Top-rated Substance Abuse Disorder Billing Services in Nashville, Tennessee

 

Top-rated Substance Abuse Disorder Billing Services in Nashville, Tennessee

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 46 million people aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder. This includes alcohol use disorder and misuse of other substances such as cocaine, cannabis, and prescription medications. The opioid epidemic continues to be a major contributor to overdose deaths, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl involved in a significant percentage of cases.

As SUD continues to impact millions across the United States, the need for accurate and efficient Substance Abuse Disorder Billing Services in Nashville, Tennessee has become increasingly critical. With a growing demand for SUD treatment services, including counseling, behavioral therapies, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and telehealth sessions, healthcare providers are under pressure to seek expert advice. 

Outsourced SUD billing services involve the full cycle of claims management. It ranges from patient eligibility verification and coding to claim submission, denial management, and payment posting. Outsourced billing teams are well-versed in ICD-10-CM diagnostic codes for substance use disorders and CPT/HCPCS codes used to bill for SUD treatment services in Nashville, Tennessee.

Make every claim count!
Talk to our SUD billing team today in Nashville, Tennessee!

 

Billing and Coding Guidelines for Substance Use Disorder 

Optimized Billing. Consistent Revenue. Better SUD Outcomes in Nashville, Tennessee

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 Nashville, Tennessee.

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 Nashville, Tennessee.

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 Nashville, Tennessee.

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 Nashville, Tennessee.

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 Nashville, Tennessee.

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 Nashville, Tennessee.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Codes

CMS recognizes that social and environmental factors influence recovery outcomes. The healthcare providers in Nashville, Tennessee 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 Nashville, Tennessee 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 Nashville, Tennessee. 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 Tennessee
• 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 Nashville, Tennessee.

Authorization Gaps

SUD recovery doesn't follow a fixed path in Nashville, Tennessee. 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 Nashville, Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee requires new authorizations and clinical justification. Billing can be delayed or denied without seamless coordination between clinical and billing teams.

Ready to eliminate claim backlogs in Nashville, Tennessee? 

Speak with our experienced SUD Billing Company Today!

Key Statistics

Denial Rate Without Expert Billing – 15–20%

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

SUD Services Delivered via Telehealth in Nashville, Tennessee – 45%

Claim Delay Due to Authorization Errors – 14–21 Days

 

Why Substance Abuse Treatment Providers in Nashville, Tennessee Trust 24/7 Medical Billing Services 

Turn your Treatment into Timely Payments with the Best Outsourcing SUD Billing and Coding Company in Nashville, Tennessee!

Accurate Billing for Combined Services

Our billing specialists implement structured billing systems that properly account for multiple treatments like therapy, MAT, and counseling in Nashville, Tennessee. We ensure codes and modifiers are applied accurately to reduce claim rejections and maintain compliance with payer regulations.

Payer Education and Contract Support

Our team supports providers in educating payers in Tennessee about the medical complexity of SUD through custom reports and data-driven presentations. We also assist in negotiating better contract terms that reflect the true value of long-term addiction treatment.

Automated Utilization Review Management

24/7 Medical Billing Services integrates EHR systems with payer portals for automated claims processing. Our team tracks deadlines, compiles progress updates, and ensures clinical documentation is ready for each phase of the treatment cycle.

Telehealth-Compliant Billing Setup

Our professionals configure telehealth billing systems to meet payer and Tennessee-specific rules, including the correct use of modifiers and POS codes. We also guide providers in meeting HIPAA and documentation requirements for virtual SUD treatment services.

Ready to eliminate claim backlogs in Nashville, Tennessee?

Contact our Experts Today!

Maximize Reimbursements for Critical Behavioral Health Treatments!

 

Why Choose 24/7 Medical Billing Services for SUD Billing in Nashville, Tennessee?

24/7 Medical Billing Services helps SUD providers in Nashville, Tennessee 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 Nashville, Tennessee 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 Nashville, Tennessee 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 Nashville, Tennessee, 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 Nashville, Tennessee, 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 Nashville, Tennessee, 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 Nashville, Tennessee, 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 Nashville, Tennessee

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.

Claim Your Free SUD Revenue Review Today

 

FAQs

What is the billing code for crisis intervention in SUD?

Use H2011 or 90839, depending on the provider and setting.

Do SUD services require a DSM-5 diagnosis in Nashville, Tennessee?

Most payers require DSM-5 alignment with ICD-10 coding.

Can I bill SUD services without a treatment plan?

A signed and updated treatment plan is typically required for billing approval.

What is the impact of the No Surprises Act on SUD billing?

Out-of-network providers in Nashville, Tennessee must give good-faith estimates to uninsured/self-pay patients.

How do I handle pre-authorization delays for SUD treatment in Nashville, Tennessee?

Start care if urgent and document it, and submit retroactive auth if the payer allows.