99409 Audit/dast over 30 minutes
Also known as: substance abuse screening extended, AUDIT/DAST intensive, alcohol screening intensive
Alcohol and substance abuse screening and brief intervention services (not including illicit drugs); greater than 30 minutes of physician or qualified health professional time devoted to screening, intervention, and referral to treatment services.
In Plain Language
Extended substance abuse evaluation; Comprehensive drug and alcohol assessment
Clinical Context
Used for substance abuse and alcohol screening and intervention services greater than 30 minutes, providing detailed assessment and comprehensive treatment planning and referrals.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.30 |
| Total RVU | 1.30 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
E&M codes require documentation of medical decision-making (MDM) complexity or total time spent on the encounter. For 2026, time-based coding includes all physician time on the date of the encounter.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 1.30, this code ranks in the 38th percentile among Evaluation & Management codes — 1.2x below the median (1.54). The highest wRVU in this category is 18.46.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 99409?
CPT 99409 (Audit/dast over 30 minutes) is a Evaluation & Management code. Alcohol and substance abuse screening and brief intervention services (not including illicit drugs); greater than 30 minutes of physician or qualified health professional time devoted to screening, intervention, and referral to treatment services.
Who uses CPT code 99409?
CPT 99409 is used by Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry. Used for substance abuse and alcohol screening and intervention services greater than 30 minutes, providing detailed assessment and comprehensive treatment planning and referrals.
When is CPT 99409 used?
Used for substance abuse and alcohol screening and intervention services greater than 30 minutes, providing detailed assessment and comprehensive treatment planning and referrals.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.