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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesBehavior Change Interventions, IndividualCPT cpt-99406-tobacco-cessation-counseling-3-10-minutes
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    CPT 99406: Tobacco Use Cessation Counseling, 3–10 Minutes

    Medicare pays $16 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 99406 describes a tobacco use cessation counseling visit in which the provider delivers behavioral counseling for more than three minutes up to 10 minutes, typically classified as a preventive/behavioral counseling service provided in an office, clinic, or ambulatory care setting and documented as a discrete counseling encounter for tobacco cessation.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: 2027 Draft Letter to Issuers in the Federally-facilitated Exchanges, Colorectal Cancer Screening Reimbursement Policy, Colorectal Cancer Screening.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult who uses tobacco and presents during a primary care visit expressing interest in quitting or identified by screening as a current tobacco user. The visit occurs in an outpatient clinic or office setting where the clinician (physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant) conducts a focused counseling session lasting more than three minutes and up to ten minutes to advise cessation, assess readiness, discuss strategies (behavioral counseling, pharmacotherapy options such as nicotine replacement, varenicline, or bupropion), and arrange follow-up. The clinical workflow includes tobacco use screening at check-in, documentation of current tobacco status in the medical record, the clinician delivering the brief counseling (99406) during the visit, coding the service on the claim, and scheduling follow-up or referral to a tobacco cessation program as appropriate. Typical sites of service are office/outpatient clinics, community health centers, and behavioral health integrated primary care settings.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    99407Tobacco cessation counseling, intensive, greater than 10 minutesUsed when the counseling session exceeds 10 minutes and more intensive cessation counseling is provided following 99406 principles
    99401Preventive medicine counseling and/or risk factor reduction intervention(s) provided to an individual, approximately 15 minutesMay be used when tobacco counseling is part of a broader preventive counseling visit of longer duration (use payer-specific guidance for bundling)
    G0442Annual alcohol misuse screening, 15 minutes (Note: example preventive code)May be performed in the same preventive context though distinct screening services should be coded separately as applicable
    99496Transitional care management services with high complexity medical decision makingMay be relevant when tobacco cessation is addressed as part of a transitional care management visit post-discharge
    99408Alcohol and/or substance (other than tobacco) abuse structured screening and brief intervention services, 15-30 minutesMay be billed alongside behavioral health interventions when substance use counseling is also provided

    Related Modifiers

    6 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…
    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…
    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…
    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
    2083A0100X
    364S00000X
    2086S0105X
    246ZG0701X
    1223P0300X
    224ZR0403X
    213EP0504X
    261QC1800X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Preventive Services & Screening1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    2027 Draft Letter to Issuers in the Federally-facilitated ExchangesMedicare2027-01-01
    Colorectal Cancer Screening Reimbursement PolicyHealthfirst2026-11-01
    Colorectal Cancer ScreeningOscar Health2026-10-01
    Colorectal Cancer Screening and Surveillanceexcellus_health_plan_inc2026-09-17
    Cervical Cancer Screening Visualization TechnologiesCigna2026-09-15
    Reimbursement for additional office/outpatient services billed with E&M and add-on code G2211Healthfirst2026-09-01
    Mandatory Medicaid Coverage of Routine Patient Costs in Qualifying Clinical Trials (for North Carolina Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Mandatory Medicaid Coverage of Routine Patient Costs in Qualifying Clinical Trials (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Mandatory Medicaid Coverage of Routine Patient Costs in Qualifying Clinical Trials (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Immunizations / VaccinationsUnitedHealthcare2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-99407-TOBACCO-CESSATION-COUNSELING-GREATER-THAN-10-MINUTES

    CPT 99407: Tobacco Use Cessation Counseling >10 Minutes

    CPT-99408-SUBSTANCE-MISUSE-SCREENING-BRIEF-INTERVENTION-15-30-MINUTES

    CPT 99408: Brief Intervention for Alcohol/Non-Tobacco Substance Abuse

    CPT-99409-SCREENING-BRIEF-INTERVENTION-SUBSTANCE-ABUSE-30-PLUS-MIN

    CPT 99409: Screening and Brief Intervention >30 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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