Wiki Psychotherapy start/stop time

[JRae5M]

I am working through an audit issue with a company that is governed by three different MACs. Each LCD indicates that "time" not "start/stop" time is required
for psychotherapy sessions.
I have pointed out that each LCD references the HIPAA law which indicates that counseling session start/stop times are not privileged and can be requested.
But, does anyone know of a regulatory directive (other that HIPAA) that an auditor could reference indicating that start/stop times can be requested to support
a documented total time?

 

[TThivierge]

Hi JRae5M
Here is a site from AAPC Knowledge Center Sept 2021 Reference https://www.aapc.com/blog/81898-psychotherapy-documentation-tips-from-an-auditor/ .This author states stop and start times must be documented. However I thought that was for inpatient psych therapy setting incase 2 or 3 of same medical specialty treated inpatient. Whereas outpt. beh health provider just document the total amount of time treated patient. The CPT manual just states time needs to be added in beh health documentation.
I hope this data was helpful
Lady T