Psychotherapy CPT code time calculator
Enter how long the session ran and see the code the time supports. A 50-minute session is 90834, not 90837, and that difference is the most common reason a psychotherapy claim comes back.
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Session
50 minutes supports
90834
Psychotherapy, 45 minutes
3 more minutes would support 90837.
| Minutes | Code | Service |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 15 | None | Under 16 minutes isn't billed as psychotherapy |
| 16 to 37 | 90832 | Psychotherapy, 30 minutes |
| 38 to 52 | 90834 | Psychotherapy, 45 minutes |
| 53+ | 90837 | Psychotherapy, 60 minutes |
How to use it
- 1Choose individual, family or crisis.
- 2Enter the face-to-face minutes you documented.
- 3Use the code shown, and note how many minutes the next code up needs.
Questions
What are the time ranges for 90832, 90834 and 90837?
90832 is 16 to 37 minutes, 90834 is 38 to 52 minutes, and 90837 is 53 minutes or more of psychotherapy with the client.
Is a 50-minute session 90834 or 90837?
90834. 90837 needs at least 53 minutes. Three more minutes changes the code, so record start and stop times.
What counts toward the time?
Face-to-face time with the client, or the client and family, spent on psychotherapy. Writing notes, scheduling and billing don't count.
When do I use the crisis codes?
90839 covers the first 30 to 74 minutes of psychotherapy for a client in crisis. Add 90840 for each extra 30 minutes past 74. Under 30 minutes, bill 90832 or 90834 instead.
Do commercial plans use the same ranges?
Most follow the CPT time ranges, but some contracts set their own rules. Check the plan's billing policy.
Put the code on a superbill
Private-pay clients file with their plan using a superbill. Make one with the free superbill generator, which also flags a code that doesn’t match the session time. Read why a 50-minute session is 90834, not 90837.
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