Wiki new vs established

[KimberlyLee]

with the coding changes for Behavioral Health we are having a discrepency on when to code new pt vs est. I know the guidelines but in behavioral health can the pt be considered new if has had no eval services in the past three years?
Please help..need to know asap
thanks
KLee

 

[1073358]

codes

First of all, are you billing "new patients" as new patient EM codes, or are you billing the psych eval 90792?

A new patient EM code can be billed if the patient has not been seen by someone in that same mental health group in the last 3 years.

A 90792 eval code doesnt follow new vs established. It is the initial psych eval. Usually billed at first visit and then again after a hiatus in treatment. This code can be billed for multiple intakes on one patient. i.e. if patient and then parents are interviewed, can bill it for each session, if on different dates of service