CPT 96138 reports the administration and scoring of psychological or neuropsychological tests by a technician, for the first half-hour.
When to use 96138
Use 96138 when a technician administers and scores standardized tests. When the clinician personally administers the tests, use 96136 instead.
How to bill it
Report for the first half-hour and add 96139 for each additional half-hour of technician administration and scoring.
Common pitfalls
- Using 96138 when the clinician administered the tests (use 96136).
- Forgetting the 96139 add-on for additional technician time.
Frequently asked questions
How do 96138 and 96136 differ?
96138 is technician administration and scoring; 96136 is administration and scoring by the physician or qualified health professional.
How do I bill more technician time?
Add 96139 for each additional half-hour of technician administration and scoring.