What is CPT 96127 with modifier 33?

Asked by: Donavon Pollich  |  Last update: March 1, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (51 votes)

Depression Screening When a primary care physician uses a standardized screening tool to evaluate the patient for depression, you may report CPT 96127 with a modifier 33 to signal the payer that it is being billed as a preventive service.

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.

Does CPT code 96127 require a modifier?

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.

Can 90833 and 96127 be billed together?

Usually, 90833 and 96127 cannot be billed together because 90833 is a psychotherapy code, and therapists cannot bill 96127. There may be some exceptions – check with your billing office or insurance provider for more information.

Can 96127 be billed with a preventive visit?

The 96127 code is commonly utilized in preventive medicine services and various medical visits. Clinical staff, such as registered nurses, are capable of administering and scoring the standardized instrument for the assessment.

MODIFIER 32&33 CONCEPT

29 related questions found

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.

Does insurance pay for 96127?

CPT Code 96127 is a generic mental health screening code that is covered by most major insurances. It is designed to pay for the evenly applied screening of a large patient population to uncover underlying mental health conditions.

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 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. The purpose of the screening or assessment should guide code selection.

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.

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 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.

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.

Does CMS recognize modifier 33?

Apply Modifier 33 for Private Payers Only

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has not issued any guidance for modifier 33. There's a good reason for this: Medicare and Medicaid do not recognize modifier 33.

What is the correct use of a modifier?

Always place modifiers as close as possible to the words they modify. When you place modifiers too far away from the words that they modify, you change the meaning of the sentence, creating what is called a misplaced modifier error.

Does 99497 need a 33 modifier?

Yes. Advance care planning is a preventive service only when provided in conjunction with an annual wellness visit and reported with modifier 33 attached to the advance care planning code (e.g., 99497-33).

Can 96127 be billed with 90832?

In order words, 96127 is bundled into 90832, so I would say no you should/cannot bill 96127 with 90832. Hope that helps.

What is the value of the RVU 96127?

The currently published relative value units (RVUs) for the codes being discussed are: 96110, 0.27; 96127, 0.16; 96160, 0.13; and 96161, 0.13.

Is 99173 a payable code?

Visual acuity testing (99173) is a covered, separately reimbursable service when performed in conjunction with a preventive medicine service code (99382, 99383, 99392, 99393) for patients aged 3-5 years.

What is CPT code 96133?

- The first hour of neuropsychological evaluation is billed using 96132 and each additional hour needed to complete the service is billed with code 96133. - CPT Time Rules allow an additional unit of a time-based code to be reported as long as the mid-point of the stated amount of time is passed.

What is the ICD 10 code for positive depression screening?

Encounter for screening for depression

Z13. 31 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2025 edition of ICD-10-CM Z13. 31 became effective on October 1, 2024.

How do I bill for procedural sedation?

Moderate sedation is a time-based code with a specified unit of time of 15 minutes. However, the CPT 2022 coding instructions indicate that the patient's chart must indicate a minimum of 10 minutes of intraservice time to report the initial Moderate Sedation codes 99151, 99152, 99155, and 99156.

Does 96127 require a modifier?

Do I need to use modifiers? This is a reminder that it's common practice to use Modifier 59 when performing separate services on the same day. However, following the specific payer's guidelines is essential, as they can be exact.

What diagnosis code is 96127 covered?

96127 Definition: Brief emotional/behavioral assessment (e.g., depression inventory, eating disorders, suicide risk, anxiety, substance abuse, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] scale) with scoring and documentation, per standardized instrument.

How many times a year can 96127 be billed?

Yearly we can bill 4 units of 96127 and it can be billed along with enm visits.