Wiki Mental health form-96110 or 99420

[SUEV]

We have a physician who would like to give a pamphlet with 37 questions screening for mental health issues to teenagers at the time of annual exams. It's put out by TeenScreen. Would this type of questionnaire be considered a developmental screening (96110) or a health risk assessment (99420)?
Thanks,
Sue

 

[afreiler]

Does your doctor score these or write a report, or are they only used as an information gathering tool much the same as a new patient questionnaire? If it's just information gathering, you should not bill a separate code.

 

[SUEV]

There is a scoring system at the bottom of the pamphlet with places to indicate how a problem will be handled (referral, consult, etc.). If need be, I'm sure he'd be willing to do some type of report to expand on the pamphlet if that would make it billable. What code would then be appropriate?

 

[afreiler]

I suggest 96110 - developmental testing, limited, since he's assessing social and adaptive behaviors. This code does state "with interpretation and report", so he should document scores, interpretation, & recommendations.