This page addresses follow-up questions and additional information pertinent to our webinar
Coding Psychological and Neuropsychological Testing.
** The coding information and guidance are valid at the time of publishing. Learners are encouraged to research
subsequent official guidance in the areas associated with the topic as they can change rapidly.

Q: When would neurobehavioral testing be done versus neuropsychological testing?
A: Both assess cognition, but;
NEUROBEHAVIORAL testing may be carried out to assess patients with a TBI or dementia for example, whose behavior has changed e.g. Being impulsive or aggressive.
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL testing may be carried out on a patient with dementia for example to assess their cognitive abilities e.g. Memory or language.

Q: Can you give me an example of when we could use code 96146 for an automated test administration and automated result.
A: One example would be a patient at an E/M visit C/O extreme fatigue completing a single, automated depression screening test on an iPad given to him/her by the nurse. The MD then uses the automated result to guide the plan of care for the patient.
In this case report the E/M code with a modifier 25 along with code 96146.
The documentation should make it clear that the billing provider did not personally administer the automated test.

Q: Can a psychiatrist bill for an initial diagnostic evaluation of a patient, and both the administration and score of psychological tests and their evaluation, all on the same date of service?
A: These may all be reported on the same date of service, however, per the NCCI Policy Manual psychological/neuropsychological testing (codes 96136-96146), and psychological/ neuropsychological evaluation services (codes 96130-96133) must be distinct services if reported on the same date of service as a psychiatric diagnostic evaluation (codes 90791, 90792).