CPT Code 99408: Alcohol and/or substance abuse structured screening, 15-30 min

When to Use CPT 99408

Use CPT code 99408 when billing for alcohol and/or substance abuse structured screening, 15-30 min. This code is used by licensed therapists (LCSW, LPC, MFT, Psychologist) for outpatient sessions.

Adding CPT 99408 to a Superbill

When generating a superbill with CPT 99408, 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 99408:

Documentation Requirements

Document the specific screening tool used (e.g., AUDIT, CAGE), results, and brief intervention provided. Include patient risk level and referral if applicable.

Common Denial Reasons

• ✗ Screening time under 15 minutes
• ✗ Missing documentation of the specific screening instrument used
• ✗ SBIRT not a covered benefit for the patient plan

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

Reimbursement Expectations

OON reimbursement typically 40-60% of UCR. Expect $12-$36 for the brief intervention.