psych modifier

I have a rejection for the absence of or incorrect use of a modifier on 90837 and 90834. These are single services only, by one provider, different DOSs. I didn't use a modifier for these services. Can you please advise what modifier I should report?

Thank you

re: psych modifier

What are you trying to report? Services provided on one day? Only one psychotherapy code should be reported per day, with prolonged service codes to indicate a session extending beyond 90 minutes. Alternatively, depending on the situation the crisis codes may be more fitting. The rationale for the rejection may be that since you reported 2 psychotherapy codes, one should have a modifier attached to it to indicate multiple procedures. It will all boil down to payer policy as to whether or not you'll be reimbursed for both services. I have some work comps that have recognized 2 psychotherapy codes on the same dos, but for Medicare and other payers the correct way to report is to use the prolonged services code(s) + 90837.

re: psych modifier

Thanks for responding. I am only reporting one service per day. My understanding is that if more than one is reported, a modifier is needed. However, since I am only reporting one, I don't need to report with the modifier?