CurrentOptumPolicy N/A

'MIXED' BATTERIES: HINTS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING

Guidance for billing Test Evaluation codes (psychological vs neuropsychological) when both types of measures are administered; intended for providers submitting claims to Optum.

Policy Summary

PayerOptum

Policy'MIXED' BATTERIES: HINTS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING

Policy CodePolicy N/A

Change TypeNo material change

Effective DateN/A

Next Review DateN/A

Key ActionSelect and bill the single set of Test Evaluation codes that best describes the predominant referral question or reason for testing when both psychological and neuropsychological measures are administered.

SourceLink

POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.

2code groups referenced

96130–96133example CPT series

1sets to bill per encounter

2definitions provided

Billing Criteria for Mixed Test Batteries

Mixed battery billing criteria

Billing determination when both psychological and neuropsychological tests are administered:

Choose the single set of Test Evaluation codes (psychological 96130/96131 or neuropsychological 96132/96133) that best matches the predominant referral question or reason for testing.

Administration of tests from both domains in the same evaluation is permitted and does not require billing both code sets; billing is driven by the overall purpose for testing, not by each individual test administered.

When both types of measures are administered, select and bill the single set of Test Evaluation codes that most closely describes the predominant referral question or reason for testing.

Definitions: Psychological Test Evaluation Services: formal procedures using reliable, validated tests to measure intellectual, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning and to identify psychopathology, personality style, interpersonal processes, and adaptive skills.

Policy Summary

PayerOptum

Policy'MIXED' BATTERIES: HINTS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING

Policy CodePolicy N/A

Change TypeNo material change

Effective DateN/A

Next Review DateN/A

SourceLink

On This Page

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

What Providers Must Do When Billing Mixed Batteries

Billing Rule

Bill single Test Evaluation code set that matches the predominant reason for testing

When both psychological and neuropsychological measures are administered, determine which set of Test Evaluation codes (96130/96131 or 96132/96133) most closely describes the predominant referral question or reason for testing, and bill only that single set of codes. Administering tests from both domains is permitted, but billing must reflect the overall purpose for testing rather than each individual test performed.

Choose either the psychological codes (96130/96131) or the neuropsychological codes (96132/96133) — not both — based on the predominant referral question.
You may administer measures from both domains during the evaluation; selection of codes is driven by overall purpose, not by every test given.

Definitions

inv-04: Psychological Test Evaluation Services

DefinitionPsychological Test Evaluation Services are formal procedures using reliable and validated tests to measure intellectual, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning and to identify psychopathology, personality style, interpersonal processes, and adaptive skills.

ScopeCovers standardized assessments and interpretation aimed at evaluating emotional and behavioral functioning as well as personality and adaptive skills.

PurposeUsed to address referral questions about mental health, behavioral concerns, personality, and adaptive functioning to inform diagnosis and treatment planning.

ReferenceSee Psychological and Neuropsychological Testing Guidelines on Provider Express under Clinical Resources for full policy details.

inv-05: Neuropsychological Test Evaluation Services

DefinitionNeuropsychological Test Evaluation Services are formal procedures using reliable and valid tests specifically focused on identifying the presence of brain damage, injury, or dysfunction and any associated functional deficits.

ScopeIncludes standardized cognitive and neurobehavioral assessments that evaluate brain-related impairments and their impact on functioning.

PurposeUsed to address referral questions about suspected brain injury or neurological dysfunction to guide diagnosis, rehabilitation, and functional recommendations.

ReferenceSee Psychological and Neuropsychological Testing Guidelines on Provider Express under Clinical Resources for full policy details.

OpenPayer

'MIXED' BATTERIES: HINTS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING

Billing Criteria for Mixed Test Batteries

Test Evaluation CPT Codes

What Providers Must Do When Billing Mixed Batteries

Definitions

96130	Psychological testing evaluation services (example series cited)
96131	Psychological testing add-on (example series cited)

96132	Neuropsychological testing evaluation services (example series cited)
96133	Neuropsychological testing add-on (example series cited)