Billing and Coding: Psychological and Neuropsychological Testing

The billing and coding information in this article is dependent on the
coverage indications, limitations and/or medical necessity described in the
associated LCD L34646 Psychological and Neuropsychological Testing.

Psychological and Neuropsychological Testing are diagnostic procedures that
must be used as an important tool in making specific diagnoses or prognoses to
aid in treatment planning and to address questions regarding treatment goals,
efficacy, and patient disposition. Diagnostic procedures that have no impact
on a patient's plan of care or have no effect on treatment are not medically
necessary. The CPT Codes discussed in this Billing and Coding Article are used
to report the services provided during testing of the cognitive function of
the central nervous system. The testing of cognitive processes, visual motor
responses and abstractive abilities is accomplished by the combination of
several types of testing procedures.

**Coding Guidelines**  
References to providers throughout this policy include non-physicians, such as
clinical psychologists, independent psychologist, nurse practitioners,
clinical nurse specialists and physician assistants when the services
performed are within the scope of their clinical practice/education, licensed
and authorized under the state law.

A minimum of 31 minutes must be provided to report any per hour code.

Psychological or neuropsychological testing includes selection, administration
and scoring of the tests, directly by the psychologist, neuropsychologist,
physician or other qualified health care professional, by a technician under
the clinician's direct supervision, by computerized test administration, or
via some combination of these three approaches.

Typically, testing requires 4-8 hours to perform, including administration and
scoring. If the testing is performed over several days, the time for all
testing should be combined and reported on the last day of service.

Psychological and Neuropsychological testing is medically necessary for
multiple reasons. The medical record must document the reason the tests are
being performed. The LCD does not define coverage for either the medical or
psychiatric diagnosis that may require the services.

Psychological and neuropsychological testing is not covered for Alzheimer's
diseases once a diagnosis has been made.

**Billing Guidelines**

  1. For assessment of aphasia and cognitive performance testing use code 96105 and 96125, respectively.
  2. For developmental/behavioral screening and testing use codes 96110, 96112, 96113, and 96127.
  3. For neurobehavioral status examinations (includes test administration, scoring, interpretation and report) use codes 96116 and 96121.
  4. For test administration and scoring for psychological/neuropsychological testing use codes 96136, 96137, 96138 and 96139.
  5. For automated testing and results for psychological/neuropsychological testing use code 96146.
  6. To bill these services to Medicare the practitioner providing the testing must have a Medicare provider number and be appropriately licensed in the State where the services are performed.