Therapy Billing Codes Explained (90837, 90834 & More)

The right CPT code is the difference between getting paid and getting denied. Here are the therapy billing codes you use most, what each means, and the time ranges that determine which to bill.

The core psychotherapy codes

90832 = psychotherapy, 30 minutes (16-37 min). 90834 = psychotherapy, 45 minutes (38-52 min). 90837 = psychotherapy, 60 minutes (53+ min). These time-based codes are the backbone of outpatient therapy billing. The code must match the actual session length or you risk a downcoding denial.

Why 90837 gets scrutinized

90837 (the 60-minute code) pays more and is watched more closely by payers. Billing it without clear time documentation in your notes is a common denial trigger. Document start and stop times to support it.

Other common codes

90847 = family/couples therapy with the patient present. 90846 = family therapy without the patient. 90791 = diagnostic evaluation (intake). 90853 = group psychotherapy. Add-on codes exist for crisis and extended sessions.

Matching the code to avoid denials

The most common coding denial is a mismatch: the session length, the code, and the documentation must all agree. If you bill 90837 but your note supports 45 minutes, expect a downcode or denial. See our denial code decoder for what specific coding denials mean.