Pediatric Coding Alert

Question: What would be the appropriate CPT^® code and ICD-9 code to report when a Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale is done at a preventive and non-preventive visit?

Tennessee subscriber

Answer: The Spence Anxiety Scale is a scorable standardized screening test and would meet the criteria for using CPT^® code 96110 (Developmental screening, with interpretation and report, per standardized instrument form). The ICD-9 code would be V20.2 (Routine infant or child health check) if administered at a preventive medicine visit or another V code for screening for an anxiety/mental health condition (such as V79.8, Screening for other specified mental disorders and developmental handicaps) if you performed it at another E/M visit.