Reporting Tobacco Cessation, Alcohol and Substance Use Counseling, Screening, and Intervention (September 2024)

Why This Topic Matters

These services are commonly performed in primary care and other outpatient settings, and correct reporting affects claim submission, preventive service identification, and compliance with CPT and payer-specific requirements. The article helps readers understand the scope of the guidance and the broader clinical and billing context without replacing the full premium content.

Article Sections

1. Smoking and Tobacco Cessation Counseling

   This section discusses the preventive screening and counseling background for tobacco use and the related USPSTF recommendation. It also identifies supporting resources and the general clinical context for cessation counseling.

2. Smoking and Tobacco Cessation Counseling: CPT Coding Guidance

   This section addresses CPT reporting considerations for tobacco cessation counseling services. It focuses on the service category, documentation context, and where readers can find additional related guidance.

3. Alcohol and/or Substance Use Screening and Brief Intervention

   This section summarizes current USPSTF guidance for unhealthy alcohol use and unhealthy drug use screening. It also describes the broader screening and brief intervention context and the tools referenced in the article.

4. Alcohol and/or Substance Use Screening and Brief Intervention: CPT Coding Guidance

   This section covers CPT reporting considerations for alcohol and substance use screening and brief intervention services. It emphasizes the service context and how the article frames initial screening and intervention reporting.

5. Use of Modifiers

   This section discusses modifier application in connection with these preventive counseling and screening services. It also addresses reporting in conjunction with evaluation and management services and telemedicine encounters.

6. Conclusion

   This section provides a brief summary of the article’s overall purpose and reinforces the importance of these preventive services. It also notes that payer policies may differ from CPT guidance.

7. Clinical Example (99406) / Description of Procedure (99406)

   This section presents a representative clinical scenario and procedural description associated with a tobacco cessation counseling code. It is included as paired example-and-procedure content.

8. Clinical Example (99407) / Description of Procedure (99407)

   This section presents a representative clinical scenario and procedural description associated with a tobacco cessation counseling code. It is included as paired example-and-procedure content.

9. Clinical Example (99408) / Description of Procedure (99408)

   This section presents a representative clinical scenario and procedural description associated with an alcohol or substance use screening and brief intervention code. It is included as paired example-and-procedure content.

10. Clinical Example (99409) / Description of Procedure (99409)

    This section presents a representative clinical scenario and procedural description associated with an alcohol or substance use screening and brief intervention code. It is included as paired example-and-procedure content.