AMA CPT® Assistant - 2002 Issue 3 (March)
Use of the Health and Behavioral Assessment Codes (March 2002)
March 2002 pages 4-6 Coding Communication Use of the Health and Behavioral Assessment Codes Many services performed by psychologists and other non-physician (ie, non-MD/DO) practitioners are performed to enhance a patients overall health. This includes but is not limited to a number of types of psychotherapy services, as well as other mental health procedures intended to treat designated, diagnosed mental illness. Sometimes, however, these services are offered to a patient who presents with established illnesses or symptoms who are not diagnosed with mental illnesses. Instead of treating a particular illness, these services are intended to assess and address certain...
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Article Overview
This article covers the March 2002 CPT coding communication on health and behavioral assessment services, including the purpose of the new code family, its intended users, general reporting guidance, and illustrative vignette-based examples. It is relevant to coders, billing staff, and clinicians working with behavioral health services tied to physical health conditions, especially in nonphysician settings. The article also discusses how the new guidance fits alongside psychiatry and evaluation and management reporting.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps readers understand whether a service belongs in the health and behavior assessment/intervention code family and how the 2002 CPT guidance affects reporting for nonphysician practitioners and related clinical situations.
Article Sections
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Coding Communication
Introductory discussion of why the new code family was created and the general purpose of the guidance.
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Guideline and Code Descriptor Changes
Summary of the 2002 CPT changes, including the general scope of the new assessment and intervention services and reporting considerations.
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Reporting the Codes
Overview of who may report the services, how they relate to psychiatry and evaluation and management reporting, and other general use limitations.
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Clinical Vignette for 96150 / Description of Procedure
Example-based discussion of an assessment scenario illustrating the type of service described in the article.
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Clinical Vignette for 96151 / Description of Procedure
Example-based discussion of a reassessment scenario and the associated procedural narrative.
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Clinical Vignette for 96152 / Description of Procedure
Example-based discussion of an intervention scenario and the related treatment approach.
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Clinical Vignette for 96153 / Description of Procedure
Example-based discussion of a group intervention scenario and its procedural elements.
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Clinical Vignette for 96154 / Description of Procedure
Example-based discussion of a family intervention scenario and its procedural elements.
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Clinical Vignette for 96155 / Description of Procedure
Example-based discussion of a family-focused intervention scenario involving home support and coordination.
What You Will Learn
- The purpose and scope of the health and behavioral assessment code family
- How the article frames reporting guidance for nonphysician practitioners
- How the article distinguishes these services from psychiatry and evaluation and management coding
- What kinds of clinical scenarios are used to illustrate the code family
- How the article presents assessment, reassessment, and intervention as related service categories
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing and reimbursement staff
- Psychologists
- Advanced practice nurses
- Clinical social workers
- Other nonphysician healthcare professionals
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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