AMA CPT® Assistant - 2013 Issue 12 (December)
Medicine: Psychiatry (Q&A) (Bonus December 2013)
December 2013 page 18 Medicine: Psychiatry Question: The coding guidelines for Psychiatric Diagnostic Procedures indicate the following: "Codes 90791 , 90792 are used for the diagnostic assessment(s) or reassessment(s), if required, and do not include psychotherapeutic services. Psychotherapy services, including for crisis, may not be reported on the same day." Does this mean that a patient's family psychotherapy session reported with code 90846 , {Family psychotherapy (without the patient present)}, or code 90847 , {Family psychotherapy (conjoint psychotherapy) (with patient present)}, could not be billed on the same day as a psychiatric diagnostic evaluation ( 90791 , 90792 ), even if the...
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Article Overview
This premium article discusses psychiatry coding guidance from CPT Assistant related to psychiatric diagnostic procedures and family psychotherapy. It is aimed at coders, billers, and compliance staff who need to understand how the article frames same-day reporting issues, the role of diagnostic assessment, and how family involvement may be viewed in the context of an evaluation versus a separate psychotherapy service.
Why This Topic Matters
Psychiatry reporting can involve overlapping assessment and therapy services, so understanding the article helps support accurate charge capture and reduce claim issues tied to same-day service reporting.
Article Sections
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December 2013 page 18
A psychiatry coding question and answer from CPT Assistant discussing same-day reporting considerations for diagnostic evaluation and family psychotherapy services. The section focuses on how the article frames the relationship between evaluation, family involvement, and separate service reporting.
What You Will Learn
- The article’s general guidance on psychiatry diagnostic evaluation and psychotherapy reporting
- How the content distinguishes an evaluation from a psychotherapy service
- Why same-day reporting is a key issue in this psychiatry coding topic
- How family participation is discussed in relation to an initial assessment
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Psychiatry billing staff
- Revenue cycle staff
- Compliance professionals
- Physician practices
- Mental health providers
Codes Discussed
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