Depression is not represented by a single diagnosis code in every clinical situation. The appropriate ICD-10 code for depression depends on what the provider actually diagnoses and documents: whether the patient has an unspecified depressive disorder, a single episode of major depressive disorder (MDD), recurrent MDD, a condition in remission, persistent depressive disorder, depression associated with another condition, or another specifically documented depressive diagnosis.
That distinction matters clinically and financially.
Selecting an overly general depression diagnosis when the medical record supports a more specific condition can reduce the accuracy of the patient’s clinical history. On the other hand, assigning a highly specific code that is not supported by the provider’s documentation can create compliance concerns and contribute to claim denials.
For doctors, providers, hospitals, and clinics, accurate depression coding therefore starts with the clinical record—not with selecting a code from a billing list.
This guide covers the ICD-10 codes for depression along with related diagnosis codes. It also includes the CPT and HCPCS codes. You will find information, on documentation requirements screening considerations, common coding mistakes and strategies to avoid claim denials.
What Is the ICD-10 Code for Depression?
When sadness is written down but there isn’t detail to say exactly what kind of condition it is, the code F32.A. Depression, unspecified might be used.
F32.a should not be used as the main code for every person who has feelings of sadness.
The ICD-10-CM system has detailed codes for major depressive disorder depending on things, like:
- single versus recurrent episodes;
- severity;
- presence or absence of psychotic features; and
- remission status.
For example CMS specifies F32.0 Depressive disorder single episode mild; F32.1 Major depressive disorder single episode moderate; F32.2 Major depressive disorder single episode severe no psychotic characteristics. The family F33 is the primary representation of recurrent major depressive illness.
The central coding principle is simple: report the diagnosis to the highest degree of specificity supported by the provider’s documentation.
Common ICD-10 Codes for Depression
| ICD-10-CM Code | Diagnosis |
|---|---|
| F32.A | Depression, unspecified |
| F32.0 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild |
| F32.1 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate |
| F32.2 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, severe without psychotic features |
| F32.3 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, severe with psychotic features |
| F32.4 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, in partial remission |
| F32.5 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, in full remission |
| F32.81 | Premenstrual dysphoric disorder |
| F32.89 | Other specified depressive episodes |
| F32.9 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified |
| F33.0 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, mild |
| F33.1 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate |
| F33.2 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe without psychotic features |
| F33.3 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe with psychotic symptoms |
| F33.40 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in remission, unspecified |
| F33.41 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial remission |
| F33.42 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in full remission |
| F33.8 | Other recurrent depressive disorders |
| F33.9 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecified |
| F34.1 | Dysthymic disorder |
| F43.21 | Adjustment disorder with depressed mood |
| F53.0 | Postpartum depression |
CMS’s current classification materials include these distinctions among single-episode, recurrent, severity-specific, and remission-related depressive disorders.
Understanding F32.A: Depression, Unspecified
The F32.A is an important code because it provides a means for physicians to report depression when the clinical material does not support a more specific depressive condition.
For example, a patient may have clinically significant depressed symptoms, but the available examination may not yet determine whether the disease is a single major depressive episode, recurrent MDD, chronic depressive disorder, an adjustment disorder, or some other diagnosis.
In this instance, an undefined diagnosis may be appropriate when it represents the documented clinical assessment of the provider.
The problem is with F32.A is still used when later documentation indicates a more specific diagnosis.
For example, if the physician later documents “major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate,” F33.1 provides much more clinical specificity than F32.A.
Therefore, providers should see F32.A as a valid diagnosis code when appropriate, not as a handy substitute for reporting the patient’s true depressive condition.
F32 Codes: Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode
The F32 family is particularly important when coding a documented single episode of major depressive disorder.
F32.0 — Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, Mild
F32.0 applies when the provider diagnoses a single, mild episode of major depressive disorder.
Documentation should make the single-episode status and severity clear rather than requiring someone reviewing the claim to infer those characteristics from a screening score alone.
F32.1 — Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, Moderate
Use F32.1 when the clinical diagnosis is a single episode of MDD of moderate severity.
A record supporting this diagnosis should clearly communicate the provider’s assessment of the condition, relevant symptoms, functional impact, treatment plan, and other clinically significant findings.
F32.2 — Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, Severe Without Psychotic Features
F32.2 represents a single severe episode of MDD without psychotic features.
Because severity directly changes the code, simply documenting “depression” or even “major depression” may not provide the same specificity as documenting the diagnosed severity.
F32.3 — Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, Severe With Psychotic Features
F32.3 is used for a severe single episode of major depressive disorder when psychotic features are present.
Documentation should establish the diagnosed psychotic features rather than assigning this code based on assumptions.
CMS separately identifies F32.2 and F32.3, illustrating why the presence or absence of psychotic features can materially affect depression coding.
F32.4 — Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, in Partial Remission
When a documented single episode of MDD has improved but is only in partial remission, F32.4 may apply.
F32.5 — Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, in Full Remission
F32.5 represents a single episode of major depressive disorder documented as being in full remission.
Remission should be clinically documented. It should not be assumed merely because the patient is stable on medication or reports improvement.
F32.9 vs. F32.A: What Is the Difference?
One of the most important depression coding distinctions is between F32.9 and F32.A.
They are not interchangeable descriptions.
F32.9 represents major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified, whereas F32.A represents depression, unspecified. CMS continues to list these as separate diagnoses.
Consider two records.
If the physician documents:
“Depression, unspecified.”
F32.A may appropriately represent that diagnosis.
If the physician documents:
“Major depressive disorder, single episode; severity unspecified.”
F32.9 may more accurately reflect the documented diagnosis.
The difference is clinically meaningful because the second record establishes MDD and identifies the episode as single even though severity has not been specified.
F33 Codes: Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder
When a patient has documented recurrent major depressive disorder, the F33 category becomes important.
The word recurrent should be supported by the provider’s clinical diagnosis. It should not be inferred simply because a patient has been receiving antidepressant therapy for a long period.
F33.0 — Recurrent MDD, Mild
Use F33.0 when recurrent major depressive disorder is documented and the current episode is mild.
F33.1 — Recurrent MDD, Moderate
F33.1 applies when the patient has recurrent major depressive disorder of moderate severity.
This is different from F32.1, which describes a moderate single episode.
F33.2 — Recurrent MDD, Severe Without Psychotic Features
F33.2 represents recurrent MDD that is severe but does not include psychotic features.
F33.3 — Recurrent MDD, Severe With Psychotic Symptoms
F33.3 applies to recurrent severe major depressive disorder when psychotic symptoms are documented.
F33.40 — Recurrent MDD, in Remission, Unspecified
This code can be appropriate when recurrent MDD is documented as being in remission but the record does not establish whether the remission is partial or full.
F33.41 — Recurrent MDD, in Partial Remission
Use F33.41 when the provider specifically documents recurrent MDD in partial remission.
F33.42 — Recurrent MDD, in Full Remission
F33.42 represents recurrent major depressive disorder in full remission.
CMS currently distinguishes F33.40, F33.41, and F33.42, making accurate remission documentation important for code selection.
Related Depression and Mood Disorder ICD-10 Codes
Not every patient who reports feeling depressed has major depressive disorder.
This is an important clinical and coding distinction.
F34.1 — Dysthymic Disorder
F34.1 represents dysthymic disorder and may be relevant to persistent depressive presentations when that is the provider’s documented diagnosis.
It should not automatically be substituted for an F32 or F33 diagnosis.
F43.21 — Adjustment Disorder With Depressed Mood
A patient experiencing depressive symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor may ultimately receive a diagnosis of adjustment disorder with depressed mood, represented by F43.21.
This should not be coded as MDD unless the clinical diagnosis supports MDD.
F53.0 — Postpartum Depression
F53.0 is associated with postpartum depression. CMS includes F53.0 among diagnoses associated with depressive disorders in its current definitions materials.
F41.8 — Other Specified Anxiety Disorders
Depression and anxiety frequently appear together clinically, but providers should avoid automatically assigning separate diagnosis codes simply because symptoms overlap.
Code the conditions that are actually assessed and documented.
Bipolar Disorder and Depressive Episodes
A depressive episode within the framework of bipolar illness is not categorized as unipolar major depressive disorder by default.
CMS has F31 codes specific to bipolar disorder, including diagnoses with a current or most recent depressed episode.
This distinction reinforces why a complete psychiatric history matters before selecting an MDD code.
Depression Screening Is Not the Same as a Depression Diagnosis
Screening and diagnosis should not be treated as the same clinical event.
Tools such as the PHQ-2 or PHQ-9 can help identify patients who may need additional evaluation, but a screening result alone does not automatically establish the final depressive disorder diagnosis.
For Medicare, HCPCS G0444 is used for annual depression screening. CMS covers annual screening for eligible Medicare beneficiaries in qualifying primary care settings when appropriate staff-assisted depression care supports are available for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.
Providers should distinguish among:
Screening: testing an appropriate patient for possible depression.
Assessment: evaluating symptoms, clinical history, differential diagnoses, functional impairment, safety, and related factors.
Diagnosis: the provider’s clinical determination of the patient’s condition.
Treatment: medication management, psychotherapy, collaborative care, or other clinically indicated interventions.
These stages may involve different documentation and coding requirements.
CPT and HCPCS Codes Commonly Related to Depression Care
ICD-10-CM codes describe why care is being provided. CPT and HCPCS codes generally describe what service was performed.
The procedure code therefore needs to match the actual service documented in the record.
Depression Screening
G0444 is specifically associated with Medicare’s annual depression screening benefit. Providers should verify payer-specific rules before assuming that G0444 or 96127 is separately payable in a particular encounter.
CMS NCCI guidance also warns against separately reporting G0444 when its work is duplicative of another E/M, psychiatric diagnostic, or psychotherapy service. Distinct services may be reportable when applicable requirements are met and their time/work is separate.
Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation
CMS identifies 90791 and 90792 as commonly used psychiatric diagnostic evaluation codes. 90785 may be used with certain qualifying psychiatric diagnostic and psychotherapy services when interactive complexity requirements are satisfied.
Individual Psychotherapy Codes
Common CPT codes based on psychotherapy session duration
Use CPT codes according to applicable coding, documentation, and payer guidelines.
CMS identifies 90832, 90834, and 90837 as psychotherapy services without medical E/M. Because these are time-based services, the medical record must support the psychotherapy time reported.
Psychotherapy With an E/M Service
For qualified clinicians who perform a separately identifiable E/M service along with psychotherapy, the relevant psychotherapy add-on codes include:
| Add-on CPT Code | Psychotherapy |
|---|---|
| 90833 | Psychotherapy with E/M, approximately 30 minutes |
| 90836 | Psychotherapy with E/M, approximately 45 minutes |
| 90838 | Psychotherapy with E/M, approximately 60 minutes |
These codes are reported in addition to an appropriate E/M code, not as substitutes for the E/M service.
CMS states that when E/M and psychotherapy are both reported, the services must be significant and separately identifiable. The time used for the E/M service cannot simply be counted again as psychotherapy time.
Office/Outpatient E/M Codes
Depression may also be evaluated or managed during routine outpatient medical visits.
Common office/outpatient E/M codes include:
| CPT Code | Patient Type |
|---|---|
| 99202 | New patient |
| 99203 | New patient |
| 99204 | New patient |
| 99205 | New patient |
| 99211 | Established patient |
| 99212 | Established patient |
| 99213 | Established patient |
| 99214 | Established patient |
| 99215 | Established patient |
The correct E/M level should be selected under the applicable CPT and payer requirements, based on the documented service rather than the depression diagnosis alone.
A diagnosis such as F33.1 does not automatically justify a particular E/M level.
Crisis Psychotherapy Codes
When depression is associated with an acute psychiatric crisis and the requirements for crisis psychotherapy are satisfied, relevant CPT codes include:
90839 — Psychotherapy for crisis, first 60 minutes
90840 — Each additional 30 minutes
CMS specifically identifies these codes for psychotherapy for crisis. It also imposes restrictions on reporting them with other psychiatric procedure codes on the same encounter, so providers should verify applicable coding edits before claim submission.
Family and Group Psychotherapy Codes
Other potentially relevant services include:
| CPT Code | Service |
|---|---|
| 90846 | Family psychotherapy without the patient present |
| 90847 | Family psychotherapy with the patient present |
| 90853 | Group psychotherapy |
These codes should be used based on the actual service delivered—not simply because family members participated in a depression-related visit.
CMS specifically notes that 90846 and 90847 represent family psychotherapy for treatment of mental disorders and should not be used merely for taking a family history or providing ordinary E/M counseling.
Matching Depression ICD-10 and CPT Codes
There is no universal one-to-one relationship between a depression diagnosis code and a CPT code.
For example, a patient diagnosed with F33.1 — recurrent major depressive disorder, moderate might receive medication management during an office E/M visit.
Another patient with the same diagnosis may receive 45 minutes of psychotherapy.
A third patient may receive both a separately identifiable E/M service and psychotherapy from an appropriately qualified clinician.
The diagnosis may be the same, but the procedures are different.
Therefore, providers should avoid creating rigid rules such as:
“F33.1 always goes with 90834.”
That is not how procedure coding works.
The ICD-10 code should reflect the documented diagnosis, while the CPT/HCPCS code should represent the actual service furnished and documented.
Documentation Requirements for Depression Coding
Strong clinical documentation supports both continuity of care and accurate claims.
For depression-related encounters, the record should capture the information relevant to the patient’s condition and the service performed. Depending on the encounter, that may include the patient’s presenting symptoms, clinical history, duration and course, functional impact, assessment findings, screening results when used, current medications, treatment response, safety assessment, diagnostic impression, treatment plan, and follow-up.
When major depressive disorder is diagnosed, several elements can materially affect ICD-10-CM selection:
Episode pattern: Is this a single episode or recurrent disorder?
Severity: Is the condition mild, moderate, or severe?
Psychotic features: Are psychotic features present?
Remission: Is the disorder active, in partial remission, or in full remission?
The provider’s clinical documentation should establish these details when they are relevant to the diagnosis.
For time-based psychotherapy, documentation also needs to support the service duration. CMS states that psychotherapy codes 90832–90838 are time based and expects the medical record to document the relevant psychotherapy time.
Example 1: Single-Episode Major Depression
A patient presents with persistent low mood, loss of interest, sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, and functional impairment. Following assessment, the physician diagnoses:
Major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate.
The appropriate diagnosis may be:
F32.1 — Major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate
If the provider performs a medically necessary office/outpatient E/M service, an appropriate code from the 99202–99215 family may also be reported according to the documented level of service.
The key point is that the diagnosis documentation supports single episode + moderate severity.
Example 2: Recurrent Moderate MDD
A patient has a documented history of previous major depressive episodes and presents with another episode. Following evaluation, the provider documents:
Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate.
The diagnosis code is:
F33.1 — Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate
If 45-minute individual psychotherapy is actually performed and all applicable requirements are met, CPT 90834 may be relevant.
Here, using F32.1 would fail to capture the documented recurrent nature of the disorder.
Example 3: Depression Without Further Specification
A patient presents for evaluation, but the clinician documents only:
Depression, unspecified.
Without documentation establishing MDD, episode pattern, or severity, assigning a more specific MDD diagnosis would not be supported merely to obtain greater coding specificity.
F32.A — Depression, unspecified may be appropriate based on the documented diagnosis.
Example 4: Depression Screening Without a Depression Diagnosis
An eligible Medicare beneficiary receives an annual depression screening in an appropriate primary care setting. The screen does not establish a depression diagnosis, and the provider does not diagnose depression.
This encounter should not automatically generate F32.A or another depressive disorder code simply because depression was screened for.
For qualifying Medicare screening, G0444 may apply under the Medicare preventive benefit requirements. CMS specifically treats annual depression screening as a preventive service and limits coverage to qualifying settings with appropriate support systems.
Common Depression Coding Errors
Using F32.A for Every Depression Patient
F32.A is useful when depression truly remains unspecified, but it should not replace a documented diagnosis such as F32.1 or F33.1.
Specific documentation should lead to appropriately specific coding.
Confusing F32.9 With F32.A
F32.9 describes MDD, single episode, unspecified, while F32.A describes depression, unspecified.
The provider’s diagnosis determines which concept is supported.
Missing the Difference Between Single and Recurrent MDD
F32 and F33 diagnoses are not interchangeable.
A documented recurrent disorder belongs in the appropriate recurrent category rather than a single-episode category.
Assuming Severity From a PHQ-9 Score
Screening instruments provide valuable clinical information, but the diagnosis code should reflect the provider’s documented clinical diagnosis.
A screening score should not independently be converted into an ICD-10-CM severity code without the appropriate clinical assessment and documentation.
Reporting Remission Without Documentation
A patient doing better is not automatically coded as being in partial or full remission.
The provider should document the clinical status that supports the remission designation.
Confusing Bipolar Depression With MDD
A patient with bipolar disorder who is experiencing depression may require an F31-series diagnosis rather than an F32/F33 MDD diagnosis.
The patient’s established clinical diagnosis and current episode must guide code selection.
Billing Psychotherapy Without Supporting Time
Psychotherapy codes are time based. A note describing counseling but failing to support the reported psychotherapy time may lead to payer questions or denials.
Reporting Screening and Treatment as Duplicate Services
Another potential problem is separately billing depression screening when the work is duplicative of a problem-oriented E/M, psychiatric diagnostic, or psychotherapy service.
CMS NCCI guidance specifically addresses duplication involving G0444.
Why Depression Claims Get Denied
Even when the patient’s diagnosis is clinically appropriate, a claim can still be denied because diagnosis coding is only one component of claim accuracy.
Diagnosis Does Not Support the Procedure
A payer may question a service when the submitted diagnosis does not establish medical necessity under its applicable coverage policy.
The solution is not to change the diagnosis merely to obtain payment. Instead, the submitted diagnosis should accurately represent the condition addressed and be supported by the record.
Insufficient Documentation
Psychotherapy claims can face denials when the record does not adequately support the service, treatment, medical necessity, or required time.
Incorrect Psychotherapy Time
Submitting 90837 when the documented psychotherapy duration supports a different service can create a discrepancy between the medical record and the claim.
Incorrect E/M and Psychotherapy Combination
When an E/M service and psychotherapy are reported together, the documentation must establish distinct services and comply with applicable coding requirements.
CMS specifically states that E/M and psychotherapy must be significant and separately identifiable when both are reported.
Duplicate Services
Duplicate claims or overlapping services may trigger payer edits, particularly when multiple behavioral health services are submitted for the same date without documentation supporting separate services.
Frequency Limitations
Preventive depression screening benefits may be subject to frequency restrictions.
For example, Medicare’s depression screening benefit is annual for eligible beneficiaries under its coverage requirements.
Provider Eligibility or Credentialing Problems
Some behavioral health services are limited by payer rules regarding eligible professionals, enrollment, credentialing, scope of practice, or supervision.
Providers should confirm these requirements before assuming a service is payable.
Missing or Incorrect Modifier
Depending on the service, payer, telehealth arrangement, place of service, and other circumstances, modifier requirements can affect processing.
Modifiers should be used only when their definitions and payer requirements are satisfied.
Prior Authorization or Plan-Specific Requirements
Behavioral health benefits vary among commercial insurers, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid programs, and employer plans.
Coverage, authorization, referral, visit limits, and network requirements should therefore be verified for the patient’s specific plan.
How to Reduce Depression-Related Claim Denials
A reliable depression coding workflow begins before the claim is created.
First, make sure the clinical note establishes the diagnosis actually being treated. When MDD is diagnosed, document whether it is single or recurrent and record severity, psychotic features, and remission status when clinically applicable.
Second, connect the diagnosis to the actual service. A psychotherapy code should be supported by psychotherapy documentation; an E/M service should satisfy E/M requirements; and preventive screening should meet the payer’s screening rules.
Third, confirm time requirements for time-based services.
Fourth, review payer-specific medical necessity, frequency, authorization, telehealth, credentialing, and place-of-service rules.
Finally, investigate denials by their actual reason rather than automatically resubmitting the same claim. A denial caused by missing documentation requires a different response from one caused by eligibility, duplicate billing, authorization, coding, or coverage.
ICD-10-CM 2026–2027 Coding Update for Providers
Code-set timing is especially important for hospitals and clinics maintaining diagnosis tables inside EHR and claims systems.
CMS states that the FY 2027 ICD-10-CM files become effective October 1, 2026 and apply to patient encounters and applicable discharges from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Providers should therefore make sure their coding references, EHR systems, charge workflows, and claim-scrubbing tools use the code set applicable to the patient’s date of service.
Using an outdated code list can create avoidable claim rejections even when the clinical documentation itself is accurate.
Depression Coding Checklist for Doctors, Hospitals, and Clinics
Before submitting a depression-related claim, confirm that the record answers the essential clinical questions:
Is depression actually diagnosed, or was the patient only screened?
If MDD is diagnosed, is it a single episode or recurrent?
Is severity documented?
Are psychotic features present or absent when clinically relevant?
Is the condition active or in remission?
Does the ICD-10-CM code accurately represent the provider’s documented diagnosis?
Does the CPT or HCPCS code match the service actually performed?
For psychotherapy, does the documentation support the required time?
If E/M and psychotherapy are both reported, are they separately identifiable and properly documented?
Are payer-specific coverage, authorization, frequency, provider eligibility, telehealth, and modifier requirements satisfied?
These checks can prevent many coding and documentation problems before the claim reaches the payer.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the correct ICD-10 code for depression requires more than deciding whether a patient is “depressed.” Accurate coding depends on the diagnosis documented after clinical evaluation.
F32.A may be appropriate for unspecified depression, but patients with documented major depressive disorder may require a more specific F32 or F33 code based on whether the disorder is single or recurrent, its severity, psychotic features, and remission status.
The same principle applies to procedure coding. Codes such as G0444, 90791, 90792, 90832, 90834, 90837, 90833, 90836, 90838, 90839, and 90840 represent different services and should be reported only when the documented encounter and applicable payer requirements support them.
For doctors, healthcare providers, hospitals, and clinics, the most effective approach is to keep the diagnosis, documentation, procedure, and claim aligned. When those four elements tell the same clinical story, claims are easier to defend, patient records are more accurate, and avoidable denials become less common.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ICD-10 Code for Depression
What is the ICD-10 code for depression?
F32.A represents depression, unspecified. However, this is not the correct code for every patient with depression. More specific codes should be considered when the provider documents major depressive disorder, episode pattern, severity, psychotic features, or remission status.
What is the ICD-10 code for major depressive disorder?
There is no single MDD code for every case. The F32 category includes single-episode MDD diagnoses, while F33 includes recurrent major depressive disorder.
For example, F32.1 represents MDD, single episode, moderate, while F33.1 represents recurrent MDD, moderate.
What is the ICD-10 code for unspecified depression?
The ICD-10 code for unspecified depression is F32.A.
It should be used when the provider’s documentation supports depression but does not establish a more specific depressive disorder.
What is F32.9?
F32.9 represents major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified. It differs from F32.A because F32.9 establishes MDD and a single episode, while F32.A is depression without that degree of specificity.
What is the ICD-10 code for recurrent depression?
Recurrent major depressive disorder is generally reported from the F33 family, with the final code selected according to severity and remission status.
Examples include F33.0 for mild recurrent MDD, F33.1 for moderate recurrent MDD, and F33.2 for severe recurrent MDD without psychotic features.
What CPT code is used for depression screening?
For qualifying Medicare annual depression screening, HCPCS G0444 is used. CMS describes this as annual depression screening and covers the service under specific primary-care requirements.
CPT 96127 may also be relevant to brief emotional/behavioral assessment in appropriate circumstances, subject to payer rules and the service performed.
What CPT codes are commonly used for depression psychotherapy?
Common individual psychotherapy codes include 90832, 90834, and 90837. When psychotherapy is provided with a separately identifiable E/M service by an eligible clinician, the applicable add-on codes include 90833, 90836, and 90838.
Can a provider bill an E/M visit and psychotherapy on the same day?
Potentially, yes, when all applicable requirements are satisfied. CMS states that when E/M and psychotherapy are both reported, the services must be significant and separately identifiable. Psychotherapy time must remain distinct from the E/M work.
Can depression screening and a depression diagnosis be coded together?
It depends on what actually occurred, the reason for the encounter, and the payer’s rules. Preventive screening should not be treated as interchangeable with evaluation or treatment of known or suspected depression. CMS NCCI guidance also restricts separate reporting of G0444 when its work is duplicative of another E/M, psychiatric diagnostic, or psychotherapy service.