Alcohol, depression screening, behavior codes still a problem for providers

Article Overview

This article examines Medicare claims denials tied to common depression screening, behavioral assessment, and alcohol misuse screening/counseling services. It is aimed at clinicians, coders, and billing staff who want to understand why these preventive and behavioral health claims can be problematic and what general guidance is available from Medicare and CMS. The discussion centers on documentation, screening timing, counseling context, and broader behavioral health service pathways.