Coding 90808 vs 90847

I am having trouble getting assistance with these two billing codes 90808 and 90847.



If I am seeing a family of three and each had their own DSM-IV diagnosis and all three came on same day I would for a time period of 60 to 65 minutes I would use 90808 for each one. It says approximately 75-80 minutes and the lesser one just below is 90806 for 45 to 50 minutes so I use 00808 again key word is approximately. Is this okay?

In using code 96101 Psych Testing I bill for administering, scoring, reviewing, and explaining to patient the test results. Is this correct?


It seems to me that code 90847 has No time period and is used if a patient might have a family member in attendance and they are sharing the impact of person is having on family. It assumes only one person is the patient. Is this correct?

Next let's say there are three family members Dad has OCD 301.4 Mom has Generalized anxiety Disorder 300.02 and Child has ADHD 314.01 and we all met at for 4 hours and I used 90808 for each patient for one unit each and met imdividually and as a group at end of session to see how we are all dealing with each other is that 90808 correct? I don't believe 90847 would work because each patient has a diagnosis and it doesn't say that there can't be a time where all meet and discuss at end.

Coding is dificuly and complicated. I believe I am correct but I wanted to make sure.

Thanks


Dr. Bruce E. Jones, Ph.D.
765-644-2667 e-mail drjones@iquest.net

Psychiatry

Code 90808 is psychotherapy on an individual basis. This means you spent 75-80 minutes with each family member on an individual face-to-face basis, not as a group. The ICD-9-CM codes are billed not the DSM-4 codes. Code 90847 (http://www.mnpsychsoc.org/MA.pdf), page 4. This code is only when family therapy with patient present for patient's condition management. Code 96101 -see: http://occmed.patienttools.com/Documentation/PearsonReimbursement.pdf

90908

Okay but if you see eafch patient for the required time does that preclude havinga family meeting following individual sessions? Is 65 minutes approximately 75-80?


The only one close is 45 to 50 is 90806?

I am understanding 90847 is with one patient with diagnosis and other family member is there for patient management? It is Not time driven?

Psychiatry

If you seen all family members with a face to face encounter and have seperate documentation for each member the 90806 would make more sense.
We bill the 90806 and of course the 90847 is basically collateral information.