Behavioral Health Coding Training

Behavioral health coding presents challenges unique to other medical specialties. Coders must be able to interpret clinical documentation and observe complex CPT^® guidelines. Additionally, they must understand clinician-related coding and billing requirements for psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants, clinical social workers, and other licensed mental health professionals.

AAPC's Behavioral Health Coding Training is an online certificate course designed for professional coders interested in the behavioral health specialty. This course walks students through foundational material on mental and behavioral health diagnoses and treatments. Students will learn ICD-10-CM, CPT^®, evaluation and management (E/M) coding and guidelines specific to behavioral health and substance abuse. Requirements for clinical documentation as it pertains to coding are also discussed.

* Prior completion of a professional coding course or one year of pro-fee coding experience is recommended.

Included in This Course

• ICD-10-CM coding of mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders
• E/M coding and applying E/M coding to behavioral health services
• CPT^® guidelines affecting behavioral health and CPT^® coding for behavioral health services
• Documentation requirements for ICD-10-CM, E/M services, incident-to, shared visits, and teaching physician
• Case studies dissecting real-world documentation for in-depth instruction and practical application of behavioral health coding skills
• Interactive lectures covering behavioral health therapies, diagnoses, and documentation specifics
• AAPC's Behavioral Health, AAPC publisher; (available online only in PDF format, no textbook will be issued with this course)
• Behavioral Health Coding Training final assessment
• Approval for 10 CEUs upon successful completion towards CPC, COC, CPC-P, CEMC, CPB, and CPPM (one-time use only)
• Access available for one (1) year from purchase date

Course Objectives

• Behavioral Health Diagnosis Coding — Learn proper ICD-10-CM code selection with an understanding of ICD-10-CM conventions, general guidelines, and the chapter-specific coding guidelines for Chapter 5, Mental, Behavioral, and Neurodevelopmental disorders (F01-F99), as well as diagnoses for related mental health conditions encountered in this specialty.
• Evaluation and Management Coding —Knowledge of the E/M guidelines and subsection notes is important for accurate code selection, particularly in behavior health. This course provides instruction applicable to a variety of settings, with coding examples focused on E/M in the behavioral health specialty. The goal is to offer necessary insight to develop proficiency and correct technique, leading to the ability to accurately select levels of E/M services.
• CPT^® Coding for Behavioral Health — Psychiatric diagnostic services, psychotherapy, psychological testing, and biofeedback are examples of behavioral health services reported with CPT^® codes. This course gives special attention to documentation requirements and CPT^® guidelines for reporting these services. Codes eligible for reporting as telemedicine services are also covered.

Final Assessment:

• Final assessment consisting of 35 multiple-choice questions
• Coding cases from real-world, redacted records
• Must be completed within 75 minutes
• 70% passing score required
• Two exam attempts included with course
• Download Behavioral Heath Coding Course Syllabus (PDF)