AMA CPT® Assistant - 2006 Issue 11 (November)
Central Nervous System Assessments and Tests (November 2006)
November 2006 pages 15-20 Coding Communication:Central Nervous System Assessments and Tests For CPT 2006, extensive changes have occurred in the section that describes central nervous system assessments and tests (96101-96103 and 96116-96120). As a result, it is important to become familiar with this CPT code set, which identifies the various ways to define and report psychological testing, neuropsychological testing, and the neurobehavioral status exam. These changes were made to distinguish whether a physician, psychologist, technician, and/or a computer performed the test. Also, it was clarified that all tests must be interpreted by a qualified health care professional. Code sets...
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Article Overview
This CPT Assistant article explains the 2006 framework for central nervous system assessment and test reporting. It is intended for coders, clinicians, and billing staff who need to understand the structure of the related CPT families, the role of qualified health care professionals, and the distinctions among assessment modalities, administration methods, and reporting scenarios. The article also discusses time-based reporting concepts, the relationship between older and newer codes, and general coding considerations for these service categories.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate reporting of these services depends on recognizing which CPT family applies and how the service was performed. The article helps readers orient themselves to the updated code structure and the documentation concepts that support correct use of these assessments and tests.
Article Sections
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November 2006 pages 15-20
Publication and issue information for the article.
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Coding Communication: Central Nervous System Assessments and Tests
Overview of the article’s purpose and the CPT 2006 changes affecting central nervous system assessment and testing services.
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Psychological Testing: 96101-96103
General discussion of the psychological testing family, including service structure, reporting concepts, and differences among the codes in the series.
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Code 96101
Discussion of the physician or psychologist pathway within the psychological testing family, including how the service is described and documented.
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Clinical Example: 96101
Illustrative scenario showing the type of clinical setting and service context associated with this code.
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Description of Procedure (96101)
Narrative summary of the workflow and documentation elements associated with the service.
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Code 96102
Discussion of the technician-administered pathway within the psychological testing family and the related professional oversight concepts.
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Clinical Example: 96102
Illustrative scenario showing the type of clinical setting and service context associated with this code.
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Description of Procedure (96102)
Narrative summary of the workflow and documentation elements associated with the service.
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Code 96103
Discussion of the computer-administered pathway within the psychological testing family and the related professional oversight concepts.
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Clinical Example: 96103
Illustrative scenario showing the type of clinical setting and service context associated with this code.
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Description of Procedure (96103)
Narrative summary of the workflow and documentation elements associated with the service.
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Coding Tip
General notes on how the psychological testing codes are discussed together in the article.
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Neurobehavioral Status Exam and Neuropsychological Testing: 96116-96120
Overview of the newer neurobehavioral and neuropsychological testing families, including their relationship to prior code structures.
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Neurobehavioral Status Exam: 96116
General discussion of the neurobehavioral status exam and how it fits into the broader assessment process.
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Code 96116
Discussion of the physician or psychologist pathway for the neurobehavioral status exam and its reporting context.
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Clinical Example: 96116
Illustrative scenario showing the type of clinical setting and service context associated with this code.
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Description of Procedure (96116)
Narrative summary of the workflow and documentation elements associated with the service.
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Neuropsychological Testing: 96118-96120
General discussion of the neuropsychological testing family, including service structure, assessment domains, and reporting concepts.
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Code 96118
Discussion of the physician or psychologist pathway within the neuropsychological testing family and the related reporting context.
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Clinical Example: 96118
Illustrative scenario showing the type of clinical setting and service context associated with this code.
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Description of Procedure (96118)
Narrative summary of the workflow and documentation elements associated with the service.
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Code 96119
Discussion of the technician-administered pathway within the neuropsychological testing family and the related professional oversight concepts.
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Clinical Example: 96119
Illustrative scenario showing the type of clinical setting and service context associated with this code.
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Description of Procedure (96119)
Narrative summary of the workflow and documentation elements associated with the service.
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Code 96120
Discussion of the computer-administered pathway within the neuropsychological testing family and the related professional oversight concepts.
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Clinical Example: 96120
Illustrative scenario showing the type of clinical setting and service context associated with this code.
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Description of Procedure (96120)
Narrative summary of the workflow and documentation elements associated with the service.
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Coding Tip
General notes on how the neuropsychological and psychological testing codes are discussed together in the article.
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Final Note
Closing remarks about when these assessment and testing services are typically reported.
What You Will Learn
- How the article organizes central nervous system assessment and testing services into related CPT families.
- How the article distinguishes between general psychological testing, neurobehavioral status examination, and neuropsychological testing.
- How the article addresses the roles of physicians, psychologists, technicians, computers, and other qualified health care professionals.
- How the article discusses time-based reporting and session-based reporting concepts for these services.
- How the article relates newer CPT code families to earlier deleted or replaced codes.
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Compliance staff
- Psychologists
- Physicians
- Neuropsychology practices
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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