At our facility, an initial psychiatric diagnostic -interview and examination is conducted on each patient. However, since these examinations are performed by a therapist licensed to perform psychotherapy and not a psychiatrist (MD), may we report CPT code 90801 (DELETED IN 2013), Psychiatric diagnostic interview examination? ...
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Article Overview
This short coding guidance article explains a psychiatry billing question involving an initial diagnostic interview and examination performed in a facility setting by a nonphysician therapist. It is aimed at coders, billing staff, and behavioral health providers who need to understand the general reporting context, payer considerations, and the type of service being discussed.
Why This Topic Matters
Behavioral health practices often need clarity on whether services performed by nonphysician clinicians fit a specific CPT reporting category. This article matters because it highlights the relationship between the service performed, the clinician type, and payer-specific policies.
What You Will Learn
- The general scope of an initial psychiatric diagnostic interview and examination.
- How clinician type can affect reporting considerations.
- Why payer policy review is relevant for nonphysician behavioral health services.
- The kinds of service elements associated with psychiatric diagnostic evaluation.
Who Should Read This
- Psychiatry and behavioral health coders
- Billing and reimbursement staff
- Therapists and nonphysician mental health clinicians
- Practice administrators
Codes Discussed
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