CPT Codes for Psychiatric and Psychological Procedures
CPT Codes for Psychiatric and Psychological Procedures
The individual clinician is always responsible for ensuring they are using the most accurate and appropriate CPT billing code when billing for services provided, regardless of who does the actual billing on the clinician’s behalf. Please ensure you understand and bill for the correct CPT code for the services provided to your patient. Following service codes for the reporting of psychiatric and psychological service (effective from 01st Jan 2019).
| CPT Code | Footnote(s) | Description |
| 90791 | 1 | Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation |
| 90792 | 1,3 | Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation with medical services |
| 90832 | 2 | Psychotherapy, 30 minutes with a patient |
| 90833 | 2,3 | Psychotherapy, 30 minutes with a patient when performed with an evaluation and management service (List separately in addition to the code for primary procedure) |
| 90834 | 4 | Psychotherapy, 45 minutes with a patient |
| 90836 | 3,4 | Psychotherapy, 45 minutes with a patient when performed with an evaluation and management service (List separately in addition to the code for primary procedure) |
| 90837 | 6 | Psychotherapy, 60 minutes with a patient |
| 90838 | 3,6 | Psychotherapy, 60 minutes with a patient when performed with an evaluation and management service (List separately in addition to the code for primary procedure) |
| 90839 | 6 | Psychotherapy for crisis; first 60 minutes |
| 90840 | 2 | each additional 30 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 90846 | 4 | Family psychotherapy (without the patient present), 50 minutes |
| 90847 | 4 | Family psychotherapy (conjoint psychotherapy) (with patient present), 50 minutes |
| 90849 | 4 | Multiple-family group psychotherapy |
| 90853 | 4 | Group psychotherapy (other than of a multiple-family group) |
| 90870 | 1, 5 | Electroconvulsive therapy (includes necessary monitoring) |
| 96130 | 1 | Psychological testing evaluation services by a physician or other qualified health care professional, including integration of patient data, interpretation of standardized test results and clinical data, clinical decision making, treatment planning and report, and interactive feedback to the patient, family member(s) or caregiver(s), when performed; first hour |
| 96131 | 1 | Psychological testing evaluation services by a physician or other qualified health care professional, including integration of patient data, interpretation of standardized test results and clinical data, clinical decision making, treatment planning and report, and interactive feedback to the patient, family member(s) or caregiver(s), when performed; each additional hour (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 96132 | Neuropsychological testing evaluation services by a physician or other qualified health care professional, including integration of patient data, interpretation of standardized test results and clinical data, clinical decision making, treatment planning and report, and interactive feedback to the patient, family member(s) or caregiver(s), when performed; first hour | |
| 96133 | Neuropsychological testing evaluation services by a physician or other qualified health care professional, including integration of patient data, interpretation of standardized test results and clinical data, clinical decision making, treatment planning and report, and interactive feedback to the patient, family member(s) or caregiver(s), when performed; each additional hour (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | |
| 96136 | Psychological or neuropsychological test administration and scoring by physician or other qualified health care professional, two or more tests, any method; first 30 minutes | |
| 96137 | Psychological or neuropsychological test administration and scoring by physician or other qualified health care professional, two or more tests, any method; each additional 30 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | |
| 96138 | Psychological or neuropsychological test administration and scoring by a technician, two or more tests, any method; first 30 minutes | |
| 96139 | Psychological or neuropsychological test administration and scoring by a technician, two or more tests, any method; each additional 30 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | |
| 96146 | Psychological or neuropsychological test administration, with single automated, standardized instrument via an electronic platform, with the automated result only |
- Counts as one hour (visit) toward the patient’s maximum number of visits (hours), regardless of the amount of time expended on a single day.
- Counts as 1/2 hour toward the patient’s maximum number of visits (hours).
- This code may only be billed by a psychiatrist (M.D.) or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
- Counts as one hour toward the patient’s maximum number of visits (hours).
- This code may only be billed by a psychiatrist (M.D.).
- Counts as 1.5 hours toward the patient’s maximum number of visits (hours).
The Most Common CPT Codes Used by Therapist
There are over 8,000 CPT codes out there, however, the good news is only 24 of these codes are designated for psychotherapy. The even better news is that you, as a therapist, will likely only use about 8 of these regularly. The most common CPT codes used by the therapist are:
| CPT | Description |
| 90791 | Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation |
| 90792 | Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation with medical services |
| 90832 | Psychotherapy, 30 minutes (16-37 minutes) |
| 90834 | Psychotherapy, 45 minutes (38-52 minutes) |
| 90837 | Psychotherapy, 60 minutes (53 minutes and over) |
| 90846 | Family or couples psychotherapy, without the patient present |
| 90847 | Family or couples psychotherapy, with the patient present |
| 90853 | Group Psychotherapy (not family) |
| 90839 | Psychotherapy for a crisis, 60 minutes (30-74 minutes). |
As mentioned before, there are over 8,000 CPT codes out there, however, the good news is only 24 of these codes are designated for psychotherapy. The even better news is that you, as a therapist, will likely only use about 8 of these regularly. Still choosing the best-suited CPT code for the therapy could be a tricky task.
CPT © Copyright 2021 American Medical Association
E2E Medical Billing Services having more than 5 years of experience in medical billing for psychiatric and psychological services. Using the exact CPT code will ensure no denials, prompt payment, and ultimately smoother cash flow for your practice. To know more about our mental health/ behavioral health billing services, you can call us at 888-552-1290 or write to us at [email protected]