Psychological Testing CPT Codes (2026)

CMS defines a family of CPT codes that cover the full psychological testing workflow — from initial screening through test administration to clinical evaluation. These codes give practices a structured, efficient framework for identifying and addressing mental health conditions. Understanding how they work together is essential for any practice that screens for mental health conditions.

The code family separates testing into three independently billable stages, allowing practices to screen broadly, administer comprehensive tests when indicated, and bill separately for the provider’s evaluation and treatment planning work.

The Three Stages of Psychological Testing

The new CPT code family separates psychological testing into three distinct, independently billable stages:

Stage 1: Screening — CPT 96127

CPT 96127 covers brief emotional and behavioral assessment with scoring and documentation, per standardized instrument. This is the initial screening step — casting a wide net to identify patients who may need further evaluation.

• 2026 Medicare rate: $4.97 per unit (max 3 units/visit)
• Who can bill: Any physician or QHP
• What it covers: Brief screening with a standardized instrument
• Minimum requirements: One instrument administered and scored

Screening is designed to be applied broadly across patient populations. It does not require medical necessity justification beyond the visit itself.

Stage 2: Test Administration — CPT 96136 / 96138

Once screening identifies a need for further evaluation, comprehensive tests are administered and scored. CMS provides two paths based on who performs the work:

CPT 96136 — Provider Administration

• 2026 Medicare rate: $43.94 (first 30 min); 96137 for each additional 30 min
• Who administers: Physician or QHP directly
• Minimum time: 16 minutes total time
• Requirements: Two or more tests, any method

CPT 96138 — Technician Administration

• 2026 Medicare rate: $37.73 (first 30 min); 96139 for each additional 30 min
• Who administers: Technician under provider supervision
• Minimum time: 16 minutes total time
• Requirements: Two or more tests, any method

CPT 96146 — Single Instrument, Automated Computer Administration

• Who administers: Computer (automated)
• What it covers: Single automated instrument via electronic platform, automated result only
• Key limitation: Single instrument only; no provider/technician involvement in administration

Important distinction: 96136 and 96138 require two or more tests administered by any method. 96146 covers a single automated instrument only. If your practice uses a computerized platform that administers multiple tests (like Connected Mind), the appropriate code is 96136 or 96138 (depending on who oversees the session), not 96146.

Stage 3: Evaluation — CPT 96130

CPT 96130 covers the professional work that happens after tests are administered: reviewing results, integrating clinical data, making treatment decisions, writing the report, and delivering feedback to the patient.

• 2026 Medicare rate: $124.74 (first hour); 96131 for each additional hour
• Who can bill: Physician or QHP only (cannot be delegated)
• Minimum time: 31 minutes total time
• What it covers: Interpretation, clinical decision making, treatment planning, report, feedback

This is the highest-value code in the family because it captures the irreplaceable clinical judgment of a qualified professional.

How the Codes Work Together

The three stages can be billed independently and do not need to occur on the same day:

Example workflow:

• Visit 1: Screening results indicate further testing is needed. Administer comprehensive tests under provider supervision → bill 96138 (technician administration, 30 min)
• Visit 1 or follow-up visit: Provider reviews results, integrates with patient history, creates treatment plan, discusses findings with patient → bill 96130 (evaluation, 1 hour)

Same-day workflow:

• Patient completes screening (96127, up to 3 units)
• Provider administers comprehensive follow-up tests (96136, 30 min)
• Provider evaluates results and provides feedback (96130, 1 hour)

The screening code (96127) and the testing codes (96136/96138 + 96130) cannot be billed on the same date of service. Choose one pathway per encounter.

2026 Reimbursement Summary

96127 — Brief screening Rate: $4.97/unit (max 3) · Time: No time requirement

96136 — Test administration (provider) Rate: $43.94 · Time: First 30 min

96137 — Test administration, provider (add-on) Rate: Check fee schedule · Time: Each additional 30 min

96138 — Test administration (technician) Rate: $37.73 · Time: First 30 min

96139 — Test administration, technician (add-on) Rate: Check fee schedule · Time: Each additional 30 min

96146 — Single instrument, automated computer administration Rate: Varies · Time: No time requirement

96130 — Evaluation (provider) Rate: $124.74 · Time: First hour

96131 — Evaluation, provider (add-on) Rate: Check fee schedule · Time: Each additional hour

Key CMS Policy Notes

July 2020: Brief Screening Test Limitation

CMS guidelines clarified that testing comprised solely of brief symptom inventories or screening tests (e.g., only a PHQ-9 and GAD-7) does not qualify as comprehensive psychological testing under 96136 or 96138. These should be billed using 96127 or 96146 instead. The tests must be standardized instruments that constitute comprehensive psychological or neuropsychological testing to use the administration codes.

January 2026: Telemedicine Extension

CMS confirmed continued telemedicine approval for 96130, 96136, and 96138 through December 31, 2026, enabling remote testing and evaluation workflows.

Common Billing Mistakes

1. Using 96136 when a technician administers tests — Use 96138 instead; document who performed the work
2. Billing 96127 and 96138 on the same day — These code families cannot be combined on the same date of service
3. Billing 96136/96138 for a single PHQ-9 — Brief screeners alone do not qualify; use 96127
4. Duplicating ICD-10 codes between E&M and testing — Use distinct condition codes for each service or the payer may bundle and deny
5. Missing time documentation — All time-based codes require documented total time; claims without time records are routinely denied

How Connected Mind Supports the Full Testing Workflow

Connected Mind® with Fast Check® screens, tests, and generates detailed clinical reports across up to six mental health conditions, supporting practices through every stage of the billing workflow.

• See how Connected Mind works
• View pricing for your practice
• Request a demo

Official CMS Resources

• Medicare Billing and Coding Article for Psychological Testing
• CMS Telehealth Services List
• Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Lookup
• NCCI Medicare Coding Policies

Related Billing Resources

• CPT 96127 FAQ — Brief emotional/behavioral assessment
• CPT 96130 FAQ — Psychological testing evaluation services
• CPT 96136 FAQ — Test administration by a provider
• CPT 96138 FAQ — Test administration by a technician
• Mental Health Parity Act — Your rights when payers deny claims

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between CPT 96136 and 96138?

Both codes cover test administration and scoring for the first 30 minutes. CPT 96136 is for administration by a physician or qualified healthcare professional. CPT 96138 is for administration by a technician under provider supervision. 96136 pays more ($43.94 vs. $37.73 Medicare) because the provider performs the work directly.

What is CPT 96130 used for?

CPT 96130 covers psychological testing evaluation services by a physician or qualified healthcare professional for the first hour, including integration of patient data, interpretation of test results, clinical decision making, treatment planning, report writing, and interactive feedback to the patient or caregiver.

What is CPT 96146?

CPT 96146 covers psychological or neuropsychological test administration with a SINGLE automated instrument via electronic platform, with automated result only. It is used when a computer administers and scores a SINGLE test without provider or technician involvement in the administration.

Can I bill 96136 or 96138 for administering only a PHQ-9 and GAD-7?

No. As of July 2020, CMS guidelines no longer allow testing comprised solely of brief symptom inventories or screening tests to qualify as comprehensive psychological testing. The tests must be standardized instruments. Administering only a PHQ-9 and GAD-7 should be billed using CPT 96127 or 96146, not 96136 or 96138.

Do 96130 and 96136 or 96138 need to be billed on the same day?

No. Test administration (96136 or 96138) and test evaluation (96130) may be performed and billed on separate days. A technician can administer tests on Day 1 and the provider can evaluate results on Day 2.

Can these psychological testing codes be billed with telemedicine?

Yes. As of January 2026, CMS has approved 96130, 96136, and 96138 for use with telemedicine through December 31, 2026.

What is the three-stage billing workflow for psychological testing?

Stage 1 is screening with CPT 96127 (brief behavioral assessment). Stage 2 is test administration with CPT 96136 (by provider) or 96138 (by technician). Stage 3 is evaluation with CPT 96130 (interpretation, treatment planning, and feedback). Each stage can be billed separately.

How are psychological testing CPT codes structured?

CMS organizes psychological testing into three stages: Stage 1 is screening (96127), Stage 2 is test administration by a provider (96136) or technician (96138), and Stage 3 is evaluation (96130). Each stage is independently billable, and test administration and evaluation do not need to occur on the same day.

What are the 2026 Medicare reimbursement rates for psychological testing codes?

As of January 2026, the Medicare national averages are: 96127 at $4.97 per unit, 96136 at $43.94 per 30 minutes, 96138 at $37.73 per 30 minutes, and 96130 at $124.74 per hour.

What CPT codes replaced 96103 for psychological testing?

In 2019, CMS retired CPT 96103 and 96101 and replaced them with CPT 96136 and 96137 (test administration by a provider), CPT 96138 and 96139 (test administration by a technician), CPT 96146 (automated computer administration), and CPT 96130 and 96131 (test evaluation services).