This guide will discuss CPT® coding for behavioral health services. It includes services performed by psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists (CP), Clinical Social Workers (CSW, LCSW), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS), Nurse Practitioners (NP, APRN), Physician Assistants (PA), Independently Practicing Psychologists (IPP), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), and Mental Health Counselors (MHCs)

This guide will answer questions about how to code for:

• Initial evaluations
• Re-evaluations
• Medication management
• Psychotherapy

Some sections are separated by type of clinician, because physicians, NPs and PAs have a different scope of practice than psychologists, social workers and other licensed mental health professionals.

Starting in January 2024, Medicare began enrolling and paying for services performed by Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors.

Table of Contents

• The Purpose of This Guide
• Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation
• Medication Management
• Payer Policies for Behavioral Health Services
• Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors
• Codes 99202−99215
• Using Time
• Psychotherapy
• Psychotherapy for Patients in Crisis
• Interactive Complexity
• Diagnosis Coding for Behavioral Health Services
• Behavioral Health Services and Telemedicine
• Quick Reference Sheets

Other Coding Guides

• How Physician Services are Paid
• Risk Adjusted Diagnosis Coding for Medical Practices
• Critical Care Services
• More