How To Use CPT Code 90834

CPT 90834 describes the psychotherapy services provided by a healthcare professional to treat the mental and emotional health problems of a patient. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 90834?

CPT 90834 can be used to describe the psychotherapy services provided by a healthcare professional to address the psychiatric disorders of a patient. This code is used when the provider spends approximately 45 minutes, but no less than 38 minutes and no more than 52 minutes, in a face-to-face session with the patient without an additional evaluation and management service.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 90834 is: ‘Psychotherapy, 45 minutes with patient.’

3. Procedure

1. The healthcare professional engages in an interactive process with the patient to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
2. Various techniques based on communication, relationship building, and behavior change are used to improve the mental health of the patient.
3. The provider spends approximately 45 minutes, but no less than 38 minutes and no more than 52 minutes, in a face-to-face session with the patient.
4. No additional evaluation and management service is performed during this session.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 90834 is appropriate for patients with mental and emotional health problems that require psychotherapy. The provider must spend approximately 45 minutes, but no less than 38 minutes and no more than 52 minutes, in a face-to-face session with the patient without an additional evaluation and management service.

5. When to use CPT code 90834

CPT code 90834 should be used when a healthcare professional provides psychotherapy services to a patient for approximately 45 minutes, but no less than 38 minutes and no more than 52 minutes, in a face-to-face session without an additional evaluation and management service.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 90834, the healthcare professional must document the following information:

• The patient’s mental and emotional health problems that require psychotherapy
• The duration of the session, which should be approximately 45 minutes, but no less than 38 minutes and no more than 52 minutes
• No additional evaluation and management service performed during the session

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 90834, ensure that the provider spends approximately 45 minutes, but no less than 38 minutes and no more than 52 minutes, in a face-to-face session with the patient without an additional evaluation and management service. Use add-on code +90836 when the provider performs a separate evaluation and management service along with a psychotherapy session for 38 to 52 minutes.

8. Historical information

CPT 90834 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2013. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A psychologist providing a 45-minute psychotherapy session to a patient with depression.
2. A licensed clinical social worker engaging in a 45-minute psychotherapy session with a patient struggling with anxiety.
3. A psychiatrist conducting a 45-minute psychotherapy session with a patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
4. A counselor providing a 45-minute psychotherapy session to a patient dealing with grief and loss.
5. A psychiatric nurse practitioner engaging in a 45-minute psychotherapy session with a patient with post-traumatic stress disorder.
6. A licensed marriage and family therapist conducting a 45-minute psychotherapy session with a couple experiencing relationship issues.
7. A clinical psychologist providing a 45-minute psychotherapy session to a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
8. A mental health counselor engaging in a 45-minute psychotherapy session with a patient struggling with substance abuse.
9. A psychiatric nurse conducting a 45-minute psychotherapy session with a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia.
10. A licensed professional counselor providing a 45-minute psychotherapy session to a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder.