Best Substance Abuse Disorder Billing Services in Huntington Beach, California

Best Substance Abuse Disorder Billing Services in Huntington Beach, California

Millions of Americans are affected by SUDs, including alcohol and drug use disorders. These disorders can cause major health problems, damage personal relationships, lead to legal trouble, and disrupt daily life. Fortunately! Effective treatment options like counseling, behavioral therapies, and medication can support recovery and help individuals regain healthier, more stable lives.

To support recovery and improve access to care in Huntington Beach, California, and beyond, healthcare providers must be reimbursed for the services they deliver. This underlines the importance of accurate and efficient Substance Abuse Disorder Billing Services in Huntington Beach, California. Better billing leads to better access to care, better outcomes, and a stronger healthcare system for everyone affected by substance abuse. 

SUD billing is not only about submitting claims, but it involves the correct use of CPT and ICD-10 coding, compliance with 42 CFR Part 2 rules and HIPAA to protect patient privacy, and proper documentation. With the rise of telehealth in Huntington Beach, it is also crucial for SUD providers to know that the same CPT codes are used as in-person visits. 

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Billing and Coding Guidelines for Substance Use Disorder 

Optimized Billing. Consistent Revenue. Better SUD Outcomes in Huntington Beach, California

Coding Systems and Diagnosis Representation

ICD-10-CM codes are critical in SUD billing as they define both the type of substance involved and the disorder’s clinical status, such as intoxication, withdrawal, or sustained remission. Each category allows further classification based on severity and associated symptoms:

• F10: Alcohol-related disorders (e.g., alcohol dependence with withdrawal)
• F11: Opioid-related disorders (e.g., opioid use disorder with intoxication)
• F12: Cannabis-related disorders (e.g., cannabis-induced psychosis)
• F13: Sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic-related disorders
• F14: Cocaine-related disorders
• F15: Disorders related to other stimulants (e.g., methamphetamine)
• F16: Hallucinogen-related disorders
• F17: Nicotine dependence (e.g., tobacco use disorder)
• F18: Inhalant-related disorders
• F19: Polysubstance use or unspecified substance disorders

Accurate diagnosis selection helps reduce claim denials and ensures precise documentation for providers operating in Huntington Beach, California.

CPT Code Selection 

CPT codes are used by practitioners to document the specific behavioral health services provided during an appointment. The codes commonly used include:

• 90791, 90792: Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation - used for initial mental health assessments
• 90832, 90834, 90837: Psychotherapy sessions - based on time: 30, 45, or 60 minutes
• 90846, 90847: Family therapy sessions - without or with the patient present, respectively
• 90853: Group therapy sessions - used for therapeutic sessions involving multiple patients
• 90863: Combined psychotherapy and medication management
• 99408, 99409: Screening and brief interventions - used for moderate to high-risk substance use
• G0396, G0397: Behavioral counselling - short (15–30 min) and extended (30+ min) sessions for alcohol or substance use

Bundled Codes for Office-Based SUD Treatment

CMS provides bundled G-codes for structured outpatient care involving multiple services for alcohol and opioid use disorders:

• G2086: First-month care with at least 70 minutes of services
• G2087: Ongoing monthly care with 60+ minutes of services
• G2088: Each additional 30 minutes of service beyond G2086/G2087

These codes allow for integrated reporting of counseling, care coordination, and treatment planning typically used by providers in Huntington Beach, California.

Preventive Screening and Brief Intervention

Early screening and brief interventions are essential in identifying individuals at risk for substance misuse. CMS supports reimbursement for:

• G0442: Annual screening for alcohol misuse (15 minutes)
• G0443: Face-to-face brief behavioral counseling (15 minutes)
• G0396: Short counseling sessions lasting 15–30 minutes
• G0397: Longer counseling sessions exceeding 30 minutes

These services require thorough documentation of time spent and risk assessment findings, often utilized in primary care or integrated care settings across Huntington Beach, California.

Safety Planning and Follow-Up Services

To address risks related to overdose or mental health crises, Medicare allows providers to bill for:

• G0560: Development of a safety plan for patients at risk of suicide or SUD-related crises
• G0544: Follow-up contact (in person or remote) after an overdose or critical incident

These services are performed by licensed professionals and must be supported by clear clinical documentation in Huntington Beach, California.

Controlled Substance Monitoring & Lab Services

Managing SUD, especially in MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment), requires consistent monitoring of substance use. The relevant codes include:

• CPT 80305–80307: Presumptive drug testing - screening for drug classes using various lab technologies

Limited to 12 tests per year per patient under Medicare unless additional testing is medically necessary

• HCPCS G0480–G0483: Definitive drug testing - used for detailed identification of multiple substances

The level (G0480–G0483) varies based on the number of substances being tested

These codes are crucial for SUD treatment plans in clinics and opioid programs in Huntington Beach, California.

Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Billing 

CMS requires the use of specific G-codes to bill for OTP services, which combine medication, therapy, and support services:

• G2067–G2083: Weekly bundled codes for methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone administration with counseling
• G2076: Initial intake and assessment session - also covers audio-only visits if video is unavailable

Clinics must document medication dosage, take-home doses, and weekly therapy sessions as part of the treatment plan in Huntington Beach, California.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Codes

CMS recognizes that social and environmental factors influence recovery outcomes. The healthcare providers in Huntington Beach, California who bill Evaluation and Management (E/M) services or are licensed psychologists can bill for:

• Community Health Integration (CHI)
• Principal Illness Navigation (PIN)

These codes help support patients needing assistance with housing, food, transportation, etc. However, Mental Health Counselors (MHCs) and Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) in Huntington Beach, California currently cannot bill for these services under CMS rules.

Expanded CMS Guidelines

As of January 1, 2024, CMS permits MHCs and MFTs to enroll in Medicare and provide SUD-related services in Huntington Beach, California. To qualify, these professionals must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a master's or doctoral degree in behavioral health
• Possess a valid license from the California
• Complete a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience

These providers are reimbursed at 80% of 75% of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, which is lower than other non-physician rates but still a significant step toward expanding access to care.

Is SUD Billing Becoming a Hidden Liability for Your Facility?

SUD claim denials and coding errors are costing providers time and patients' access to care in Huntington Beach, California.

Authorization Gaps

SUD recovery doesn't follow a fixed path in Huntington Beach, California. As treatment plans change quickly, delays in securing new authorizations often result in claim denials. These interruptions can affect both patient care and provider reimbursement, especially when payer approvals lag behind clinical decisions.

ICD-10 Coding Overload

SUD billing in Huntington Beach, California involves a wide range of ICD-10 codes specific to behavioral health. Without proper coding knowledge, errors become common, increasing the risk of denials. Providers may lose substantial revenue when codes don’t align with payer requirements or documentation.

Unclear Medical Necessity for Readmissions

Readmissions are common in SUD treatment due to relapse or ongoing recovery needs, but California payers often question their medical necessity. Without clearly documented justification, these claims are frequently denied, leading to revenue loss and interrupted care continuity.

Level of Care Transition Complexities

Patients often move through various levels of care, such as intensive outpatient, residential, and outpatient. Each shift in California requires new authorizations and clinical justification. Billing can be delayed or denied without seamless coordination between clinical and billing teams.

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Key Statistics

Denial Rate Without Expert Billing – 15–20%

Revenue Loss from In-House Billing – Up to 30%

SUD Services Delivered via Telehealth in Huntington Beach, California – 45%

Claim Delay Due to Authorization Errors – 14–21 Days

Why Substance Abuse Treatment Providers in Huntington Beach, California Trust 24/7 Medical Billing Services 

Transform your Denials into Reimbursements with the Best Outsourcing SUD Billing and Coding Company in Huntington Beach, California!

Compliant Group Therapy Billing

Our billing experts guide providers in Huntington Beach, California on payer-specific documentation standards for group therapy, including required details like session type, group size, and duration. This ensures clinical notes align with billing codes to prevent denials and support audit-ready submissions.

Correct Coding for All Forms

24/7 Medical Billing Services supports providers in Huntington Beach, California by applying the correct HCPCS and CPT codes for MAT services. This helps in accurate coding of oral vs. injectable medications and includes required counseling services to avoid denials and maximize reimbursement.

Accurate Handling of Billed Services

Our billing professionals educate providers in Huntington Beach, California on which SUD services should be bundled under payer contracts. We help prevent compliance errors by correctly grouping assessments, labs, and therapy based on coverage rules and avoid unintentional overbilling.

Payer-Compliant Drug Testing Billing

We help SUD providers in California navigate payer-specific policies for drug screening, including frequency limitations and coding guidelines. Our team ensures clinical justification is clearly documented for each test billed to minimize denials due to overuse or insufficient medical necessity.

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Faster Reimbursements for Critical Behavioral Health Treatments!

Why Choose 24/7 Medical Billing Services for SUD Billing in Huntington Beach, California?

24/7 Medical Billing Services helps SUD providers in Huntington Beach, California scale operations without increasing internal workload. Our agile billing model adapts to seasonal fluctuations, census changes, and new service lines. We offer full support for documentation compliance, payer-specific guidelines, and audit preparedness to help you remain fully compliant at every stage. Outsource SUD Billing Services Provider in Huntington Beach, California to stay audit-ready, revenue-strong, and focused on patient recovery, not paperwork.

Built-In Scalability

Our flexible team adjusts to your growth and helps you manage new locations, programs, or patient surges without delays. As a result, providers in Huntington Beach, California can avoid staffing gaps, onboarding delays, and administrative burdens by leveraging our flexible, always-ready billing capacity.

AR Management on Autopilot

As a top medical billing and coding company in Huntington Beach, California, we follow up on aging claims within 5 business days and resolve denials efficiently. This proactive approach ensures consistent cash flow and supports financial stability for SUD centers in Huntington Beach, California, even during high-volume or seasonal fluctuations in service demand.

Audit-Ready Compliance 

Our billing team maintains airtight documentation, payer policy updates, and regulatory alignment across all claims. This reduces audit risks for SUD practices in Huntington Beach, California, and ensures compliance, security, and operational soundness, even during random payer reviews or government inspections.

Multi-Channel Support 

Our experts offer patient and provider support across phone, email, portal, and text, ensuring fast issue resolution. In Huntington Beach, California, your staff and patients benefit from responsive, multi-lingual help that enhances satisfaction and minimizes billing-related disruptions to care delivery.

Keep Patient Recovery Moving with Reliable Billing in Huntington Beach, California

Our SUD billing and coding support uninterrupted treatment by minimizing billing delays, reducing denials, and closing documentation gaps. 24/7 Medical Billing Services helps preserve patient access and improve overall care delivery from initial intake to long-term aftercare.

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FAQs

Can I bill group therapy and individual therapy on the same day in Huntington Beach, California?

If documentation supports both services separately and payers in California allow it.

What are the ICD-10 codes for alcohol and drug dependency in Huntington Beach, California?

Codes range from F10 (alcohol) to F19 (multiple drug use), depending on the diagnosis specifics.

What is the difference between behavioral health billing and SUD billing?

SUD billing involves specialized codes, compliance laws, and payer policies unique to substance abuse treatment.

Can I bill for intake and assessment separately in Huntington Beach, California?

Codes like H0001 or 90791 are often used for separately billable SUD assessments.

What is the timely filing limit for SUD claims in Huntington Beach, California?

Most insurers in California require claims to be submitted within 90–180 days from the date of service.