How To Use CPT Code 96139

CPT 96139 describes the administration and scoring of psychological or neuropsychological tests by a technician, requiring an additional 30 minutes beyond the initial 30 minutes. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 96139?

CPT 96139 can be used to describe the administration and scoring of psychological or neuropsychological tests by a technician, requiring an additional 30 minutes beyond the initial 30 minutes. This code is used when a technician administers two or more tests and scores them, requiring an extra 30 minutes of time.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 96139 is: ‘Psychological or neuropsychological test administration and scoring by technician, two or more tests, any method; each additional 30 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure).’ Notes: (96138, 96139 may be reported in conjunction with 96130, 96131, 96132, 96133 on the same or different days) (For 96136, 96137, 96138, 96139, do not include time for evaluation services [eg, integration of patient data or interpretation of test results]. This time is included in 96130, 96131, 96132, 96133).

3. Procedure

1. A technician spends an additional 30 minutes administering and scoring psychological or neuropsychological tests. These tests can include personality tests, attitude tests, IQ tests, achievement tests, or neuropsychological tests designed to measure specific psychological functions linked to brain structures or pathways.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 96139 is used when a technician administers two or more psychological or neuropsychological tests and scores them, requiring an additional 30 minutes beyond the initial 30 minutes. This code is applicable when the tests are standardized and aim to assess various aspects of a patient’s psychological or cognitive functioning.

5. When to use CPT code 96139

CPT code 96139 should be used when a technician administers two or more psychological or neuropsychological tests and scores them, requiring an additional 30 minutes beyond the initial 30 minutes. This code should not be used to include time for evaluation services or interpretation of test results, as that time is already included in other codes (96130, 96131, 96132, 96133).

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 96139, the documentation should include:

• Details of the tests administered
• Start and end time of the additional 30-minute period
• Explanation of the method used for administering and scoring the tests
• Signature of the technician who performed the administration and scoring

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 96139, it is important to report it with the primary code 96138 for each additional 30 minutes of administration and scoring of psychological or neuropsychological tests by a technician. This code should not be reported with evaluation services or interpretation of test results codes (96130, 96131, 96132, 96133).

8. Historical information

CPT 96139 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2019. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A technician administers a personality test and an IQ test to a patient, spending an additional 30 minutes beyond the initial 30 minutes to score the tests.
2. A technician administers an achievement test and a neuropsychological test to a patient, requiring an extra 30 minutes to score the tests.
3. A technician administers an attitude test and two cognitive tests to a patient, spending an additional 30 minutes to score the tests.
4. A technician administers two personality tests and a memory test to a patient, requiring an extra 30 minutes for scoring.
5. A technician administers an IQ test and a language test to a patient, spending an additional 30 minutes to score the tests.
6. A technician administers a cognitive test and a neuropsychological test to a patient, requiring an extra 30 minutes for scoring.
7. A technician administers a personality test and an achievement test to a patient, spending an additional 30 minutes beyond the initial 30 minutes to score the tests.
8. A technician administers an attitude test and a memory test to a patient, requiring an extra 30 minutes to score the tests.
9. A technician administers two cognitive tests and a language test to a patient, spending an additional 30 minutes to score the tests.
10. A technician administers an IQ test and a neuropsychological test to a patient, requiring an extra 30 minutes for scoring.