As a mental health clinician, it’s important to understand the most common CPT codes used in your field. CPT codes are five-digit codes used by healthcare professionals to describe the services they provide to their patients. These codes help ensure accurate billing and reimbursement for services provided. In this blog post, we’ll provide a comprehensive list of the most common CPT codes used by mental health clinicians.
90834 - Psychotherapy, 45 minutes with patient
One of the most common CPT codes used by mental health clinicians is 90834. This code is used to describe individual psychotherapy sessions lasting 45 minutes. It’s important to note that this code is used for face-to-face sessions only and cannot be used for teletherapy or other forms of remote therapy.
90837 - Psychotherapy, 60 minutes with patient
Similar to 90834, 90837 is used to describe individual psychotherapy sessions lasting 60 minutes. This code is typically used for patients who require a longer therapy session or have more complex mental health needs.
90846 - Family psychotherapy (without the patient present)
Family therapy is a common form of therapy used by mental health clinicians to address family dynamics and interpersonal relationships. 90846 is used to describe family psychotherapy sessions where the patient is not present.
90847 - Family psychotherapy (with the patient present)
In contrast to 90846, 90847 is used to describe family psychotherapy sessions where the patient is present. This code is typically used when the patient is involved in the therapy session with their family members.
90832 - Psychotherapy, 30 minutes with patient
In some cases, mental health clinicians may provide shorter psychotherapy sessions lasting only 30 minutes. 90832 is used to describe these sessions and is typically used for patients who require less intensive therapy or for follow-up appointments.
90853 - Group psychotherapy
Group therapy is a common form of therapy used by mental health clinicians to address a variety of mental health concerns. 90853 is used to describe group psychotherapy sessions, which typically involve multiple patients participating in therapy together.
90839 - Psychotherapy for crisis, initial 60 minutes
In some cases, mental health clinicians may need to provide crisis intervention services to their patients. 90839 is used to describe the initial 60 minutes of psychotherapy provided during a crisis situation.
90840 - Psychotherapy for crisis, each additional 30 minutes
In addition to 90839, mental health clinicians may use 90840 to describe each additional 30 minutes of psychotherapy provided during a crisis situation.
90791 - Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation
Before beginning therapy, mental health clinicians typically conduct a psychiatric diagnostic evaluation to assess the patient’s mental health needs. 90791 is used to describe this initial evaluation and is typically a prerequisite for any subsequent therapy sessions.
Conclusion
As a mental health clinician, understanding the most common CPT codes used in your field is essential for accurate billing and reimbursement. The codes listed above are just a few of the most common codes used by mental health clinicians. It’s important to note that these codes can vary depending on your specialty and the services you provide. If you have any questions about CPT codes or billing practices, be sure to consult with your billing specialist or healthcare attorney. With a thorough understanding of CPT codes, mental health clinicians can ensure that they are providing high-quality care to their patients while also receiving proper reimbursement for their services.
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