HCPCS H2011: Crisis Intervention Service, per 15 Minutes

HCPCS Level II code H2011 describes crisis intervention service, billed per 15 minutes, a short-term behavioral health service focused on immediate stabilization during an acute psychiatric or psychosocial crisis; service type: crisis intervention; typical site of service: outpatient behavioral health settings, community crisis centers, mobile crisis teams, or emergency department behavioral health areas.

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HCPCS H2011: Crisis Intervention Service, per 15 Minutes

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 28-year-old patient presents to an emergency department by ambulance after expressing active suicidal ideation with intent following an acute stressor. Triage identifies acute behavioral health crisis with risk of harm to self. A licensed clinician (such as a psychiatric nurse clinician, licensed clinical social worker, or psychiatrist) performs an immediate crisis intervention session focusing on rapid risk assessment, de-escalation, safety planning, brief stabilization, coordination of emergent resources, and disposition planning. Services are delivered in 15-minute increments and billed as H2011 per 15 minutes. Typical workflow includes triage and initial medical clearance by emergency medicine, bedside or private-room crisis evaluation by the behavioral health clinician, documentation of mental status, risk factors, interventions used (verbal de-escalation, brief counseling, safety plan), communication with the ED team and family, and arrangement of next steps (admission to inpatient psychiatry, transfer to community crisis center, or outpatient follow-up). The typical site of service is emergency department, crisis stabilization unit, mobile crisis response settings, or community behavioral health center when provided during an acute crisis.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`90791`	Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation (no medical services)	Often performed as a comprehensive diagnostic follow-up when crisis intervention (`H2011`) identifies ongoing psychiatric needs.
`90832`	Psychotherapy, 30 minutes with patient	May be provided following initial crisis stabilization for more structured psychotherapy if clinically appropriate.
`90846`	Family psychotherapy (without patient present)	May be used when family counseling is needed as part of crisis disposition but separate from the patient-facing `H2011` intervention.
`99281`–`99285`	Emergency department visit levels (varying complexity)	Medical clearance, triage, and concurrent ED evaluation document medical necessity for the crisis intervention billed as `H2011`.
`99492`	Initial psychiatric collaborative care management, first 70 minutes in first month	May be part of ongoing care planning after an acute crisis; used in collaborative care models subsequent to crisis stabilization.

Related Modifiers

6 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
22	Modifier –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…
23	Modifier -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…
59	Modifier 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…
95	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
101Y00000X	Counselor	A provider who is trained and educated in the performance of behavior health services through interpersonal communications and analysis. Training and …
1041C0700X	Clinical Social Worker	A social worker who holds a master's or doctoral degree in social work from an accredited school of social work in addition to at least two years of p…
106H00000X	Marriage & Family Therapist	A marriage and family therapist is a person with a master's degree in marriage and family therapy, or a master's or doctoral degree in a related menta…
106E00000X	Assistant Behavior Analyst	An assistant behavior analyst is qualified by Behavior Analyst Certification Board certification and/or a state-issued license or credential in behavi…
2084B0002X	Obesity Medicine (Psychiatry & Neurology) Physician	A physician who specializes in the treatment of obesity demonstrates competency in and a thorough understanding of the treatment of obesity and the ge…
246ZC0007X	Surgical Assistant	A surgical assistant is a skilled practitioner who has undergone formalized education and training as a surgical assistant. The surgical assistant per…
282NC2000X	Children's Hospital	Hospitals · General Acute Care Hospital
261QX0203X	Radiation Oncology Clinic/Center	Ambulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

27 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
F06.4	Anxiety disorder due to known physiological condition
F10.20	Alcohol dependence, uncomplicated
F11.20	Opioid dependence, uncomplicated
F12.20	Cannabis dependence, uncomplicated
F19.10	Other psychoactive substance abuse, uncomplicated
F20.9	Schizophrenia, unspecified
F32.9	Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified
F33.1	Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate
F41.0	Panic disorder [episodic paroxysmal anxiety]
F41.1	Generalized anxiety disorder

Showing 1–10 of 27

HCPCS H0001: Alcohol and/or Drug Assessment

HCPCS-H0002-BEHAVIORAL-HEALTH-SCREENING-ADMISSION-ELIGIBILITY

HCPCS H0002: Behavioral Health Screening for Treatment Admission

HCPCS-H0003-ALCOHOL-DRUG-SCREENING-LAB-ANALYSIS

HCPCS Level II H0003: Alcohol and/or Drug Screening Laboratory Analysis

HCPCS-H0004-BEHAVIORAL-HEALTH-COUNSELING-15-MINUTE

HCPCS H0004: Behavioral Health Counseling and Therapy, per 15 Minutes

HCPCS-H0005-GROUP-COUNSELING-SUBSTANCE-USE-CLINICIAN

HCPCS H0005: Alcohol and/or Drug Group Counseling by Clinician

HCPCS-H0006-ALCOHOL-DRUG-CASE-MANAGEMENT

HCPCS H0006: Alcohol and/or Drug Services, Case Management

HCPCS-H0007-ALCOHOL-DRUG-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-OUTPATIENT

HCPCS H0007: Alcohol and/or Drug Crisis Intervention (Outpatient)

HCPCS-H0008-SUB-ACUTE-DETOXIFICATION-HOSPITAL-INPATIENT

HCPCS H0008: Alcohol and/or Drug Sub-Acute Detoxification (Inpatient)

HCPCS-H0009-ACUTE-DETOXIFICATION-HOSPITAL-INPATIENT

HCPCS Level II H0009: Acute Detoxification, Hospital Inpatient

HCPCS-H0010-SUB-ACUTE-RESIDENTIAL-DETOXIFICATION

HCPCS H0010: Sub-Acute Detoxification, Residential Inpatient

Showing 1–10 of 93

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`90791`	Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation (no medical services)	Often performed as a comprehensive diagnostic follow-up when crisis intervention (`H2011`) identifies ongoing psychiatric needs.
`90832`	Psychotherapy, 30 minutes with patient	May be provided following initial crisis stabilization for more structured psychotherapy if clinically appropriate.
`90846`	Family psychotherapy (without patient present)	May be used when family counseling is needed as part of crisis disposition but separate from the patient-facing `H2011` intervention.
`99281`–`99285`	Emergency department visit levels (varying complexity)	Medical clearance, triage, and concurrent ED evaluation document medical necessity for the crisis intervention billed as `H2011`.
`99492`	Initial psychiatric collaborative care management, first 70 minutes in first month	May be part of ongoing care planning after an acute crisis; used in collaborative care models subsequent to crisis stabilization.

Related Modifiers

6 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
22	Modifier –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…
23	Modifier -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…
59	Modifier 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…
95	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
101Y00000X	Counselor	A provider who is trained and educated in the performance of behavior health services through interpersonal communications and analysis. Training and …
1041C0700X	Clinical Social Worker	A social worker who holds a master's or doctoral degree in social work from an accredited school of social work in addition to at least two years of p…
106H00000X	Marriage & Family Therapist	A marriage and family therapist is a person with a master's degree in marriage and family therapy, or a master's or doctoral degree in a related menta…
106E00000X	Assistant Behavior Analyst	An assistant behavior analyst is qualified by Behavior Analyst Certification Board certification and/or a state-issued license or credential in behavi…
2084B0002X	Obesity Medicine (Psychiatry & Neurology) Physician	A physician who specializes in the treatment of obesity demonstrates competency in and a thorough understanding of the treatment of obesity and the ge…
246ZC0007X	Surgical Assistant	A surgical assistant is a skilled practitioner who has undergone formalized education and training as a surgical assistant. The surgical assistant per…
282NC2000X	Children's Hospital	Hospitals · General Acute Care Hospital
261QX0203X	Radiation Oncology Clinic/Center	Ambulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

27 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
F06.4	Anxiety disorder due to known physiological condition
F10.20	Alcohol dependence, uncomplicated
F11.20	Opioid dependence, uncomplicated
F12.20	Cannabis dependence, uncomplicated
F19.10	Other psychoactive substance abuse, uncomplicated
F20.9	Schizophrenia, unspecified
F32.9	Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified
F33.1	Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate
F41.0	Panic disorder [episodic paroxysmal anxiety]
F41.1	Generalized anxiety disorder

Showing 1–10 of 27

HCPCS H0001: Alcohol and/or Drug Assessment

HCPCS-H0002-BEHAVIORAL-HEALTH-SCREENING-ADMISSION-ELIGIBILITY

HCPCS H0002: Behavioral Health Screening for Treatment Admission

HCPCS-H0003-ALCOHOL-DRUG-SCREENING-LAB-ANALYSIS

HCPCS Level II H0003: Alcohol and/or Drug Screening Laboratory Analysis

HCPCS-H0004-BEHAVIORAL-HEALTH-COUNSELING-15-MINUTE

HCPCS H0004: Behavioral Health Counseling and Therapy, per 15 Minutes

HCPCS-H0005-GROUP-COUNSELING-SUBSTANCE-USE-CLINICIAN

HCPCS H0005: Alcohol and/or Drug Group Counseling by Clinician

HCPCS-H0006-ALCOHOL-DRUG-CASE-MANAGEMENT

HCPCS H0006: Alcohol and/or Drug Services, Case Management

HCPCS-H0007-ALCOHOL-DRUG-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-OUTPATIENT

HCPCS H0007: Alcohol and/or Drug Crisis Intervention (Outpatient)

HCPCS-H0008-SUB-ACUTE-DETOXIFICATION-HOSPITAL-INPATIENT

HCPCS H0008: Alcohol and/or Drug Sub-Acute Detoxification (Inpatient)

HCPCS-H0009-ACUTE-DETOXIFICATION-HOSPITAL-INPATIENT

HCPCS Level II H0009: Acute Detoxification, Hospital Inpatient

HCPCS-H0010-SUB-ACUTE-RESIDENTIAL-DETOXIFICATION

HCPCS H0010: Sub-Acute Detoxification, Residential Inpatient

Showing 1–10 of 93

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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.

Published by

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HCPCS H2011: Crisis Intervention Service, per 15 Minutes

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HCPCS H2011: Crisis Intervention Service, per 15 Minutes

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

References

HCPCS H2011: Crisis Intervention Service, per 15 Minutes

Sign up for hcpcs H2011 policy alerts

HCPCS H2011: Crisis Intervention Service, per 15 Minutes

Sign up for hcpcs H2011 policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

What does HCPCS code H2011 represent and where is it typically provided?

Which modifiers indicate H2011 was provided via telehealth?

When should I use modifiers to indicate distinct, increased, reduced, or discontinued H2011 services?

What related CPT codes might accompany or follow an H2011 crisis intervention?

Which diagnoses or clinical situations in the documentation align with billing H2011?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related ICD-10-CM Codes

Related Codes

What does HCPCS code H2011 represent and where is it typically provided?

Which modifiers indicate H2011 was provided via telehealth?

When should I use modifiers to indicate distinct, increased, reduced, or discontinued H2011 services?

What related CPT codes might accompany or follow an H2011 crisis intervention?

Which diagnoses or clinical situations in the documentation align with billing H2011?

References