Accurate billing is one of the most crucial parts when it comes to running a mental health practice successfully. Psychotherapy CPT codes make it easier for your therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and billing professionals to document services properly, comply with insurance requirements, and secure timely reimbursements. The slightest misuse or misreporting of these codes can result in claim denials, underpayment, or compliance risks.
That’s why RPM CCM Health supports mental health providers in navigating the complexities of psychotherapy billing—so they can focus on delivering high-quality care without compromising their financial health.
What Are Psychotherapy CPT Codes?
Psychotherapy CPT codes are standardized billing codes. The American Medical Association (AMA) maintains them. Mental health professionals particularly use these billing codes to explain psychotherapy services to patients during a session.
Psychotherapy CPT codes:
- Identifies the type of therapy performed, such as individual, family, or group.
- Specifies the duration of the session
- Provides necessary insurance reimbursement and compliance details.
These codes are used by:
- Therapists such as psychologists, counselors, and licensed clinical social workers.
- Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners
- Practice managers and billing teams
Using accurate mental health therapy billing codes is essential. Without them, providers risk delayed payments, claim denials, and potential compliance issues. In healthcare organizations, clinicians and billing staff rely on these codes to accurately reflect the services performed on a daily basis, whether it is an individual therapy session, a group session, or family counseling.
Common Psychotherapy CPT Codes List
Here is a simplified breakdown of the most commonly used psychotherapy CPT codes list in mental health billing:
Individual Psychotherapy Codes
- 90832 – Individual psychotherapy, 30 minutes
- 90834 – Individual psychotherapy, 45 minutes
- 90837 – Individual psychotherapy, 60 minutes
These individual psychotherapy codes are regarded as among the most frequently used in outpatient clinics, private practices, and telehealth services. The numbers inform you about the session’s length and whether the patient engaged in therapy when the provider began the session.
Family Psychotherapy CPT Codes
- 90846 – Family psychotherapy without the patient present
- 90847 – Family psychotherapy with the patient present
The family psychotherapy codes are specifically designed for therapeutic work that involves family dynamics, whether or not the particular patient is present. These are commonly used in marriage counseling, child and adolescent therapy, and family systems interventions.
Group Psychotherapy Code
- 90853 – Group psychotherapy
The group psychotherapy code is applicable when a provider conducts therapy sessions for multiple participants simultaneously. This is similar to support groups or structured therapy groups.
Add-On Codes
- 90785 – Interactive complexity (when applicable)
The add-on codes are added when there are extra complications during the therapy session. For instance, the provider works with children, patients who have communication barriers, or conducts sessions that include a third party, such as an interpreter, to facilitate smooth interaction.
When to Use Each Psychotherapy CPT Code?
Selecting the right CPT code largely depends on the session type, length of therapy, and requirements of the patient coming for the psychotherapy:
- Individual Therapy
Use 90834, 90832, or 90837, depending on the time duration, which is 30, 45, or 60 minutes, respectively.
- Family Therapy
Opt for 90847 if the patient is present and 90846 if not.
- Group Therapy
Use 90853 when multiple patients need treatment in a structured group setting.
- Interactive Complexity
In case of interactive complexity, such as emotional breakdowns, the use of play therapy or third-party involvement, add 90785.
Common Mistakes To Avoid:
- Refrain from using 90837 for the 60-minute session when the session lasts less than 53 minutes.
- Not documenting the rationale for individual vs. family codes.
- Ignoring add-on codes to apply in challenging cases.
Stick to using correct codes, as this decreases the risk of auditing while maximizing reimbursements for the provided services.
Mental Health Therapy Billing Best Practices
Mental health therapy billing demands more than just being aware of the codes. Here are some best practices that ensure the billing is compliant and done with complete efficiency:
- Accurate Documentation
When preparing the patient’s documentation, always record the session length, therapy type, and clinical rationale.
- Understand Insurance Requirements
You need to understand the insurance requirements, as some payers might limit coverage for longer sessions or require prior authorization.
- Avoid Common Claim Denials
Verify if the patient is eligible to take the particular psychotherapy session. Use correct modifiers for telehealth, and include supporting notes.
- Stay Updated
The AMA and related insurers annually update CPT codes and payer rules. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to stay updated, as that prevents expensive mistakes.
Furthermore, see the AMA CPT Codebook and the billing policies of your payer to learn more about compliance.
FAQs About Psychotherapy CPT Codes
Q1: What is the difference between 90834 and 90837?
90834 is for covering a 45-minute therapy session for an individual, while 90837 is for a full 60 minutes. The majority of insurers require documents to justify sessions that are longer than 45 minutes.
Q2: Can you bill psychotherapy and medication management together?
Absolutely! Providers can bill 90833, which is psychotherapy’s add-on code, together with Evaluation and Management codes, when you are performing psychotherapy and medication management in the same session.
Q3: Do psychotherapy CPT codes cover telehealth?
Yes, for telehealth, several psychotherapy CPT codes are approved, but some insurers might require a proper telehealth modifier or service code placement. Always confirm whether it’s a part of the payer’s policy or not.
Why Choose RPM CCM Health for Billing Support?
RPM CCM Health understands that navigating mental health billing can be a daunting process. Our team is an expert in psychotherapy billing support, guaranteeing providers that they will always receive accurate reimbursements, so you experience minimal claim denials.
Here’s how we help:
- Expertise In Mental Health Billing
We share expertise in mental health billing and work with psychiatrists, therapists, and behavioral health clinics across the nation.
- Compliance and Coding Accuracy
Our team remains up-to-date with the current CPT updates and payer policies to ensure claim submissions. And they are extremely accurate in terms of selecting the right codes.
- Maximized Reimbursements
We keep an eye on identifying missed opportunities, reducing denials, and helping providers get every dollar.
Whether you are practicing solo or represent a larger behavioral health organization, we offer customized billing solutions that are designed to keep your earning cycle smooth and in accordance with the rules.
Focus on Care — Let Us Handle the Billing Complexities
Don’t let coding mistakes or billing errors put your psychotherapy practice’s revenue at risk. Collaborate with experts who understand the innovative challenges revolving around the mental health environment.
Ensure your psychotherapy billing is accurate and compliant.
Contact RPM CCM Health today to streamline your coding, reduce claim denials, and improve reimbursements.
