96150/ 90801
Hi pccoding,
Becareful to review the documentation before using 96150. This code is used if the patient has a physical condition that may turn into a mental condition. For example, the patient has chronic pain and develops depression because of it. And, correct, these are coded in 15 minute increments. You would report a total of 4 units.
Another code for an initial psychiatric interview examination is 90801. This code is not time based and includes pre-, during- and post work, such as (pre-) reviewing patient charts, documentation from a referring physicion, (during-) getting a complete patient history, mental status exam, assessment & plan, and lastly (post-) documentation of the report.
The coders desk reference may give a little more detail then the CPT book, but the CPT book covers the basics. Read over the beginning before code 90801 and before 96150.
Hope this helps.
Barbara