E/M Coding Alert - 2015 Issue 13
Reader Questions: Don't Report Multiple Units of 90847 Per Family Member
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Article Overview
This reader Q&A addresses how a psychiatrist’s counseling of family members is handled for psychotherapy reporting. It is relevant to behavioral health coders, billers, and compliance staff who need to understand family psychotherapy versus group psychotherapy, related CPT coding distinctions, and how CCI edits and modifier use can affect reporting. The article focuses on general coding guidance and common mistakes to avoid when family members are counseled individually and as a group.
Why This Topic Matters
Family counseling encounters can be billed incorrectly if the service is mistaken for multiple psychotherapy units or for a true group psychotherapy session. Understanding the distinctions discussed in the article helps support more accurate claim submission and edit management.
What You Will Learn
- How the article distinguishes family psychotherapy from group psychotherapy
- How counseling sessions involving family members are discussed in relation to patient presence
- How coding edits and modifier use may affect psychotherapy reporting
- Common reporting pitfalls in mixed family and individual counseling scenarios
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billers
- Behavioral health coding specialists
- Compliance staff
- Psychiatry practice staff
Codes Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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