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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesPreventive Medicine, Individual CounselingCPT cpt-99404-preventive-counseling-60-minute-session
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    CPT 99404: Preventive Counseling, 60-Minute Session

    CPT code 99404 describes a standalone preventive counseling visit of approximately 60 minutes in which a clinician provides age- and risk-appropriate counseling on prevention and risk factor reduction; service type: preventive counseling/behavioral counseling; typical site of service: outpatient clinic or ambulatory care setting separate from a routine preventive medicine visit.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Surgical Procedures, Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Service, Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in Adults.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 52-year-old patient presents separately from their annual preventive visit requesting a focused, one-hour counseling session on chronic disease prevention and risk reduction. The patient has concerns about smoking cessation, weight management, and family history of cardiovascular disease. The clinical workflow begins with front-desk scheduling indicating a separate behavioral counseling visit. The medical assistant obtains vitals and a brief problem list. The clinician (primary care physician or a qualified non-physician provider) documents an extended, structured counseling session lasting approximately 60 minutes that addresses age-appropriate screening, lifestyle modification, and individualized risk-reduction strategies. The visit is billed as 99404 because it is a stand-alone prevention counseling encounter separate from an annual wellness or preventive medicine visit. Follow-up planning, referrals to community resources or wellness programs, and documentation of time, topics covered, and patient understanding are recorded in the chart. Typical sites of service are ambulatory clinic examination rooms, outpatient behavioral health or wellness centers, and telehealth platforms when supported by the payer for counseling services.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    99401Preventive medicine counseling and/or risk factor reduction intervention(s) provided to an individual; approximately 15 minutesShorter counseling sessions that may precede referral or escalation to a 99404 one-hour session.
    99402Preventive medicine counseling and/or risk factor reduction intervention(s) provided to an individual; approximately 30 minutesIntermediate-length counseling that can be used for follow-up visits or stepped care.
    99403Preventive medicine counseling and/or risk factor reduction intervention(s) provided to an individual; approximately 45 minutesCounseling sessions of intermediate duration often scheduled when less than the 60-minute 99404 is needed.
    99411Group counseling by a physician or other qualified health care professional (approximately 30 minutes)Group-based preventive counseling offered as an alternative or adjunct to individualized 99404 sessions.
    90853Group psychotherapy (other than of a multiple-family group)Behavioral health group interventions that may complement individual prevention counseling.

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    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…
    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…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    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…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    24Modifier 24 denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional during a postoperative global period. Per CPT guidance,…- Use modifier 24 when you report an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or same-specialty group during a procedure’s postoperative global period that is unrelated…
    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…
    33Modifier 33 was created by the American Medical Association in response to the Affordable Care Act to identify services provided for preventive intent. It is appended to CPT/HCPCS codes that could be…- Use modifier -33 when a CPT/HCPCS service that can be billed as either preventive or diagnostic/treatment is provided with preventive intent and aligns with USPSTF A or B recommendations or other…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    207R00000X
    103T00000X
    163W00000X
    102L00000X
    246QH0600X
    146L00000X
    2279H0200X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    27 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E66.01Morbid (severe) obesity due to excess calories
    E66.9Obesity, unspecified
    E78.5Hyperlipidemia, unspecified
    F10.20Alcohol dependence, uncomplicated
    F17.210Nicotine dependence, cigarettes, uncomplicated
    F32.9Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified
    F41.1Generalized anxiety disorder
    I10Essential (primary) hypertension
    Z00.00Encounter for general adult medical examination without abnormal findings
    Z00.129Encounter for routine child health examination without abnormal findings

    Showing 1–10 of 27

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: General Surgery1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Surgical ProceduresUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of ServiceUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in AdultsPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in AdultsPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) SelectPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Select — Site of Service for Ambulatory Surgical Procedures (ASC Select)Premera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) SelectPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Servicesierra health and life2026-08-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines — Inpatient Surgical CareMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-08-01
    Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) - Site of Care PolicyKaiser Permanente2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-99401-PREVENTIVE-COUNSELING-15-MINUTE-SESSION

    CPT 99401: Brief Preventive Counseling, ~15 Minutes

    CPT-99402-PREVENTIVE-COUNSELING-30-MINUTE-SESSION

    CPT 99402: Preventive Counseling, 30-Minute Session

    CPT-99403-PREVENTIVE-COUNSELING-RISK-REDUCTION-45MIN

    CPT 99403: Preventive Counseling, 45-Minute Session

    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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