Coding Ahead
CasePilot
Medical Coding Assistant
Case2Code
Search and Code Lookup Tool
CareerCenter
Medical Coding Job Board
Log in Register free account

Need help choosing the right code?

Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.

Try CasePilot
Code deleted, see 97153, 97154, 97155, 97156, 97157, 97158, 0373T

Official Description

Adaptive behavior treatment with protocol modification administered by physician or other qualified health care professional with one patient; first 30 minutes of patient face-toface time

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Adaptive behavior treatment with protocol modification is a therapeutic intervention designed to address and improve specific behavioral issues in patients, particularly those with developmental or behavioral disorders. This treatment is conducted by a physician or other qualified health care professional, such as a behavioral analyst or licensed psychologist, who is trained to implement and modify treatment protocols based on individual patient needs. The primary objective of this therapy is to interrupt maladaptive or destructive behaviors and replace them with more appropriate responses, thereby enhancing the patient's adaptive skills. These skills may include social interactions, communication abilities, and other essential life skills that are often impaired in individuals facing behavioral challenges. During the treatment session, the clinician observes the patient directly and utilizes feedback from trained technicians to assess the effectiveness of the current treatment protocol. Based on these observations, the clinician makes necessary modifications to the treatment plan, implements these changes during the session, and instructs the caregiver or guardian on how to apply the new strategies outside of the clinical setting. Additionally, the clinician prepares a comprehensive report detailing the modifications made and the patient's progress. The CPT® Code 0368T is specifically used to report the first 30 minutes of face-to-face time spent with a single patient during this adaptive behavior treatment, while subsequent 30-minute increments are reported using CPT® Code 0369T.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Adaptive behavior treatment with protocol modification is indicated for patients exhibiting maladaptive behaviors or deficiencies in adaptive skills. The following conditions may warrant this type of intervention:

  • Behavioral Disorders Patients with behavioral disorders that result in destructive or maladaptive behaviors requiring intervention.
  • Developmental Delays Individuals with developmental delays who need support in improving their social and communication skills.
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who may benefit from structured behavioral interventions to enhance adaptive functioning.
  • Intellectual Disabilities Individuals with intellectual disabilities that impact their ability to engage in appropriate social interactions.

2. Procedure

The procedure for adaptive behavior treatment with protocol modification involves several key steps that ensure the effective implementation of the treatment plan:

  • Step 1: Initial Assessment The clinician begins by conducting a thorough assessment of the patient’s current behaviors and adaptive skills. This assessment may include direct observation and discussions with caregivers to identify specific maladaptive behaviors that need to be addressed.
  • Step 2: Protocol Review After the initial assessment, the clinician reviews the existing treatment protocol, which outlines the strategies and techniques previously employed to address the identified issues. This review is crucial for determining the effectiveness of the current approach.
  • Step 3: Modifications Based on the assessment and protocol review, the clinician makes necessary modifications to the treatment protocol. These changes are tailored to the individual needs of the patient and may involve introducing new techniques or adjusting existing strategies.
  • Step 4: Implementation The clinician then implements the modified treatment protocol during the face-to-face session with the patient. This hands-on approach allows the clinician to observe the patient’s responses to the changes in real-time.
  • Step 5: Caregiver Instruction Following the implementation, the clinician instructs the caregiver or guardian on how to apply the new modifications in the patient’s daily life. This step is essential for ensuring consistency and reinforcement of the adaptive behaviors outside of the clinical setting.
  • Step 6: Documentation Finally, the clinician prepares a detailed report documenting the modifications made to the treatment protocol, the patient’s progress, and any recommendations for future sessions. This documentation is vital for ongoing treatment planning and communication with other healthcare providers.

3. Post-Procedure

After the adaptive behavior treatment session, the clinician may recommend follow-up sessions to monitor the patient’s progress and make further adjustments to the treatment protocol as needed. It is important for caregivers to consistently apply the strategies learned during the session to reinforce the adaptive behaviors in various settings. The expected recovery and improvement timeline will vary based on the individual patient’s needs and the complexity of the behaviors being addressed. Regular communication between the clinician and caregivers is encouraged to ensure that the treatment remains effective and responsive to the patient’s evolving needs.

Short Descr BEHAVIOR TREATMENT MODIFIED
Medium Descr BEHAVIOR TX WITH MODIFICATION FIRST 30 MIN
Long Descr Adaptive behavior treatment with protocol modification administered by physician or other qualified health care professional with one patient; first 30 minutes of patient face-toface time
Status Code Carriers Price the Code
Global Days YYY - Carrier Determines Whether Global Concept Applies
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 9 - Not Applicable
Multiple Procedures (51) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Co-Surgeons (62) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Team Surgery (66) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) M5B - Specialist - psychiatry
MUE Not applicable/unspecified.
Date
Action
Notes
2019-01-01 Deleted Code deleted, see 97153, 97154, 97155, 97156, 97157, 97158, 0373T
2015-01-01 Added Added
2014-07-01 Added Added
Code
Description
Code
Description
CasePilot

Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.

Ask about:
CPT Codes Guidelines Modifiers Crosswalks NCCI Edits Compliance Medicare Coverage
Example: "What is CPT code 99213?" or "Guidelines for E/M services"