HP Modifier: Doctoral Level, and Ohio's Supervision Meaning
HP is a good example of why modifier descriptors are only half the answer. The federal meaning is doctoral level, and that is how Michigan uses it. Ohio uses the same two letters for something else entirely.
Short answer
HP is the HCPCS Level II modifier "Doctoral level." Michigan uses it for doctoral-level providers such as psychologists and BCBA-Ds. Ohio Medicaid uses HP as a procedure modifier meaning the service was rendered by a supervised trainee or assistant under the supervision of an MD, DO, psychologist, CNS, CNP, or PA, and requires it only where direct supervision is priced differently.
| Modifier | HCPCS descriptor | Type |
|---|---|---|
| HP | Doctoral level | Provider education level |
How Michigan uses HP
Michigan defines HP as a rendering provider whose highest educational attainment is a doctoral degree, a provider credential modifier that affects the rate. Its crosswalk maps doctoral-level behavioral health professionals and BCBA-Ds to HP. Psychologists can also appear with AH, the clinical psychologist modifier, depending on the code chart.
How Ohio uses HP
Ohio's manual lists HP and HT among its procedure modifiers for supervision pricing:
| Ohio modifier | Meaning in Ohio Medicaid |
|---|---|
| HP | Rendered by a supervised trainee or assistant under supervision of an MD/DO, psychologist, CNS, CNP, or PA |
| HT | Rendered by a supervised trainee or assistant under supervision of an LISW, LIMFT, LPCC, LICDC (SUD only), or licensed school psychologist |
Ohio requires HP and HT only when there are different rates for direct supervision.
A doctoral-level psychologist billing Ohio Medicaid does not add HP to show their own degree. That is the mistake to avoid when a team moves between states.
Why HP claims deny
- Generic meaning in Ohio. HP added to a psychologist's own Ohio claim, where HP means supervised trainee.
- Missing where required. Michigan or a plan requires an education modifier and HP is absent.
- HP and AH confusion. The payer expects the discipline modifier AH, not the education modifier, or both.
Related: AH, HT, all behavioral health HCPCS modifiers, and the code map in H codes in behavioral health.
Sources, read October 2026: MDHHS SFY 2027 Behavioral Health Code Charts and Provider Qualifications; Ohio Medicaid Behavioral Health Provider Manual, v1.28.1 (March 2026). Federal HCPCS descriptors are CMS public data. State manuals and plan contracts change; confirm the current edition before billing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HP modifier?
HP is the HCPCS Level II modifier "Doctoral level." It identifies a doctoral-level rendering provider.
What does HP mean in Ohio Medicaid?
In Ohio, HP is a procedure modifier for a service rendered by a supervised trainee or assistant under the supervision of an MD, DO, psychologist, CNS, CNP, or PA, required only where direct supervision is priced differently.
Should a psychologist use HP or AH?
It depends on the payer. Some code sets use HP for doctoral education, some use AH for the clinical psychologist discipline, and some accept or require either for specific codes. Check the code chart for your state and plan.
Same letters, different rules, handled.
See Stable apply each state's meaning of HP and HT before a claim goes out.
Book a Demo