What this is, in plain language
An initial intake visit with a mental-health clinician to gather history and establish a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Why a clinician orders it
Starting care with a new mental-health provider.
Medical necessity — what insurers usually look at
Typically billed once per episode of care; some plans require it before therapy or medication management can be billed.
Documentation to ask about
- ✓Clinician credentials
- ✓Diagnosis
- ✓Recommended plan of care
Questions for your provider
- ?Is the clinician credentialed with my plan?
- ?What is my copay or coinsurance for behavioral-health visits?
Why this code is in our seed set
Top-billed behavioral-health intake code; included in the CMS Top 200 Ranked by Services.
Validated against
- •CMS Top 200 Level I CPT Codes Ranked by Services
- •AMA CPT code 90791 descriptor
- •APA Practice Central coding guidance
Terms you'll see
Medical NecessityRead more →
The insurer is reviewing whether the service is clinically appropriate for your situation.
Important: AuraCode is an educational tool. It does not provide medical, legal, or insurance advice, claims decisions, or approval guarantees. Final coverage depends on your specific plan, eligibility, diagnosis, submitted documentation, and your insurer's review.