CodingIntel

Medical coding resources for physicians and their staff. CodingIntel was founded by consultant and coding expert Betsy Nicoletti.

  • Become a member
  • E/M Changes for 2021
  • Learn More
    • What is CodingIntel?
    • Membership pricing
    • Free resources
      • Can I Get Paid
      • Nicoletti Notes
      • Everyday Coding Q&A
      • Newsletter Archives
      • NEW! Site map
  • Member Resources
    • NEW! Site map
    • Home
    • Articles
    • Coding Guides
    • Quick Reference Sheets
    • Webinars
  • Coding Education
    • Webinars
    • Courses
    • Specialty resources
    • HCC Coding Guide
    • Order print resources
  • My Account
    • Login
    • Logout
    • Manage Account

Coding Guide – Behavioral Health Services

2020 Behavioral Health Coding Guide


Also available in print form – ORDER HERE

The coding for psychiatric and psychotherapy services changed in 2013 and although that was years ago many psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs), and psychiatric physician assistants (PAs) are still adjusting to the change.

Psychologists, social workers and other licensed mental health professionals saw their coding change in 2013, although not as drastically.

This guide will answer questions about how to code for behavioral health services including:

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

In some sections, it is 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. If you provide psychiatry services, this guide is a must read!

Table of Contents

  • Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation
  • Medication Management
  • Psychotherapy
  • Psychotherapy for patients in Crisis
  • Quick Reference Charts
  • E/M Cheat Sheet

Login to download this guide


Watch Betsy’s 60 minute on-demand webinar “Coding for Behavioral Health Services” for a discussion of coding for services performed by therapists, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Webinars are free for members. Not a member? Find out how you can watch too!


Don’t have a login? Become a member, or learn more about the benefits of membership by clicking on the link below.

Get Unlimited Access to CodingIntel’s Online Library

Are you a coder, biller, administrator,
office manager or physician?

Learn more about the benefits of
a CodingIntel membership

click here!


Other Coding Guides

  • How Physician Services are Paid
  • Risk Adjusted Diagnosis Coding for Medical Practices
  • Critical Care Services
  • More
Relevant Search Terms: psychotherapy, crisis intervention, medication management, psychiatric evaluation, group therapy, family therapy, social worker, CPT® codes, billing, coding guidelines, mental health services, reporting, documentation, 90785, 90840, 90839, 90853, 90847, 90834, 90832, 90846, 90847, 90791, 90833, 90836, 90838, 90792

 

Last revised October 12, 2020 - Betsy
Tags: behavioral health, counseling, psychiatry

Looking for training on the new E/M Guidelines for 2021?

"Documentation Essentials for Codes 99202-99215 in 2021" is now available!

Take the two hour course on-demand, or sign up for one of our live events with Q&A.

Learn more

Latest Intel

Office Visit Fees in 2021

CMS released the updated conversion factor for … Read More...

CMS’s 2021 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule | Webinar

2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final … Read More...

Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule for Calendar Year 2021

If you haven't signed up already, register for the … Read More...

FAQ: Scoring the elements in the new E/M guidelines for 2021

Scoring elements can be challenging with the new … Read More...

Browse By Categories

Browse Content

  • Articles
  • Coding Guides
  • Everyday Coding Q&A
  • Videos
  • Can I Get Paid to
  • Blog
  • Webinars
  • Podcasts

Tags

behavioral health category of service CCM CMS Code sets and reimbursement Compliance compliance issues consults CPT®codes CPT® rules critical care Dermatology diagnosis coding Documentation Guidelines E/M other E/M services exam general surgery global surgery rules HCC HCPCS codes ICD-10 ICD-10-CM level of service MDM medical decision making Medicare Medicare rules modifiers new patient other E/M services Physician Billing physician coding preventive medicine preventive medicine services primary care procedure coding prolonged services psychiatry risk adjusted coding screening teaching physician rules telehealth using time to select a code Wellness Visits
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Our mission is to provide accurate, comprehensive, up-to-date coding information, allowing medical practices to increase revenue, decrease coding denials and reduce compliance risk. That's what coding knowledge can do.

In 1988, CodingIntel.com founder Betsy Nicoletti started a Medical Services Organization for a rural hospital, supporting physician practice. She has been a self-employed consultant since 1998. She estimates that in the last 20 years her audience members number over 28,400 at in person events and webinars. She has had 2,500 meetings with clinical providers and reviewed over 43,000 medical notes. She knows what questions need answers and developed this resource to answer those questions. For more about Betsy visit www.betsynicoletti.com.

Copyright 2021, CodingIntel
Privacy Policy