What are psychotherapy CPT codes?

As a psychologist or psychotherapist, it is important to understand the billing codes that are used in your profession. One such set of codes is known as psychotherapy CPT codes. These codes are used to bill for psychotherapy services and are used by insurance companies to determine reimbursement rates. In this blog post, we will explore what psychotherapy CPT codes are and why they are important.

‍

What are Psychotherapy CPT Codes?

CPT codes, or Current Procedural Terminology codes, are a set of five-digit codes used by healthcare professionals to describe the services they provide. For psychologists and psychotherapists, there are a number of CPT codes used to bill for psychotherapy services. These codes describe the type and duration of the therapy session and are used by insurance companies to determine reimbursement rates.

‍

The most common psychotherapy CPT codes used by psychologists and psychotherapists are:

90834 - Individual psychotherapy, 45 minutes

90837 - Individual psychotherapy, 60 minutes

90846 - Family psychotherapy without the patient present, 50 minutes

90847 - Family psychotherapy with the patient present, 50 minutes

90853 - Group psychotherapy (other than of a multiple-family group)

Each of these codes has a different reimbursement rate, depending on the insurance company and the location of the therapist's practice.

‍

Why are Psychotherapy CPT Codes Important?

Psychotherapy CPT codes are important because they allow psychologists and psychotherapists to bill for their services and receive payment from insurance companies. Without these codes, it would be difficult for therapists to receive reimbursement for their services, which could limit their ability to provide care to patients.

In addition, psychotherapy CPT codes allow insurance companies to track the types of services being provided by psychologists and psychotherapists. This information can be used to determine the effectiveness of different types of therapy and to identify areas where additional research is needed.

‍

How to Use Psychotherapy CPT Codes

To use psychotherapy CPT codes, psychologists and psychotherapists must include the appropriate code on their billing statement. They should also include a description of the services provided, including the type of therapy and the duration of the session.

It is important to note that insurance companies may require additional documentation to support the use of a particular CPT code. For example, they may require a diagnosis code to be included on the billing statement, or they may require documentation of the patient's progress in therapy.

In conclusion, Psychotherapy CPT codes are an essential part of the billing process for psychologists and psychotherapists. These codes allow therapists to bill for their services and receive payment from insurance companies. By using these codes correctly, therapists can ensure that they are reimbursed appropriately for the services they provide and that they can continue to provide quality care to their patients.

‍