AMA CPT® Assistant - 1996 Issue 7 (July)
New Codes for Central Nervous System Assessments/Tests (July 1996)
July 1996 pages 8-9 Coding Communication New Codes for Central Nervous System Assessments/Tests A new subsection, Central Nervous System Assessments/Tests (eg, Neuro-Cognitive, Mental Status, Speech Testing), has been added to the Medicine section of CPT 1996. This subsection was added to promote awareness of these procedure codes, as they are performed by various specialties, including primary-care physicians, and clearly not limited to any one specialty group. The subsection represents a relocation and regrouping of six CPT codes (see the chart on the next page for details). When reporting these codes, calculate to the nearest full hour the time spent...
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Article Overview
This CPT coding article is aimed at coders and clinicians who report central nervous system assessment and testing services. It describes the 1996 restructuring of these services within CPT, highlights the affected code changes, and outlines the types of testing covered across cognitive, language, developmental, neurobehavioral, and neuropsychological assessment categories. The article also places the changes in context with a 1995-to-1996 code comparison and general guidance on time reporting and documentation-related considerations.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps readers recognize that these services were regrouped in CPT and understand which areas of assessment were impacted, making it easier to review code placement and interpret the update in a coding workflow.
Article Sections
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July 1996 pages 8-9
Publication and coding communication context for the update. Introduces the broader CPT subsection changes and the purpose of the article.
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A Review of the Six Code Changes
Overview of the six code changes associated with the new subsection. Summarizes which services were moved and which descriptors were revised.
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Using the New Codes
General guidance on the types of central nervous system testing services addressed by the updated subsection. Describes the broad categories of assessment covered.
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CPT Code 96100
Discussion of one of the updated CPT entries with a related clinical illustration. Covers the surrounding context for psychological testing services.
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CPT Code 96105
Discussion of one of the updated CPT entries with a related clinical illustration. Covers the surrounding context for aphasia assessment services.
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CPT Code 96110
Discussion of one of the updated CPT entries used for limited developmental testing. Explains the broad screening-oriented context for this service.
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CPT Code 96111
Discussion of one of the updated CPT entries with a related clinical illustration. Covers the broader developmental testing context for extended assessment.
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CPT Codes 96115
Discussion of one of the updated CPT entries with a related clinical illustration. Covers the broader neurobehavioral assessment context for this service.
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CPT Code 96117
Discussion of one of the updated CPT entries with a related clinical illustration. Covers the broader neuropsychological testing context for this service.
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1995 and 1996 Code Comparisons
Side-by-side comparison of relocated codes across two CPT years. Provides a summary table showing how the updated code set was reorganized.
What You Will Learn
- How the 1996 CPT update reorganized central nervous system assessment and test services
- Which broad types of testing and assessment services are included in the new subsection
- How the article frames the relationship between older and newer CPT code placements
- What kinds of clinical scenarios are associated with these assessment categories
- How the update fits into the 1995-to-1996 code comparison context
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding educators
- Physicians and other clinicians who report testing services
- Documentation and compliance staff
Codes Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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