CPT Code 99406: Smoking and tobacco use counseling, 3-10 min

When to Use CPT 99406

Use CPT code 99406 when billing for smoking and tobacco use counseling, 3-10 min. This code is used by licensed therapists (LCSW, LPC, MFT, Psychologist) for outpatient sessions.

Adding CPT 99406 to a Superbill

When generating a superbill with CPT 99406, include the ICD-10 diagnosis code, date of service, fee charged, amount paid, and your NPI number. Superbilled pre-fills common therapy CPT codes automatically.

Common ICD-10 Pairings

These diagnosis codes are frequently used alongside CPT 99406:

Documentation Requirements

Document the cessation counseling provided, duration, and specific strategies discussed. Must be 3-10 minutes of counseling time.

Common Denial Reasons

• ✗ Counseling time under 3 minutes or not documented
• ✗ Tobacco use diagnosis not included on the claim
• ✗ Billed without documentation of specific cessation strategies

Got one of these on a remittance? Decode the denial code.

Reimbursement Expectations

OON reimbursement is modest, typically $8-$21. Some payers cover at 100% as a preventive service.