SBIRT - Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment 

This is to identify if a patient has a substance use problem.  It doesn't matter whether the patient screens positive or negative; you can receive compensation for the work performed. If the patient is positive, what are the next steps or protocol in place to address the issue? 

Use the following screening tools: 

Audit 10/MSSI / Craft ( children)- Alcohol questionnaire

DAST - Drug questionnaire

CPT Codes 

H0049- screening code no time attached (Audit 10/MSSi (alcohol) & DAST (drugs)

H0050- Intervention 15 minutes per unit ( must document start & end time)

Diagnosis Codes

Depending on the Payer

Z13.9 (Encounter for screening, unspecified)

Z71.41 (Alcohol abuse counseling and surveillance of alcoholic) 

Z71.51 (Drug abuse counseling and surveillance of drug abuser)

Here's the reimbursement fee schedule for each payer category and Medicare  MLN.

https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/sbirt/coding

https://www.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/medicare-learning-network-mln/mlnproducts/downloads/sbirt_factsheet_icn904084.pdf

Translation Services

When using a vendor for translation services, document the name of the service and the representative's name or ID number on the encounter note.

CPT Codes 

T1013-Sign language or oral interpretive services, per 15 minutes (not covered by Medicare). Please confirm with other payers.

Diagnosis Codes 

Apply the diagnosis codes selected for the visit 

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