Question Screening for depression for patients starting or on Accutane.

[valerie.hall@hattiesburgclinic.com]

This question comes from a large multi-specialty provider group. Some of our dermatology providers are wanting patients who are going to start Accutane to be screened/evaluated by one our psychiatry providers prior to starting the medication, then every 3-4 months during the course of the Accutane treatment. Please advise if Z13.31 associated w/a CPT for PHQ is the correct way to bill for the services. I am aware that the coding guidelines state "should a condition be discovered during the screening, then the code for the condition may be assigned as an additional diagnosis code". We are aware there are going to be payor specific guidelines which will differ from patient to patient. Any insight or recommendation for this type of situation is greatly appreciated.