Screening for other specified mental disorders and developmental handicaps

This code signifies an encounter for the purpose of screening for mental health conditions or developmental delays that are not otherwise specified. It is used when a patient presents for a general check for potential psychiatric disorders, cognitive impairments, or developmental milestones that fall outside of routine, age-specific screenings.

This code is appropriate for encounters where a patient is undergoing a screening for a suspected, but not yet diagnosed, mental disorder or developmental handicap. This could include situations where a primary care physician performs a broad screening due to general concerns, or when a patient requests a general mental health check-up without specific symptoms.

• This is a screening code, not a diagnostic code. It should be used when no definitive diagnosis has been made.
• Always sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when the reason for the encounter is solely screening.
• Avoid using this code if a more specific screening code (e.g., for depression, autism) is available and applicable.