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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesHealth Behavior Assessment and Intervention ProceduresCPT cpt-96165-group-counseling-cognitive-emotional-health-management
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    CPT 96165: Group Counseling for Health Behavior, Additional 15 Min

    Medicare pays $5 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 96165 describes a provider-delivered group counseling service where a behavioral health professional (commonly a psychologist) delivers counseling and strategies to address cognitive, emotional, social, and cultural factors that affect management of patients’ physical health problems; this code represents each additional 15 minutes of face-to-face group intervention and is typically delivered in ambulatory clinic or outpatient behavioral health settings.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Pediatric Neurodevelopmental and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening Corporate Medical Policy, Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for New Mexico Only), Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for North Carolina Only).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A patient with a chronic medical condition such as poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or chronic pain participates in a group behavioral health visit led by a licensed psychologist. The session is a face‑to‑face encounter with two or more patients focusing on cognitive and emotional strategies, self‑management skills, and social or cultural factors that affect physical health management. Typical workflow: referral from primary care or specialty clinic; pre‑visit triage and check‑in documenting consent for group therapy; a psychologist documents baseline functional status, group goals, topics covered (for example, stress management, adherence strategies, coping with chronic illness), time spent per patient block; and post‑visit plan including follow‑up appointments and coordination with the referring clinician. Billing is per additional 15‑minute increments of group counseling when the base code for the initial 30‑minute group session is reported and medical necessity is documented in the chart.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    96166Health and behavior intervention, each additional 15 minutes (family-focused)Used for additional 15‑minute increments when the intervention is family‑focused rather than group patient‑to‑patient.
    96164Health and behavior intervention, each additional 15 minutes (individual)Used for individual counseling sessions addressing cognitive, emotional, social factors for medical management; performed before or after group treatment.
    90853Group psychotherapy (other than family)Alternative group psychotherapy code; used when clinical content meets psychotherapy rather than health and behavior intervention definitions.
    99406Smoking and tobacco use cessation counseling visit, intermediate, greater than 3 minutes up to 10 minutesCommon brief counseling that may be provided in the same clinic visit or as follow‑up for behavior change topics covered in group sessions.
    G0444Annual depression screening, 15 minutesScreening often performed as part of behavioral health management in patients with chronic medical conditions; may trigger referral to group interventions.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    95Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    103T00000X
    2084P0800X
    225B00000X
    246ZC0007X
    225500000X
    207ZD0900X
    364SH1100X
    283XC2000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    24 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E11.9Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications
    F07.81Postconcussional syndrome
    F10.20Alcohol dependence, uncomplicated
    F17.200Nicotine dependence, unspecified, uncomplicated
    F32.1Major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate
    F33.1Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate
    F34.1Dysthymic disorder
    F41.1Generalized anxiety disorder
    F41.9Anxiety disorder, unspecified
    F43.10Post-traumatic stress disorder, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 24

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Pediatrics/Neonatology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Pediatric Neurodevelopmental and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for North Carolina Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for Pennsylvania Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Clinical Policy: NICU Apnea Bradycardia GuidelinesAmbetter Nevada2026-10-01
    DRG Newborn Inpatient Stays - FacilityBlue Cross Blue Shield - Maine2026-10-01
    Pediatric Preventive ScreeningOscar Health2026-10-01
    Infant Nutritional FormulaCigna2026-09-15
    Pediatric Preventive ScreeningBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04

    Related Codes

    CPT-96156-HEALTH-BEHAVIOR-ASSESSMENT

    CPT 96156: Health Behavior Assessment, General Health Factors

    CPT-96158-BEHAVIORAL-HEALTH-COUNSELING-HEALTH-MANAGEMENT-30-MIN

    CPT 96158: Psychological Counseling for Health Management

    CPT-96159-INDIVIDUAL-HEALTH-MANAGEMENT-COUNSELING-15MIN

    CPT 96159: Additional 15-Min Individual Behavioral Counseling

    CPT-96160-STANDARDIZED-RISK-QUESTIONNAIRE-SCREENING-SCORING

    CPT 96160: Standardized Questionnaire for Health Risk Screening and Scoring

    CPT-96161-CAREGIVER-RISK-SCREENING-QUESTIONNAIRE-ASSESSMENT

    CPT 96161: Caregiver Risk Questionnaire Assessment

    CPT-96164-GROUP-BEHAVIORAL-HEALTH-COUNSELING-30-MIN

    CPT 96164: Group Counseling for Cognitive/Emotional Management, 30 min

    CPT-96167-FAMILY-INTERVIEW-COUNSELING-INITIAL-30-MINUTES

    CPT 96167: Family Interview and Counseling, Initial 30 Minutes

    CPT-96168-FAMILY-BEHAVIORAL-HEALTH-FAMILY-COUNSELING-15MIN

    CPT 96168: Family Interview and Counseling, 15-Minute Increment

    CPT-96170-FAMILY-BEHAVIORAL-HEALTH-INTERVIEW-COUNSELING-INITIAL-30-MINUTES

    CPT 96170: Family Psychotherapy Without Patient, Initial 30 Minutes

    CPT-96171-FAMILY-INTERVENTION-WITHOUT-PATIENT

    CPT 96171: Family Counseling, Patient Not Present, per 15 Minutes

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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