests or services performed under psychological test codes 96102 or 96103.

What are DSM diagnosis codes?

Mental retardation

  • 317 Mild mental retardation
  • 318.0 Moderate mental retardation
  • 318.1 Severe mental retardation
  • 318.2 Profound mental retardation
  • 319 Mental retardation; severity unspecified

Are CPT codes diagnosis codes?

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes are numbers assigned to each task and service a healthcare provider offers. They include medical, surgical, and diagnostic services. Insurers use the numbers to determine how much money to pay a provider.

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What is the ICD-10 code for psychotherapy?

Individual Psychotherapy, Cognitive-Behavioral ICD-10-PCS GZ58ZZZ is a specific/billable code that can be used to indicate a procedure.

What is the diagnosis code for therapy?

Z71. 9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

Do therapists use ICD codes?

DSM is ICD–DSM directs therapists to the correct ICD diagnosis codes they need to bill. This brings us back to our critical question, how are CPT and ICD related? The relationship between an ICD code and a CPT code is that the diagnosis supports the medical necessity of the treatment.

What is the procedure code for psychotherapy?

90834 – Psychotherapy 45 minutes. 90837 – Psychotherapy 60 minutes. Some health insurance companies may consider 90834 as the standard psychotherapy session.

How do you bill for group psychotherapy?

The CPT codes 90849 and 90853 are used when people with similar issues or conditions are treated in a group.

What is the CPT code for 50 minute psychotherapy session?

90834Therapists who conduct a traditional 50-minute therapy session should be aware that these should generally be billed as a 90834, as less than 53 minutes are spent in clinical discussion and therapy.

What is the ICD 10 code for mental health?

Mental disorder, not otherwise specified F99 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM F99 became effective on October 1, 2021.

What coding system is used in mental health for diagnosis?

DSM-5DSM-5 Codes — All therapists are familiar with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is the handbook used by health care professionals as the authoritative guide to the diagnosis of mental disorders. The current version is DSM-5.

How often can you bill 90837?

CPT code 90837 is another one of the most common CPT codes used by mental health professionals along with 90834 and 90791. Its typical use is for a normal psychotherapy session with a client. Insurers will reimburse this code only once per day, and some only as frequently as twice per week.

What is the difference between 90837 and 90838?

For 38 to 52 minutes of psychotherapy, you would use the 45-minute code, either 90834 or 90836; and for 53 minutes and beyond, you would use 90837 or 90838, the 60-minute codes.

What is the difference between 90837 and 90847?

90847 involves family group therapy whereas 90837 is an individual session. The time frame is also different. 90837 sessions must be at least 53 minutes, and 90847 must be at least 26 minutes.

What is the code for psychotherapy?

Code 90785 may be reported with codes for diagnostic evaluation (90791), psychotherapy (90832, 90834, 90837) and group psychotherapy (90853).

How long is a psychotherapy code?

The time for each psychotherapy code is described as time spent with the patient and/or family, and although the time for each code is specific (30, 45 or 60 minutes), the coding manual allows for some flexibility.

What is pharmacologic management?

Pharmacologic management, including prescription and review of medication, when performed with psychotherapy services (List separately in addition to the code for primary procedure)

What is an add on code?

Add-on codes identify an additional part of the treatment above and beyond the principal service. Both the principal service code and add-on code should be listed on the billing form.

What is the add on code for interactive complexity?

Add-on code 90785 for Interactive complexity refers to factors that complicate the delivery of a mental health procedure.

How long is a crisis psychiatric session?

It is billed for the first 60 minutes of psychotherapy for a patient in crisis. If/when the crisis psychotherapy session lasts longer than 60 minutes, the add-on code, 90840, can be billed for each additional 30 minutes of psychotherapy for crisis.

Can telehealth be used for psychotherapy?

There are Psychotherapy services that can be provided via telehealth. See additional information.

What is the ICd 10 code for mental health?

ICD-10 diagnosis codes for mental health cover a range of “F-codes” between: F10.50 to F99.

When was ICd 9 updated?

ICD-9 was updated to ICD-10 coding on October 1st, 2015. Coding changed from the use of ICD-9 diagnoses to ICD-10 diagnoses to match the recent DSM5 update in 2013, enumerating many more diagnoses.

What is a Z code?

Z-Codes are diagnosis codes related to factors influencing the health status of an individual or conditions relating to that individual warranting clinical attention. For mental health providers, Z-code diagnoses are often best rendered alongside a F-Code diagnoses. ( Source) ( Source)

What is root operation in psychotherapy?

It is defined as Treatment of an individual with a mental health disorder by behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, psychodynamic or psychophysiological means to improve functioning or well-being.

What is monitoring and alteration of physiological processes?

Monitoring and alteration of physiological processes to help the individual associate physiological reactions combined with cognitive and behavioral strategies to gain improved control of these processes to help the individual cope more effectively

Psychotherapy Medical Billing & Coding Guide for 2021

Neolytix has compiled this psychotherapy medical billing 101-guide to help mental health practices everywhere get up to speed with the new rules.

Commonly Used CPT Codes in Psychotherapy Medical Billing

There are many CPT codes currently used by mental health professional that can be reported under the following categories:

When to Use Psychotherapy CPT Codes

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines psychotherapy as:

Different CPT Codes for Psychotherapy Services Rendered

Each CPT code describes a specific medical, diagnostic, or surgical procedure or service. These codes were created by the AMA to reflect the service rendered by the provider. In choosing a CPT code, the medical coder must select the code that best reflects the service rendered by the healthcare professional.

Incident-To Guidelines in Psychotherapy Medical Billing

It is common for multiple healthcare professionals to work together in providing care for patients. When a non-physician provider furnishes services to a physician professional, incident-to guidelines are used for billing under the provider’s NPI.

Modifiers Used in Psychotherapy Medical Billing

Modifiers are used to show that a medical service or procedure has been altered by some specific circumstance but has not been changed in its definition or code.

Proper Documentation for Psychotherapy Medical Billing

Documentation plays the essential role of explaining the medical necessity of procedures rendered by the provider. All documentation must comply with legal/regulatory requirements of the state in which the provider practices.

90791: Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation (Initial Assessment)

A psychiatric diagnostic evaluation is an integrated biopsychosocial assessment, including client history, mental status, and treatment recommendations. It may include communication with family or other sources and review, and ordering of diagnostic studies.

90847: Family or Couples Therapy with the Patient Present

Used for face-to-face or telehealth couples and family psychotherapy sessions of 26 minutes or longer.

Common Add-On Codes

Add-on codes are CPT Codes that are listed separately for services that are performed in conjunction with a Primary Service. Add-on codes are only eligible for payment if it accompanies the appropriate Primary Service. If the Primary Service is denied for whatever reason, the add-on code will also be denied.

How often are CPT codes updated?

The world of medicine and behavioral health is always changing and, as a result, CPT codes are updated yearly to maintain accuracy. That doesn’t mean the ones you normally use are different than before—they probably aren’t—but you need to be aware of any possible changes so you can remain precise.

Why do insurance companies use CPT codes?

The primary reason for psychotherapy CPT codes is so insurance companies know what they need to reimburse practitioners for services. So, if you want to be paid what you deserve, you need to ensure you are using the proper codes. Additionally, insurance companies do not like to pay for anything more than they have to.

How long is a 90832 CPT session?

This may be the most used code in mental health. 90832 CPT Code-30 minute psychotherapy session (16 to 37 minutes) The 30 minute session is rarer but has occurred with increasing frequency in the telemedicine age. Note that you can see someone for only 16 minutes and still use this code.

Why are CPT codes important?

What are CPT Codes? In 1966, the American Medical Association created CPT codes to help standardize billing across different disciplines and work environments.

What happens if you use CPT codes incorrectly?

If they suspect you are using codes incorrectly, your services may be subject to an audit. If you depend on insurance for your paycheck you will need to learn the relevant CPT codes. The Most Popular Psychotherapy CPT Codes for Mental Health. The following are the CPT codes most often used by behavioral health practitioners:

What is the modifier 95 for telehealth?

The AMA has addressed the use of telemedicine by using modifiers rather than introducing entirely new codes. In behavioral health, the modifier 95 is added to the original code to signify teletherapy.

What is CPT code for psychology?

CPT Codes for Psychology Services. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT codes) are used by psychologists and other mental health professionals in order to bill their services to an insurance company or Medicaid. This is not a complete list, but simply a list of some of the most commonly used CPT codes in mental health and psychology services, ...

How long is a psychotherapy session?

Most traditional face-to-face, individual psychotherapy sessions should be billed only for 45 minutes (90834). Get to know this code, it is your friend. Most mental health clinicians and therapists should use code 90791 for billing for an intake interview and 90847 for family therapy.

What is a non-facility coding?

A “facility” in the text below refers only to a hospital, surgical center, or skilled nursing facility. If you’re not providing services in one of those kinds of locations, you should use the “non-facility” coding. Most psychologists and therapists should use the “non-facility” coding, unless they are working in a hospital or related facility.

Who is responsible for billing CPT?

The individual clinician is always responsible for ensuring they are using the most accurate and appropriate CPT billing code when billing for services provided, regardless of who does the actual billing on the clinician’s behalf.

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