Billing 96127 for Asymptomatic/Routine Screening on Day of Outpatient Visit

Hello!

I am looking for some clarification on billing CPT code 96127 (Brief emotional/behavioral assessment) for an outpatient office visit.
If a patient fills out a standardized tool (like a PHQ-9 or GAD-7) during an outpatient encounter but presents with no active signs or symptoms of anxiety or depression, can 96127 still be billed as a routine/preventive screening?

We bill these with a modifier 25 on the preventative visit and an XU on the screening (with or without applicable diagnoses); but we only do this screening during sick visits with accompanying depression/anxiety codes, same modifiers apply.

These are my thoughts. Why was the screening instrument provided and scored? Is the patient due for a preventive screening or is this in follow-up to prior diagnosis of a behavioral health problem? That should drive how you report 96127. If preventive, check the payer's preventive service coding guidance (eg, append modifier 33). If provided to rule out ongoing problems, report a code for follow-up care and personal history when supported in the documentation.

Cindy