Overview
HCPCS Code G0444 is used to report a 15-minute annual depression screening for adult patients, typically performed in primary care or preventive care settings. This Medicare-covered service is designed to identify early signs of depression or other mood disorders, enabling timely intervention, referral, or treatment.
G0444 represents the screening service itself, including administration of validated tools such as the PHQ-2 or PHQ-9, and brief clinical follow-up during the visit. Further evaluation or management of a positive screen is billed separately.
Key Facts About G0444
- Service type: Preventive mental health screening
- Provider type: Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other qualified healthcare professionals
- Medical services included:
- Administration of a standardized depression screening tool
- Brief interpretation of results and patient counseling
- Documentation of findings in the medical record
- Patient population: Medicare beneficiaries, adults
- Time-based: 15 minutes
- Common clinical indications:
- Routine preventive care visits
- Monitoring patients with known risk factors for depression
- Early identification of depressive symptoms
- Supporting overall mental and behavioral health care
When to Use G0444
G0444 is appropriate when:
- An annual depression screening is performed on an eligible adult patient
- The visit lasts approximately 15 minutes
- The patient is Medicare-eligible and the service is part of preventive care
- Screening is performed using a validated tool and documented in the medical record
Examples:
- Administering the PHQ-9 during a wellness visit for a Medicare patient
- Annual depression screening in a patient with chronic medical conditions
- Identifying depressive symptoms in high-risk older adults
- Routine preventive behavioral health screening during an annual wellness exam
Documentation Requirements
To properly support G0444 billing, documentation should include:
- Patient identifiers and date of service
- Screening tool used (e.g., PHQ-2, PHQ-9)
- Duration of the screening and brief interpretation
- Counseling or follow-up provided based on results
- Clear indication that this is a preventive screening
Accurate documentation ensures compliance with Medicare preventive service requirements and supports continuity of care.
Reimbursement and Coding Considerations
- G0444 is covered 100% by Medicare when eligibility and frequency rules are met
- Screening is not subject to deductible or coinsurance
- Positive screens may trigger additional evaluation or management, billed separately
- Time-based reporting is critical for correct billing
- Always verify payer-specific rules for depression screening services
How OptiMantra Supports Behavioral Health Screening
OptiMantra’s integrated EMR and practice management platform streamlines administration, documentation, and billing for depression screening services like G0444.
With OptiMantra, providers can:
- Document screening results using structured templates for PHQ-2, PHQ-9, or other validated tools
- Track annual screening compliance for Medicare beneficiaries
- Generate audit-ready claims for preventive behavioral health services
- Integrate screening outcomes into the patient’s overall care plan
- Schedule follow-ups or referrals for patients with positive results
By centralizing documentation, billing, and longitudinal behavioral health tracking, OptiMantra helps practices deliver timely, compliant, and patient-centered depression screening services.
Try OptiMantra for free here!
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