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Which CPT code fits this session?
Most therapy billing uses a surprisingly small set of CPT codes, and most claim denials in a solo practice come from mixing up just two or three of them — 90834 versus 90837, or 90846 versus 90847. The code is determined by two things you already know: what kind of session it was, and (for individual work) how many face-to-face minutes it ran.
Answer the questions below and the right code appears, along with what your note has to document to support it and the pitfalls that most often trigger reviews. For the deeper story, see 90837 vs 90834 and the full CPT guide for therapists.
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Your code
Before you file, two things worth checking:
- 90785 (interactive complexity) is an add-on for sessions genuinely complicated by communication barriers — a play-therapy session with a young child, an interpreter, or high-conflict caregivers in the room. It rides on top of the primary code; it never stands alone.
- Telehealth? Same code, different place of service: POS 10 when the client is at home, POS 02 elsewhere, plus modifier 95 for many payers. POS 02 vs POS 10, explained.
Common questions
What is the difference between CPT 90834 and 90837?
Time. 90834 covers individual psychotherapy of 38 to 52 minutes of face-to-face time; 90837 requires 53 minutes or more. A classic 45-minute session is 90834. A true 55- or 60-minute session is 90837 — but only if your note documents at least 53 minutes.
Can I bill 90837 for a 50-minute session?
No. 90837 requires 53 or more minutes of documented face-to-face time. A 50-minute session falls in the 38-to-52-minute range, which is 90834. Billing 90837 without the minutes to support it is one of the most common audit findings in outpatient behavioral health.
Which code do I use when I meet with family or a partner without the client present?
Use 90846 — family psychotherapy without the identified client in the room. When the client is present, use 90847. Both are typically 50-minute sessions, and both are billed under the identified client’s chart, not under the family member who attended.
Do therapy CPT codes change for telehealth?
You use the same codes — a 45-minute video session is still 90834. What changes is the place-of-service code (POS 10 when the client is at home, POS 02 elsewhere) and, for many payers, a telehealth modifier such as 95. Check each payer’s current telehealth policy.
This tool is educational, not billing or legal advice — always verify against the current CPT code set and each payer’s policy before filing. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association; the descriptions here are our own plain-language summaries, not official CPT descriptor text.
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