96132 CPT Code isn't complicated. But most providers mess it up anyway.
The result? Denied claims. Delayed payments. Frustrated billing staff asking why your neuropsychological testing evaluation services keep getting rejected.
Want to know the difference between providers who get paid and those who don't? They understand exactly what 96132 covers, when to use it, and how to document it properly.
This guide shows you how to join the group that gets paid.
What is CPT Code 96132?
The short version: CPT code 96132 covers your professional time as a qualified healthcare professional interpreting neuropsychological test administration results. Not the testing itself—the clinical assessment work performed that happens after test administration and scoring.
What you bill 96132 for:
- Integration of patient data from standardized test results
- Clinical assessment of cognitive function
- Making diagnostic decisions through clinical decision making
- Writing interpretive reports with acquired knowledge
- Providing interactive feedback to patient and family members
- Creating treatment planning based on test results
Time requirement: Minimum 31 minutes of face-to-face time (OR) time interpreting test results. Bill the add on code +96133 for each additional hour beyond the first hour.
Code description: Neuropsychological testing evaluation services by physician or other qualified health care professional, including integration of patient data, interpretation of standardized test results, clinical decision making, treatment planning, and interactive feedback with the patient, family, or caregiver; first hour.
96132 vs 96130: The $200 Difference
Get this wrong and you'll either get denied or underpaid. The primary purpose determines proper use of these evaluation services.
Use 96132 for neuropsychological testing evaluation:
- Cognitive performance testing for memory problems
- Attention/concentration cognitive assessments
- Executive functioning deficits and problem solving abilities
- Brain injuries requiring neurobehavioral status examination
- Dementia evaluations and cognitive impairment screening
- Learning disabilities affecting visual spatial abilities
Use 96130 for psychological testing evaluation services:
- Depression screening with standardized instrument
- Anxiety assessments through clinical data
- Personality testing and other services
- Trauma evaluations
- Risk assessments for early detection
The rule: If you're evaluating cognitive function and neurobehavioral status, use 96132. If you're evaluating mood/behavior without neuropsychological instrument use, use 96130.
Some insurance companies will deny neuropsychological testing evaluation services for depression/anxiety cases even if you included cognitive testing. Know your payers and ensure medical necessity is clear.
Time Tracking That Actually Works
Stop guessing. Start tracking your work performed for proper coding.
What counts toward 96132 evaluation services:
- Reviewing test protocols and clinical data
- Test administration and scoring analysis
- Writing reports with acquired knowledge
- Interactive feedback sessions with patient
- Treatment planning based on standardized test results
What doesn't count for neuropsychological testing evaluation:
- Actual neuropsychological test administration (that's 96136/96138)
- Single automated test administration (that's 96146)
- Scheduling calls and other services
- Filing paperwork
Pro tip: Document your face to face time and time interpreting test results as you go. Not at the end of the week when you can't remember the services provided.
Example Billing Scenarios (That Work)
ADHD Evaluation with Cognitive Assessments
- Day 1: 90791 (diagnostic interview) + 96146 (single automated psychological test via electronic platform)
- Day 2: 96132 (neuropsychological testing evaluation with interpretation + interactive feedback, 50 minutes total)
TBI Assessment with Neurobehavioral Status Exam
- Day 1: 96132 (records review + clinical assessment, 45 minutes)
- Day 2: 96138 (technician-performed test administration) + 96133 (additional hour of evaluation services, 35 minutes)
Dementia Workup for Cognitive Impairment
- Session 1: 96132 (comprehensive neuropsychological testing evaluation, 60 minutes of face to face time)
- Session 2: 96133 (family meeting + treatment planning with interactive feedback, 25 minutes)
Notice: You can split 96132 time across multiple sessions for services performed. Just document the work performed clearly with proper coding practices.
Common Mistakes That Cost You Money
Mistake 1: Billing 96132 for PHQ-9 and GAD-7 screening without neuropsychological instrument
Fix: Use 96127 for brief assessments with standardized instrument
Mistake 2: Billing E&M code same day as 96132 for same clinical assessment
Fix: Pick one or use modifier -25 if truly separate other services
Mistake 3: Not tracking face to face time across multiple sessions for evaluation services
Fix: Keep running total of time interpreting test results and services performed
Mistake 4: Using 96132 for purely psychological testing evaluation services without cognitive function assessment
Fix: Know when to use 96130 instead based on primary purpose
Mistake 5: Billing single automated test administration under 96132
Fix: Use 96146 for electronic tests via electronic platform with automated result
Documentation That Survives Audits
Insurance companies audit neuropsychological testing evaluation services more than any other mental health service. Here's what they want to see for medical necessity:
Essential elements for proper use:
- Why was neuropsychological testing needed? (medical necessity)
- What specific questions were you answering with cognitive assessments?
- How much face to face time did the qualified healthcare professional spend?
- What clinical decision making occurred based on standardized test results?
Sample documentation: "45 minutes spent analyzing WAIS-IV, WMS-IV protocols as qualified health care professional. Test results indicate significant working memory deficits (2nd percentile) with preserved verbal reasoning (75th percentile), consistent with cognitive impairment pattern. Clinical decision making led to recommendations for cognitive rehabilitation and workplace accommodations. 20-minute interactive feedback session with patient to review neuropsychological testing evaluation findings and treatment planning."
Keep it specific about services provided. Keep it timed for proper coding. Keep it focused on your clinical assessment and acquired knowledge.
Payer Rules You Need to Know
Medicare: Covers neuropsychological testing evaluation services but requires detailed medical necessity documentation for cognitive assessments
Medicaid: Coverage varies by state for psychological and neuropsychological testing. Some require prior auth for evaluation services.
Commercial: Often limit number of hours per year for neuropsychological testing evaluation. Check benefits first for proper use.
All payers: Want to see functional cognitive impairment, not just test results from standardized instrument.
What's Working Now
Recent changes in coding practices you should know about:
- Telehealth: 96132 is approved for remote delivery and will stay that way at least through the end of 2025. This started during the COVID public health emergency and got extended by Medicare -many private payers follow the same rule.
- Computer testing: 96146 increasingly accepted for single automated psychological testing via electronic platform
- Prior auth: More payers requiring approval upfront for neuropsychological testing evaluation
Bottom line: The coding guidelines are getting stricter, but if you follow proper coding practices for evaluation services, you'll get paid for high quality care.
Clear Differentiation of CPT Codes
Code | What It Covers | Time Required | Add-on Code | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
96132 | Neuropsychological testing evaluation services | 31+ minutes | +96133 | Cognitive function assessment |
96130 | Psychological testing evaluation services | 31+ minutes | +96131 | Emotional/behavioral assessment |
96136 | Test administration by qualified healthcare professional | 16+ minutes | +96137 | Direct neuropsychological test administration |
96138 | Test administration by technician | 16+ minutes | +96139 | Supervised test administration and scoring |
96146 | Single automated test administration | Per instrument | None | Electronic tests with automated result |
Automating Therapy Notes with AI
With the advancement of technology, many mental health professionals are turning to AI Therapy Note tools like Supanote to automate their documentation. These tools automate the creation of progress notes, reducing the time spent on paperwork and allowing more focus on patient care.
Benefits of using AI for group therapy documentation include:
- Consistency in note structure
- Time savings
- Improved accuracy in capturing session details
- Easy integration of individual responses within group context
Tools like Supanote can also support documentation for neuropsychological testing evaluations. The platform helps clinicians capture interpretive summaries, structure reports using standardized templates like SOAP, DAP, GIRP, BIRP and many other neuro-assessment-specific formats, and accurately track time spent on evaluation activities. This is especially valuable for services billed under CPT code 96132, where clear, detailed documentation of clinical decision-making and cognitive assessment is essential for reimbursement and audit readiness.
Get your Personal AI Scribe
Let Supanote handle the 96132 documentation burden while you focus on what matters most - your patients
Try Supanote for Free Now!
Resources That Actually Help
APA Billing Guidelines : Updated annually, worth reading for coding practices
Your State Association: Most offer webinars, workshops, and newsletters covering billing changes and local payer rules. For example, Texas Psychological Association, California Psychological Association
Peer Support & Practice Management Communities – Online groups or professional forums (like APA Practice Organization, or even private Facebook/LinkedIn groups) where clinicians trade notes on billing, insurance appeals, and tricky cases involving cognitive assessments
FAQ: What Therapists Actually Ask
Q: Can LCSWs bill 96132 as qualified health care professional?
A: If neuropsychological testing evaluation is in your scope of practice and you're credentialed with the payer for evaluation services. Check both.
Q: How often can I bill 96132 for the same patient?
A: When medical necessity exists for neuropsychological testing evaluation. Document what's changed since last cognitive assessments.
Q: What if I don't have exactly one hour of face to face time?
A: 31 minutes = bill 96132. 91 minutes = bill 96132 + 96133 add on code.
Q: Can I bill 96132 and 90834 same day for services provided?
A: Yes, if separate other services. Use modifier -25 and document clear differentiation clearly.
Q: What about group neuropsychological testing evaluation?
A: Bill per individual patient. Each gets their own 96132 for services performed.
Q: Do I need special training to bill 96132 as qualified healthcare professional?
A: You need competency in neuropsychological testing evaluation services. Training requirements vary by state for proper use.
Q: What if insurance denies my neuropsychological testing evaluation claim?
A: Check denial reason. Usually it's documentation or medical necessity for cognitive assessments. Most are appealable.
Q: Should I get prior auth for evaluation services?
A: When in doubt, yes. Takes 5 minutes, saves weeks of headache for psychological and neuropsychological testing.
Q: How long do I keep test protocols from neuropsychological test administration?
A: Follow your state requirements. Usually 7-10 years minimum for services provided.
Q: Can I use 96132 for learning disability testing and cognitive performance testing?
A: Yes, if you're evaluating cognitive function with neuropsychological instrument. Document educational impact clearly for medical necessity.
Q: What's the difference between test administration and evaluation services?
A: Test administration and scoring (96136/96138) covers giving tests. Evaluation services (96132) covers the practitioner providing interpretation, clinical decision making, and treatment planning based on test results.
Q: Can I bill for electronic tests using 96132?
A: No, single automated test administration via electronic platform uses 96146. Use 96132 only for interpretation of those automated result by qualified health care professional.
Ready to try? 10 notes on us!
Login to your Supanote account and instantly access 10 free notes
Try Supanote for Free Now!