decisionhealth Newsletters, Part B News - 2013 Issue 1 (January)
Avoid denials with proper billing of depression screenings, AWVs
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Article Overview
This article covers Medicare billing guidance for depression screening in the context of annual wellness visits, including how initial and subsequent AWVs differ and when a separate screening service may be considered. It also discusses the relationship between depression screening and E/M services, along with the compliance concerns that can arise if billing requirements are not met. The content is aimed at practices and coders who handle preventive visit billing and want to avoid denials or audit risk.
Why This Topic Matters
Correctly distinguishing bundled services from separately reportable services helps prevent claim denials, recoupments, and audit exposure. The guidance is especially relevant for teams billing preventive visits and behavioral health-related screening services under Medicare.
What You Will Learn
- How depression screening relates to initial and subsequent annual wellness visits
- When a depression screening service may be considered separately reportable
- How screening findings can lead into separately billed evaluation and management services
- Why compliance and documentation matter when billing preventive and screening services
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Practice managers
- Physician offices
- Compliance teams
Codes Discussed
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