How To Use CPT Code 90837

CPT 90837 describes the provision of psychotherapy services by a healthcare provider 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 90837?

CPT 90837 can be used to describe the provision of psychotherapy services by a healthcare provider to a patient. This code is used when the provider spends a minimum of 53 minutes up to 60 minutes face-to-face with the patient, engaging in therapeutic interaction to explore the patient’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Psychotherapy techniques are utilized to improve the patient’s mental and emotional health.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 90837 is: ‘Psychotherapy, 60 minutes with patient.’

3. Procedure

1. The healthcare provider engages in a therapeutic interaction with the patient to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
2. Psychotherapy techniques are utilized to address the mental and emotional health problems of the patient.
3. The session typically lasts for a minimum of 53 minutes up to 60 minutes.
4. No additional evaluation and management service is performed during this session.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 90837 is appropriate for patients who require psychotherapy services to address their mental and emotional health problems. The provider must spend a minimum of 53 minutes up to 60 minutes face-to-face with the patient, without performing an additional evaluation and management service.

5. When to use CPT code 90837

CPT code 90837 should be used when a healthcare provider spends a minimum of 53 minutes up to 60 minutes engaging in psychotherapy with a patient. This code is not appropriate if an additional evaluation and management service is performed during the session.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 90837, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• The patient’s mental and emotional health problems
• The duration of the session, which should be a minimum of 53 minutes up to 60 minutes
• The psychotherapy techniques utilized during the session
• Progress made by the patient during the session
• Signature of the healthcare provider providing the service

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 90837, ensure that the healthcare provider spends a minimum of 53 minutes up to 60 minutes face-to-face with the patient. This code should not be reported if an additional evaluation and management service is performed during the session. Consider using code +90838 if a separate evaluation and management service is provided along with the psychotherapy session for a minimum of 53 minutes.

8. Historical information

CPT 90837 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 60-minute psychotherapy session to a patient with depression.
2. A licensed clinical social worker engaging in a 60-minute psychotherapy session with a patient with anxiety disorders.
3. A psychiatrist conducting a 60-minute psychotherapy session with a patient with bipolar disorder.
4. A licensed professional counselor providing a 60-minute psychotherapy session to a patient with post-traumatic stress disorder.
5. A psychiatric nurse practitioner engaging in a 60-minute psychotherapy session with a patient with substance use disorder.
6. A licensed marriage and family therapist conducting a 60-minute psychotherapy session with a patient with relationship issues.
7. A clinical psychologist providing a 60-minute psychotherapy session to a patient with eating disorders.
8. A licensed mental health counselor engaging in a 60-minute psychotherapy session with a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
9. A psychiatric nurse conducting a 60-minute psychotherapy session with a patient with schizophrenia.
10. A licensed clinical social worker providing a 60-minute psychotherapy session to a patient with personality disorders.