Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: CPT 2006 eliminated the neuropsychological testing code 96117, so how can we code for the following two scenarios?

1. Our technician performs the testing, and our physician performs the report preparation and feedback.
2. The physician performs both the testing and the  feedback portion.

 Should we use 96118 and 96119 for the first scenario and only 96118 for the second?


Vermont Subscriber


Answer: For the first example, you would most likely bill both 96118 (Neuropsychological testing [e.g., Halsteid-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery, Wechsler Memory Scales and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test], per hour of the psychologist's or physician's time, both face-to-face time with the patient and time interpreting test results and preparing the report) and 96119 (Neuropsychological testing [e.g., Halsteid-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery, Wechsler Memory Scales and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test], with qualified healthcare professional interpretation and report, administered by technician, per hour of technician time, face-to-face).

Because CPT established 96119 to describe the technical aspects of neuropsychological testing, the physician's interpretation and report of the tests- results are separately reportable with 96118.

For the second example, you should only report 96118. Because this code is time-based, however, you will likely be able to bill more units than in the first example, counting face-to-face time along with the time the physician spends interpreting the study and preparing the report.

Get your timing down: With these time-based codes, you-ll want to make sure that your technician documents the amount of face-to-face time with the patient, and that your provider records both face-to-face time with the patient and the time he spends interpreting and preparing the report.