CPT® Code 90837 is used to report individual psychotherapy sessions with a patient that last approximately 60 minutes. This is the highest time-based individual psychotherapy code, indicating a high level of complexity, depth, or duration of care.
Overview
Psychotherapy services involve the treatment of mental health disorders using psychological techniques to help patients improve emotional regulation, reduce symptoms, and develop coping strategies. CPT 90837 is distinct from shorter psychotherapy codes (like 90834 for 45 minutes), as it denotes more intensive therapeutic interaction.
This service may be provided by:
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs)
- Marriage and family therapists (MFTs)
- Licensed professional counselors (LPCs)
- Other qualified mental health professionals
Typical Patient Description
A patient with major depressive disorder and PTSD presents for weekly psychotherapy. The clinician uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to process trauma, assess mood stability, and help the patient develop new behavioral coping skills. The session lasts about 60 minutes and involves detailed therapeutic work.
Care Components
- Face-to-face psychotherapy (in-person or via telehealth, if appropriate)
- Continuous, active therapeutic engagement
- Includes diagnosis-specific strategies (e.g., CBT, DBT, psychodynamic)
- Documentation must include:
- Therapeutic interventions used
- Patient progress
- Duration of the session
- Time spent (must justify 60 minutes)
Billing Considerations
- Time requirement: Typically at least 53 minutes of psychotherapy must be performed to bill 90837.
- Do not use with medication management alone: If the session is primarily for evaluating and managing medication, a psychiatric E/M code like 99213 or 99214 should be used—possibly in conjunction with 90833 (30 minutes psychotherapy add-on).
- May be reimbursed at a higher rate due to the longer duration and complexity.
- Some payers may request medical necessity documentation to justify ongoing use of 90837 over shorter sessions.
Using CPT 90837 in OptiMantra
OptiMantra supports efficient documentation and billing of 90837 services for behavioral health professionals:
- Customizable therapy note templates: Easily document time spent, interventions used (e.g., CBT, EMDR), and patient progress.
- Time tracking: Ensure compliance with minimum session length for 90837 (typically >53 minutes).
- Telehealth integration: Fully compatible with remote psychotherapy services; sessions billed via 90837 can be conducted and documented through OptiMantra’s secure platform.
- Claim generation: Automatic CPT code capture based on visit type and time spent, ensuring accurate billing and streamlined insurance processing.
Clinicians using OptiMantra can confidently bill CPT 90837 knowing they have the tools to support proper documentation, compliance, and reimbursement.
Try OptiMantra for free here!
