Medical Billing and Coding Resources
A strong understanding of various codes that Psychiatry treatments comprise of is required to be able to successfully bill the claims. It is important for practices to bring in reliable and expert vendors to handle billing, to overcome unique psychiatry billing challenges. Outsourcing psychiatry billing services can reduce practices’ overhead costs, increase reimbursements, decrease claim denials, and rejections. This can enable practices to focus more on their patients rather than spending hours constructing and interpreting the billing reports.
Psychotherapy Codes There are two sets of psychotherapy codes. One set is the set of codes to report psychotherapy only i.e., CPT 90832- 30 minutes; CPT 90834-45 minutes; and CPT 90837- 60 minutes. While these are most frequently reported by social workers, psychologists and therapists, they can be reported by psychiatrists, psychiatric NPs, and PAs […]
Psychotherapy Codes There are two sets of psychotherapy codes. One set is the set of codes to report psychotherapy only i.e., CPT 90832- 30 minutes; CPT 90834-45 minutes; and CPT 90837- 60 minutes. While these are most frequently reported by social workers, psychologists and therapists, they can be reported by psychiatrists, psychiatric NPs, and PAs […]
While many psychologists and patients have adopted video conferencing for psychological treatment, that option is not viable for everyone because of technology and access limitations or preference concerns. Phone-only or audio-only therapy has solid evidence supporting its effectiveness and should be considered a viable option for care. However, audio-only therapy does have some unique aspects […]
New Cognitive Function Intervention Code Effective January 1, 2020, CPT code 97127 (cognitive function intervention, per day) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code G0515 are deleted and replaced with two new timed codes: a base code for the initial 15 minutes of cognitive function intervention (97129 CPT Code) and an add-on code for […]
Basics of Modifier 95 Modifier 95: Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system. The modifier 95 was introduced in 2017 and is different from CPT or procedure codes, and describes the claim. Synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified healthcare professional […]
Basics of 90834 CPT Code 90834: Psychotherapy, 45 minutes with a patient in an outpatient setting. 90832, 90834, and 90837 describe individual psychotherapy services for the patient and may include an informant. The patient is required to be present for all or most of the service. The codes include an ongoing assessment and adjustment of […]
90853 CPT Code Description 90853 CPT Code represents psychotherapy administered in a group setting, involving no more than 12 participants, facilitated by a trained therapist simultaneously providing therapy to these multiple patients. The group therapy session typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Personal and group dynamics are discussed and explored in a therapeutic setting allowing […]
90846 and 90847 Code Description The main difference between these codes is that the 90846 CPT code is used for appointments when the patient is not present, and the 90847 CPT code is used for appointments when the patient is present. Often, these appointments entail family participation in the treatment process of a person in […]
Psychotherapy Codes There are two sets of psychotherapy codes. One set is the set of codes to report psychotherapy only i.e., CPT 90832- 30 minutes; CPT 90834-45 minutes; and CPT 90837- 60 minutes. While these are most frequently reported by social workers, psychologists and therapists, they can be reported by psychiatrists, psychiatric NPs, and PAs […]
CPT Code 90837 Basics When CPT codes for psychotherapy were revised in 2017, it became possible to bill for longer therapy sessions. The one being addressed in this blog is CPT Code 90837, which is 53 minutes or more. Many of us spend 55 to 60 minutes with clients anyway because, for many clients, the […]
