Every behavioral health claim — and every superbill — runs on CPT codes. These are the ones clinicians and billers actually use, and the rules that get claims paid or denied.
The most common CPT codes for mental health are: 90791 (psychiatric diagnostic evaluation / intake), 90832 / 90834 / 90837 (individual psychotherapy — 30, 45, and 60 minutes), 90846 / 90847 (family therapy without and with the patient), 90853 (group psychotherapy), and 90839/+90840 (crisis psychotherapy). Prescribers use 90792 or E/M codes (99212–99215) for medication management. Substance use disorder programs also bill HCPCS "H-codes" such as H0015 (intensive outpatient) depending on the payer.
| 90791 | Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation (intake/biopsychosocial assessment) — no medical services. Typically billed once at the start of care. |
|---|---|
| 90792 | Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation with medical services — the prescriber's intake. |
| 90832 | Individual psychotherapy, 30 minutes (16–37 minutes). |
| 90834 | Individual psychotherapy, 45 minutes (38–52 minutes) — the most commonly billed therapy code. |
| 90837 | Individual psychotherapy, 60 minutes (53+ minutes). Reimburses more, and some payers scrutinize routine use — document why the longer session was needed. |
| 90846 / 90847 | Family psychotherapy without the patient (90846) and with the patient present (90847), typically 50 minutes. |
| 90853 | Group psychotherapy (per member, per session). |
| 90839 / +90840 | Psychotherapy for crisis, first 60 minutes; +90840 for each additional 30 (add-on). |
| +90785 | Interactive complexity add-on (e.g., communication barriers, involvement of third parties). |
| 99212–99215 | Evaluation & management — medication management visits. Psychotherapy add-ons +90833/+90836/+90838 can be billed alongside E/M when both occur. |
| 96130–96139 | Psychological and neuropsychological testing, evaluation and administration. |
Substance use disorder programs often bill HCPCS Level II codes instead of (or alongside) CPT, depending on the payer: H0001 (alcohol/drug assessment), H0004 (individual counseling, per 15 minutes), H0005 (group counseling), H0015 (intensive outpatient program, per diem), and H0035 (partial hospitalization, under 24 hours). Facility-based PHP and IOP claims also carry revenue codes (commonly 0912/0913) on institutional claim forms. Which code set a payer wants is a contract question — one more reason credentialing and contracting details matter.
90791 (diagnostic intake), 90832/90834/90837 (individual psychotherapy for 30/45/60 minutes), 90846/90847 (family therapy), 90853 (group therapy), and 90839/+90840 (crisis). Prescribers use 90792 or E/M codes 99212–99215 for medication management.
Time. 90834 covers psychotherapy of 38–52 minutes; 90837 covers 53 minutes or more and reimburses at a higher rate. Documentation must support the time billed, and some payers scrutinize routine 90837 use.
90791, the psychiatric diagnostic evaluation, is the standard intake/assessment code for non-prescribers. Prescribers performing an intake with medical services use 90792.
HCPCS Level II codes many payers use for SUD and program-level services — for example H0001 (assessment), H0004 (individual counseling per 15 minutes), H0005 (group counseling), H0015 (IOP per diem), and H0035 (partial hospitalization). Whether a payer wants CPT or H-codes depends on the contract.
How billing works and why it's specialized.
The receipt clients use for out-of-network reimbursement.
How payers decide what care they'll cover.
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