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Urgent Question:
For Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse Services- For Medicare- Both IA & NE- is this code billable or do we have to bill similar CPT codes that would serve this purpose and are billable?
Also, how many units are billable for this service?
If 96127 is not billable- does anyone know of other CPT codes that would cover the same type of service as 96127- for MDs, Nurse Practitioners, and Licensed Therapists?
Thanks.
I know we should not be coding symptoms but theres’s a code for insomnia due to depression..what’s your input?
thank you
MBooker, CPC
I recently read that you are allowed to bill G0444 Depression Screening during a subsequent (G0439) Medicare Wellness Visit. Does anyone know if the PHQ-9 screener qualifies for billing? Also, if our provider reviews and discusses POLST and Advance Care Planning during the same visit, do you see any problems with billing all three at the same visit? G0439, G0444, 99497 (Does G0444 require the same -33 modifier as the advance care planning so the copay and deductible are waived?)
Thanks, in advance!! I appreciate any input!
Im finding on forums and AAFP article that once the patient is diagnosed with depression (even at the screening appointment) you can no longer use the screening code. It would become part of the E/M service; however I cannot locate the specific source for this information. Can anyone help me locate the source to support this? We have varying opinions in our office so hoping to find something definitive from a reliable source to clear this up.
Any help is much appreciated.
For Denominator Exclusion the definition:
‘Not Eligible for Depression Screening or Follow-Up Plan (Denominator Exclusion)
Patient has an active diagnosis of depression prior to any encounter during the measurement period- F01.51, F32.0, F32.1, F32.2, F32.3, F32.4, F32.5, F32.89, F32.9, F33.0, F33.1, F33.2, F33.3, F33.40, F33.41, F33.42, F33.8, F33.9, F34.1, F34.81, F34.89, F43.21, F43.23, F53, O90.6, O99.340, O99.341, O99.342, O99.343, O99.345
Patient has a diagnosed bipolar disorder prior to any encounter during the measurement period- F31.10, F31.11, F31.12, F31.13, F31.2, F31.30, F31.31, F31.32, F31.4, F31.5, F31.60, F31.61, F31.62, F31.63, F31.64, F31.70, F31.71, F31.72, F31.73, F31.74, F31.75, F31.76, F31.77, F31.78, F31.81, F31.89, F31.9′
‘Depression Screening or Follow-Up Plan not Documented, Patient not Eligible
Denominator Exclusion: G9717: Documentation stating the patient has an active diagnosis of depression or has a diagnosed bipolar disorder, therefore screening or follow-up not required
I do not see that I HAVE TO HAVE AN ICD10 CODED PRIOR to any encounter. I see the list of ICD 10 as examples of codes to reference. We screen the patient for Depression as we do provider Narcotics. So if we already have a patient seen in our clinic with a Personal Medical History of Depression or Bioplar disorder can I use G9717, even with out ICD10 being submitted by our office prior to this performance period.
Thank you in advance for your help 
Justina L. , CPC, CPB
thanks