Full access
Professional News
Published Online: 9 August 2018

How to Code for Stable Psychotherapy Patient

Ellen JaffeAuthors Info & Affiliations
Publication: Psychiatrics News
Volume 53, Number 16
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2018.8b14
Track CitationsAdd to favorites
Q: I see a young patient every two weeks for 50 minutes, primarily for psychotherapy, and she is stable on her medication. I would like to know the most appropriate code(s) to use:
•
Just 90834, since I’m primarily doing psychotherapy
•
99213 and 90836
•
99212 and 90836
A: Since you are monitoring the patient’s reaction to her medication as well as providing psychotherapy, it could be appropriate for you to bill for the E/M as well as the psychotherapy. Since the patient is primarily presenting for psychotherapy and is stable, and you are not considering a change in medications or other management options, you probably are doing no more than a 99212 level of E/M. In this scenario, 99212 and 90836 appear to be the appropriate choice.
APA members who have questions about reimbursement, coding, documentation, and other related practice issues may contact the Practice Management HelpLine at [email protected] or (800) 343-4671. ■
Ellen Jaffe is the manager of APA’s Practice Management HelpLine.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric News
Psychiatrics News
Volume 53 • Number 16 • August 4, 2018 – August 17, 2018

History

Published online: 9 August 2018
Published in print: August 4, 2018 – August 17, 2018

Keywords

  1. CPT code
  2. psychotherapy
  3. APA Helpline

Authors

Details

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

View Options

View options

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.