CPT codes allow mental health professionals to identify services for payment.
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes are used to identify various types of psychological services, ranging from psychotherapy and group therapy to psychological testing services.
Clinicians use these codes to bill clients and file health insurance claims to private insurance providers and government insurance providers such as Medicare and Medicaid.
The codes have recently been updated to reflect changes made in the field of psychiatry.
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT codes) are used by psychologists and other mental health professionals to bill for their services to a private or government insurance provider.
The list we’ve included below isn’t a complete one, but rather a list of some of the most commonly used CPT codes in mental health and psychology services, meant to be used as a quick reference sheet.
It has been updated with the most recent and relevant code changes as of March 2022.
Billing codes generally don’t change very often, so the code you’ve been using may likely still be relevant.
Traditional face-to-face, individual psychotherapy sessions are usually billed only for 45 minutes (90834). It might be a good idea to get to know this code. You’ll likely use this one often.
Most mental health professionals use code 90791 for an intake interview and 90847 for family therapy.
In general, you’re responsible for using the most accurate and appropriate CPT billing code when billing for services that you provide, regardless of who does the actual billing on your behalf.
So it’s crucial you get to know the CPT codes.
| CPT Code | Description | Date changed |
| 90791 | Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation without medical services | |
| 90792 | Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation with medical services | |
| 90832 | Individual psychotherapy, 30 minutes | |
| +90833 | Individual psychotherapy, 30 minutes with evaluation and management service (E/M) | |
| 90834 | Individual psychotherapy, 45 minutes | |
| +90836 | Individual psychotherapy, 45 minutes with E/M | |
| 90837 | Individual psychotherapy, 60 minutes | |
| +90838 | Individual psychotherapy, 60 minutes with E/M | |
| 90845 | Psychoanalysis | |
| 90846 | Family psychotherapy without client present, 50 minutes | |
| 90847 | Family psychotherapy with client present, 50 minutes | |
| 90849 | Multiple-family group psychotherapy | |
| 90853 | Group psychotherapy (other than of a multiple-family group) | |
| Psychotherapy for Crisis | ||
| 90839 | Psychotherapy for crisis, first 60 minutes | |
| 90840 | Psychotherapy for crisis, each additional 30 minutes (list separately in addition to code for primary service) | |
| Psychological / Neuropsychological Testing | ||
| 96105 | Assessment of aphasia, per hour | |
| 96112 | Developmental test administration by physician or qualified healthcare professional, with interpretation and report, first hour | 2019 |
| +96113 | Developmental test administration by physician or qualified healthcare professional, with interpretation and report, each additional 30 minutes | 2019 |
| 96116 | Neurobehavioral status exam, first hour | 2019 |
| *96121 | Neurobehavioral status exam, additional hour | 2019 |
| 96125 | Standardized cognitive performance testing, per hour | |
| 96130 | Psychological testing and evaluation by a physician or qualified healthcare professional, first hour | 2019 |
| +96131 | Psychological testing and evaluation by a physician or qualified healthcare professional, each additional hour | 2019 |
| 96132 | Neuropsychological testing and evaluation by a physician or qualified healthcare professional, first hour | 2019 |
| +96133 | Neuropsychological testing and evaluation by a physician or qualified healthcare professional, each additional hour | 2019 |
| 96136 | Neuropsychological or psychological test administration and scoring by a physician or qualified healthcare professional, first hour | 2019 |
| +96137 | Neuropsychological or psychological test administration and scoring by a physician or qualified healthcare professional, each additional hour | 2019 |
| 96138 | Neuropsychological or psychological test administration and scoring by a technician, first hour | 2019 |
| +96139 | Neuropsychological or psychological test administration and scoring by a technician, each additional hour | 2019 |
| Health Behavior Assessment and Intervention | ||
| 96156 | Health behavior assessment or re-assessment | 2020 |
| 96158 | Health behavior intervention, individual, face-to-face, first 30 minutes | 2020 |
| +96159 | Health behavior intervention, individual, face-to-face, each additional 15 minutes | 2020 |
| 96164 | Health behavior intervention, group (2 or more clients), face-to-face, first 30 minutes | 2020 |
| +96165 | Health behavior intervention, group (2 or more clients), face-to-face, each additional 15 minutes | 2020 |
| 96167 | Health behavior intervention, family (with the client present), face-to-face, first 30 minutes | 2020 |
| +96168 | Health behavior intervention, family (with the client present), face-to-face, each additional 15 minutes | 2020 |
| 96170 | Health behavior intervention, family (without the client present), face-to-face, first 30 minutes | 2020 |
| +96171 | Health behavior intervention, family (without the client present), face-to-face, each additional 15 minutes | 2020 |
Recently, several CPT codes were changed to better describe various psychological, neurological, and behavioral assessments.
In the new codes, greater distinctions are made between whether the assessment is being given by a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or neurologist, or a technician.
Additionally, the testing services now have a stand-alone code for the primary service, as well as add-on codes for each additional service and extra time.
The primary changes in the CPT codes include:
- developmental test administration
- neurobehavioral status exam
- psychological testing and evaluation
- neuropsychological testing and evaluation
- neuropsychological or psychological test administration or scoring
- health behavior assessments and interventions
With the new codes, clinicians can better describe the exact amount of time they spend performing psychotherapy services.
These codes can also differentiate whether the test was administered by a healthcare or mental health professional or a technician.
According to the
In 2018, physician visits are estimated at
These mental health visits cover everything from assessments and psychological testing to individual and group therapy.
Each visit and procedure requires a unique CPT code. It’s crucial for mental health professionals to stay current on CPT code updates.