The new, confusing CPT codes: tips for documenting and billing to get paid what you deserve

As of January 1, 2013, psychiatrists should be billing for services by using Evaluation and Management Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for any encounter related to medical services. Because detailed information about these CPT codes became available only toward the end of 2012, clinicians had little time to be trained in their use, resulting in widespread confusion about when and how to use these codes for reimbursement. The authors describe strategies that psychiatrists can use to ensure appropriate reimbursement for patient care, such as how to code the initial psychiatric evaluation, acute or chronic conditions, medical decision-making complexity, psychotherapy, counseling, coordination of care, and crisis care. The authors suggest use of templates, with checklists, during patient examinations to facilitate documentation.