Evaluation versus administration
Codes 96132 and 96133 cover the neuropsychological evaluation work, while 96136 through 96139 cover test administration and scoring. The first-unit codes, 96136 and 96138, are used once per complete evaluation.
Neuropsychology claims are counted in testing minutes
A neuropsychological evaluation can span several days, two kinds of test administration, and a separate evaluation code, and each part is time-based. Taiga works with mental health practices, drafting codes from your reports for clinician approval and working every denial through appeal.
Book a demoHow testing claims add up
Most errors come from how time is counted and who gave which test.
Psychologist and technician on one day
An NCCI edit blocks 96136 and 96138 on the same day for the same patient unless a modifier shows separate, non-overlapping work. APA guidance points to XE for separate encounters and 59 for the same encounter.
Multi-day evaluations
One Medicare contractor's article says testing spread over several days should be combined and reported on the last date of service. It also lists the referral reason, tests given, time, and the person performing them as required documentation.
Who handles which part
Test selection, interpretation, and reports stay with your neuropsychologists.
The practice keeps
Referral review, testing plans, technician supervision, time logs, final reports, and approval of every code before submission.
Taiga takes on
Eligibility checks, claim scrubbing including modifier edits, submission, patient statements, and every denial and appeal.
Agree on the edges
Decide who requests testing authorizations, how technician time is logged, and when a multi-day evaluation is ready to bill.
Before a neuropsychology fit call
Bring a de-identified evaluation with its time log. Leave patient details off the booking form.
Who administers tests?
Note how often psychologists, technicians, or automated instruments give tests, and how each is documented.
Where do referrals originate?
List neurology, primary care, rehabilitation, and legal or school referrals, since some will not bill to insurance.
How long do evaluations run?
Describe a typical evaluation from intake to feedback, including how many days it spans.
Who this fits
Independent neuropsychology practices that bill insurance and want testing claims checked before they go out. For therapy-focused psychology practices, see the psychology page.
Scope note
Testing coverage and time limits differ across Medicare contractors and commercial plans. This page explains claim structure and does not decide medical necessity for any evaluation.
Questions about neuropsychology billing
Does Taiga bill neuropsychological testing?
Neuropsychology falls within the mental health work Taiga supports. Bring a sample evaluation and your payers so the team can confirm the details.
Can we bill 96136 and 96138 on the same day?
Only with a modifier showing the psychologist and technician did separate, non-overlapping work, because an NCCI edit pairs those codes. APA guidance describes when XE or 59 applies.
How do we bill testing that spans several days?
One Medicare contractor directs practices to combine the testing time and report it on the last date of service. Check your own contractor and commercial plans for their rule.
Does neuropsychological testing include self-report questionnaires?
That contractor article says neuropsychological testing does not rely on self-report questionnaires or rating scales, though time spent integrating them can count in some cases.
Walk Taiga through an evaluation
Share a typical testing workflow and payer list, and see how claims would be prepared and followed up.
System guides show possible billing handoffs, not proven specialty compatibility.