Mental Health Billing Codes (CPT), Explained
Mental health billing runs on a small set of CPT codes, but they carry strict time thresholds and add-on rules that decide whether a session is paid in full. Here are the mental health billing codes you use most, and how to code them correctly.
Psychotherapy codes (by time)
Individual psychotherapy is coded by the time spent face to face, using the closest threshold.
| CPT code | Service | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 90832 | Psychotherapy | 30 minutes (16 to 37 min) |
| 90834 | Psychotherapy | 45 minutes (38 to 52 min) |
| 90837 | Psychotherapy | 60 minutes (53 min and up) |
Evaluations, family, and group
| CPT code | Service |
|---|---|
| 90791 | Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation (no medical services) |
| 90792 | Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation with medical services |
| 90846 | Family psychotherapy without the patient present |
| 90847 | Family psychotherapy with the patient present |
| 90853 | Group psychotherapy |
Add-on and crisis codes
| CPT code | Service |
|---|---|
| 90785 | Interactive complexity (add-on to an eval or psychotherapy) |
| 90833 / 90836 / 90838 | Psychotherapy add-on billed with an E/M visit (30 / 45 / 60 min) |
| 90839 / 90840 | Psychotherapy for crisis (first 60 min / each additional 30 min) |
Testing and E/M
Psychological and neuropsychological testing use the 96130 to 96139 series (evaluation plus administration), and 96146 for automated testing. Psychiatrists who manage medication bill office E/M codes (99202 to 99215), and can add a psychotherapy add-on (90833/90836/90838) when both services are provided and documented.
The rules that get sessions denied
- Time must match the code. A 90837 (60 min) needs documented time in its range. Billing 90837 for a 40-minute session is a downcode risk or a denial.
- Add-ons need their base code. 90785 and the 908xx psychotherapy add-ons cannot stand alone; they attach to an eval or an E/M.
- Authorization and session limits. Many plans cap visits or require prior authorization, a leading cause of mental health denials.
- Telehealth modifiers. Behavioral health leans heavily on telehealth, so the correct place-of-service and modifier must match each payer’s current policy.
We handle all of this on our mental health and behavioral health billing page. If sessions are getting denied or downcoded, a free revenue analysis will find the pattern.
FAQs
What CPT code is used for a 60-minute therapy session?
90837. It is individual psychotherapy for 60 minutes, used when the documented face-to-face time is 53 minutes or more.
What is the difference between 90834 and 90837?
90834 is a 45-minute psychotherapy session (38 to 52 minutes) and 90837 is a 60-minute session (53 minutes and up). The correct code depends on the documented face-to-face time.
What is CPT code 90791?
90791 is a psychiatric diagnostic evaluation without medical services, typically the intake assessment. 90792 is the same evaluation when medical services are included, used by prescribers.
Can you bill an E/M visit and psychotherapy together?
Yes. A prescriber can bill an office E/M code (99202 to 99215) plus a psychotherapy add-on (90833, 90836, or 90838) when both services are provided and separately documented in the same visit.