2025 CPT code 96139
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Medicine - Central Nervous System Assessments/Tests Feed
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)
Modifiers may be applicable to provide additional information about the service. Examples include modifier 59 (distinct procedural service) to indicate that the service is separate and distinct from other services provided on the same day, or modifier 76 (repeat procedure by the same physician) if the same testing is repeated by the same technician on a different day. Refer to current CPT guidelines for appropriate modifier usage.
Medical necessity must be established for the underlying reason for the testing. This may include conditions such as head injuries, learning disabilities, or mental health conditions where psychological or neuropsychological testing is indicated for diagnosis or treatment planning.
The technician administers and scores standardized psychological or neuropsychological tests for an additional 30 minutes. This could include tests such as personality assessments, IQ tests, and neuropsychological tests measuring specific brain functions.
In simple words: A technician continues administering and scoring two or more psychological or neuropsychological tests for an additional 30 minutes. This involves giving and grading tests like personality tests, IQ tests, or tests that measure brain function.
This code represents an add-on code for psychological or neuropsychological test administration and scoring by a technician, for two or more tests, using any method, for each additional 30 minutes beyond the initial 30 minutes. It should be listed separately in addition to the primary procedure code (96138). The tests selected, test administration, and method of testing and scoring are the same, regardless of whether performed by a physician, other qualified healthcare professional, or a technician.The time for evaluation services (integration of patient data, interpretation of test results) is not included in this code but is included in the evaluation service codes (96130-96133).
Example 1: A patient is undergoing neuropsychological testing to assess cognitive function after a head injury. The technician spends 60 minutes administering and scoring various tests, including tests of memory, attention, and executive function. Code 96138 is reported for the first 30 minutes, and 96139 is reported for the additional 30 minutes. The physician or other qualified healthcare professional separately reports the evaluation service., A child is being evaluated for learning disabilities. The technician administers and scores a series of tests including tests related to intelligence, memory, and visual-spatial processing. The entire administration and scoring takes 60 minutes. The technician bills 96138 and 96139. The evaluation is performed and billed separately by the ordering provider using the appropriate evaluation code., A patient is undergoing psychological testing to assess personality and emotional functioning as part of a mental health evaluation. The technician spends 90 minutes administering and scoring tests like the MMPI and projective tests. The technician bills 96138, 96139 and 96139. Codes 96138 and 96139 cover the first hour. The additional code 96139 is added on for the additional 30 minutes.A separate code, such as 96130 or 96132 would be billed by the physician for the evaluation of the testing.
Documentation should support the medical necessity of the testing, the specific tests administered, the time spent by the technician in administering and scoring the tests, and the results.The ordering clinicians documentation should reflect the evaluation portion of the service.
** Code 96139 was introduced in 2019 as part of a restructuring of psychological and neuropsychological testing codes. This code represents only the technical component of the service (administration and scoring by a technician) and does not include the professional component (interpretation and report), which is reported separately. Refer to the iFrameAI product for more comprehensive and accurate information for each code.
- Modifier TC rule: No. This is a technical component code.
- Specialties:Psychology, Neuropsychology, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Neurology, Physiatry, Geriatrics
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Independent Clinic, Federally Qualified Health Center