60-Minute Psychotherapy Sessions
Current Procedural Terminologies (CPTs) codes are identifiers issued by the American Medical Association (AMA) and are used to bill and report medical services and procedures. These codes are universal across the U.S. so that billing and insurance reimbursements are accurately calculated. This enables healthcare providers, insurers, and insurance payers to all be on the same page when it comes to services provided.
CPT Code 90837 Explained:
CPT Code 90837 is a frequently used code by mental health clinicians for reporting 60-minute psychotherapy sessions with a client. At least 53 minutes of session time must be spent directly with the client for this code to apply – note that this time frame does not include administrative tasks. The code is commonly used for "talk therapy" sessions among licensed mental health providers such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and counselors. Be on guard against audits: Code 90837 is often audited, so ensure you have proper documentation of each session and a good understanding of the code requirements before using it.
Key information:
Proper documentation: Ensure you accompany this code with proper notes indicating details of each respective session. These notes should include topics being discussed, client’s mental status, start/stop times and other details. Make sure you follow documentation guidelines to avoid any billing issues.
Time Requirement: To qualify for this code, the session must consist of at least 53 minutes of direct psychotherapy with the client. Anything less than 53 minutes with the client would not qualify for this code.
Audit Risk: Code 90837 is often audited because insurers want to confirm that the session falls within the parameters of the code and there’s no overcharging. Be prepared by keeping accurate and up-to-date documentation when going through the billing process.
Telehealth Modifier (90837-95):For telehealth sessions that fit the conditions of this code, add the telehealth modifier – 95. In this case the full code would be 90837-95.
Psychotherapy: The Mayo Clinic defines Psychotherapy as “an approach for treating mental health issues by talking with a psychologist, psychiatrist or another mental health provider." Make sure your treatment follows this definition when using Code 90837 to avoid any issues.
Additional Resources:
The Top 18+ CPT Codes Used by Mental Health Professionals
CPT® overview and code approval
Psychotherapy Codes for Psychologists
90837 CPT Code - Description, Time Range, When & How to Use It