Covered and Noncovered Services : Codes

Procedure Codes

Nationally recognized procedure codes such as CPT codes are required on all outpatient mental health claims submitted on the 1500 Health Insurance Claim Form. Claims or adjustments received without an appropriate procedure code are denied. The mental health and substance abuse maximum allowable fee schedule indicates maximum allowable fees and copayment rates.

Psychotherapy CPT procedure codes are time-based codes representing 30, 45, and 60 minutes of services. A unit of time has been reached when a provider has completed 51 percent of the designated time. To report psychotherapy, the session time must be at least 16 minutes. The proper procedure code is then selected based on the actual time closest to the time written in the code descriptor. This represents an actual time of 16 to 37 minutes for the 30-minute procedure codes (codes 90832 and 90833), 38 to 52 minutes for the 45-minute procedure codes (codes 90834 and 90836), and 53 minutes or greater for the 60-minute procedure codes (codes 90837 and 90838).

The following table lists the procedure codes and applicable modifiers that providers are required to use when requesting PA and submitting claims for outpatient mental health services. Not all providers may be reimbursed for all mental health services.

Outpatient Mental Health Services Procedure Codes

+ Add on procedure code.
* POS code 12 is allowable only for central nervous system assessments/tests and outpatient mental health services for members under 21 years of age. Services provided in the home (POS code 12) are only reimbursable when billed by a Medicaid-enrolled mental health outpatient clinic.

Independent providers who are able to bill Wisconsin Medicaid directly for outpatient mental health services are required to submit documentation that shows it is appropriate to use an alternative location to support the member's recovery when providing services outside of the provider's office or a school.

The outpatient mental health benefit does not include services provided in the home or community settings for members age 21 and over. See the Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in the Home or Community for Adults service area for outpatient services covered in the home or community for members age 21 and over. This benefit is a county-matched benefit.

Inpatient POS codes are not allowable for providers when payment for those services is included in the hospital's Medicaid DRG reimbursement. See the Inpatient Hospital service area for more information on what services are included in the DRG payments.