Wiki OMH Guidline questions for NY State -- Family Psychotherapy

[KMilsap]

Hi Everyone,

Our BH clinic just switched from DOH to OMH and I'm getting used to the new guidelines.

For family psychotherapy, it states that in order to bill a 90847, the session must be 60 minutes long. What happens if it's less time? The 90846 states a minimum of 30 minutes is acceptable. I'm wary of 'downcoding' it to a 90846 for the time requirements, because the 90847 is WITH patient present, and 90846 is WITHOUT patient present.

Do I just code it as a regular psychotherapy visit if it does not meet the 60 minute time requirement?

Thanks in advance!

 

[kerryann]

Per the CPT guidelines "Do not report 90846, 90847 for family psychotherapy services less than 26 minutes." This means that for either of those codes, as long as 26 minutes is documented you are good to go.
Hope that helps~

 

[bradfordkann]

You have to follow OMH guidelines not CPT in this case. I work in NY as well and although CPT says 26 minutes and above for 90847 - OMH guidelines state 60 minutes. I follow that when I bill. I do 26 minutes or more for 90846.