DSM Code For Insurance Purposes: A Case Study

The DSM code is used for a variety of different reasons. One reason it is used is so that social workers can diagnose the patient and another reason it is used is so that they can come with a treatment plan. According to Schwitzer (2015), “Specifically the DSM-5 is a classification system that divides client presentations into mental disorders based on sets of criteria that are made up of observable features” (pg. 16). Social workers use the DSM to figure out a treatment plan oppose to psychiatrist and psychology who would use the DSM to focus on the biological aspects. I think that all profession would use the DSM code for insurance purposes. I don’t think that only psychiatrist and psychologist use the DSM for billing purposes. According to the American Psychiatric Association (2015), “Associated with each diagnostic label is a diagnostic code, which is typically used by institutions and agencies for data collection and billing purposes.” …show more content…
Psychologist, counselors and psychiatrist use the DSM to see how much funding the client will receive. An example of this would be if a patient had anxiety DSM-V 313.23. Social workers would use this and probably recommend cognitive therapy. If a psychiatrist saw the DSM-V 313.23 they would use this to see how much the client can received for funding before they treated the client or see how the DSM- relates to the client biological aspect. All mental health profession are to assist the client however social workers are not as focus on funding as much as other