Does CPT code 96127 require a modifier?

Asked by: Golden Heaney  |  Last update: April 24, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (19 votes)

96127 should be billed last with a modifier 59.

Do you need a modifier for 96127?

Most payers may require that modifier 59 is appended to the screening code. If multiple screenings are performed on a date of service CPT 96127 should be reported with the number of test as the number of Units. NOTE: Modifier 25 should be appended to the E/M and modifier 59 should be appended to the 96127 CPT code.

What are the requirements for 96127?

In summary, using CPT Code 96127 requires the involvement of trained administrative staff, qualified health professionals, or other qualified individuals to conduct accurate assessments. There are no specific time constraints for the assessment, and a wide range of standardized instruments can be utilized.

How do you know if a CPT code needs a modifier?

What Are Medical Coding Modifiers?
  • The service or procedure has both professional and technical components.
  • More than one provider performed the service or procedure.
  • More than one location was involved.
  • A service or procedure was increased or reduced in comparison to what the code typically requires.

Can you bill CPT 96127 for Medicare?

How many times you can bill 96127 per patient per day depends on the insurance plan. Medicare only allows you to bill this code twice per day.

How CPT Code 96127 Can Impact Your Income

43 related questions found

What is the 33 modifier used for?

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) modifier 33 can be used when billing for ACA-designated preventive services with a commercial payer. The addition of modifier 33 communicates to a commercial payer that a given service was provided as an ACA preventive service.

When to bill G0444 vs 96127?

Routine (annual) screening (e.g., depression) when NO symptoms are present prior to screening – Use G0444 instead of 96127. Screening for depression when symptoms ARE present – Use CPT 96127.

How do I know if a CPT code needs a laterality modifier?

The -RT and -LT modifiers should be used whenever a procedure is performed on one side. For instance, when reporting CPT code 27560 (closed treatment of patellar dislocation; without anesthesia), modifier -RT or -LT should be appended if only one knee is treated.

When to use 59 modifier in occupational therapy?

Modifier 59 should only be used when the two 15-minute timed services are performed sequentially. The time spent must be clearly documented as separate and distinct, and cannot overlap.

Does CPT require a modifier?

According to CPT, the situations when the use of a modifier may be appropriate are: The service or procedure has both professional and technical components. More than one provider performed the service or procedure. More than one location was involved.

What is the difference between 96127 and 96160?

Codes 96110, 96160, and 96161 are typically limited to developmental screening and the health risk assessment (HRA). However, code 96127 should be reported for both screening and follow-up of emotional and behavioral health conditions.

What is modifier 59 in medical billing?

The CPT Manual defines modifier 59 as: “Distinct Procedural Service: Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a. procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-E/M (Evaluation/Management) services.

Can 96127 be billed for PHQ 2?

Please note the same CPT code (i.e. 96127) is used for both the abbreviated 2-question PHQ-2 instrument and the longer 9-question PHQ-9 instrument.

What is modifier 25 in CPT coding?

Modifier 25 is used to indicate that a patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management (E/M) service above and beyond that associated with another procedure or service being reported by the same physician or other qualified health care professional (QHP) on the same date.

Can you bill 90791 and 96127 together?

For example, a provider cannot bill 96127 along with cpt code 90791.

Does 99483 need a modifier?

CPT code 99483 is generally billed separately from the annual wellness visit due to the time, complexity and medical decision making inherent to this service. However, if the AWV and Cognitive Assessment and Care plan services are done at the same visit, a -25 modifier would need to be appropriately utilized.

When to use 59 or 51 modifier?

Modifier -51 would be attached because the biopsy is the lesser-valued procedure done at the same session, and modifier -59 would be attached to indicate that the biopsy, which is normally bundled with excision of the same lesion, was done on a separate lesion from the one that was excised.

When should modifier 57 be used?

Modifier -57 is appended to office visits the same day or within three days of a major surgery (90-day global period). It indicates the office visit includes the decision for the major procedure.

Do you use 59 modifier on 97140 or 97530?

CPT Code 97140 - Manual Therapy techniques, one or more regions, each 15 minutes. CPT Code 97530 - Therapeutic activities, direct one-on-one patient contact by the provider, each 15 minutes. Modifier 59 may be reported if the two procedures are performed in distinctly different 15 minute intervals.

Do all CPT codes require a modifier?

Modifiers provide additional information to payers to make sure your provider gets paid correctly for services rendered. If appropriate, more than one modifier may be used with a single procedure code; however, are not applicable for every category of the CPT codes.

What is a 58 modifier used for?

Modifier 58 is defined as a staged or related procedure performed during the postoperative period of the first procedure by the same physician. A new postoperative period begins when the staged procedure is billed.

Should I use modifier 59 or Xu?

Do not report modifier 59 or other NCCI-associated modifiers to bypass an edit unless documentation in the medical record supports its use. The CMS established four (4) HCPCS modifiers (XE, XS, XP, and XU) to provide greater reporting specificity in situations where modifier 59 was previously reported.

Does 96127 need a modifier?

96127 should be billed last with a modifier 59. For more detailed information download our latest billing guide. Can I bill 96127 together with 96138, or 96130? No.

How do I bill my CPT code 96127?

You should report CPT code 96127, “Brief emotional/behavioral assessment (e.g., depression inventory, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] scale), with scoring and documentation, per standardized instrument,” with one unit for each screening instrument completed, and be sure to document the instruments used ...

What diagnosis should be used with 96127?

CPT code 96127 is used to report brief emotional and behavioral assessments using standardized instruments (AMA; AAP). This includes screenings for developmental status and various mental health conditions such as ADHD, depression, suicidal risk, anxiety, substance abuse, and eating disorders.