August 7, 2025
In mental health billing, CPT code 90834 is frequently used for psychotherapy sessions typically scheduled for about 45 minutes.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and other behavioral health providers need to know how to bill it correctly, including time requirements, documentation, and reimbursement rates, to avoid denials and maximize payments.
According to the AMA CPT manual, CPT 90834 is defined as:
“Psychotherapy, 45 minutes with patient.”
This code applies to individual psychotherapy appointments that run between 38 and 52 minutes, delivered by a licensed or credentialed mental health provider.
While it’s called a 45-minute code, the accepted time range for CPT 90834 is 38–52 minutes of face-to-face psychotherapy.
If your conference is smaller or longer, use the suitable code:
Reimbursement rates vary by payer and location.
Medicare national average (2025): Approximately $92–$115 per session.
Private payers: often higher, ranging $100–$150, depending on contracts.
Tip: Always check your specific payer’s fee schedule to confirm your exact rate.
Code | Description | Time Range | Use Case |
90832 | Psychotherapy, 30 minutes with the patient | 16–37 mins | Short individual therapy |
90834 | Psychotherapy, 45 minutes with the patient | 38–52 mins | Standard therapy session |
90833 | Add-on code for psychotherapy with E/M service | 16–37 mins | When therapy is provided along with medication management |
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CPT 90833 is used when a provider performs a psychiatric evaluation & medication management (E/M service) and provides psychotherapy in the same session.
To bill CPT 90834, your documentation should include:
CPT 90834 is the code for usual 45-minute psychotherapy conferences. Correctly using the time range (38–52 minutes), linking the right diagnosis codes, and documenting medical necessity will help you get paid faster and reduce denials.
By understanding the difference between 90832, 90833, and 90834 and following payer-specific rules, you can keep your mental health billing clean and compliant in 2025.
CPT 90834 covers the 38–52 minutes of individual psychotherapy.
Yes, if the payer allows it and you use modifier 95 for telehealth.
Medicare national average is about $92–$115; private payers may reimburse $100–$150+.
Costs vary based on location, provider, and insurance, but here’s a general range:
When I was uninsured, I paid $90/session out-of-pocket. Later, with insurance, my copay was just $25. The financial piece can feel overwhelming—but help is out there.
Yes, most private insurance plans, Medicaid, and Medicare cover 90834 sessions—especially when paired with a valid mental health diagnosis code (like F41.1 for generalized anxiety or F33.1 for major depression).
Tip: Make sure your provider is in-network, and check if preauthorization is needed. I learned this the hard way after an OON session I had to pay for entirely out-of-pocket.
This code can be used for many therapeutic styles, including:
My therapist used a mix of CBT and mindfulness. Even though we talked about some pretty dark times, 45 minutes always felt like a safe space—a place to breathe and be heard.
Couples therapy sessions are billed under CPT codes 90847 or 90846, rather than CPT 90834.
F32.0–F33.9 (depressive disorders), F41.1 (generalized anxiety disorder), F43.1 (PTSD).
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