CPT 90837 is the code for 60 minutes of individual psychotherapy, and it is reported when the session lasts 53 minutes or more. It is the most common code for a full therapy hour, and also the one payers look at most closely, so the documented time has to support it.
CPT 90837 description
90837 is psychotherapy, 60 minutes, with the patient (family members may take part). Under CPT time rules it covers sessions of 53 minutes or more. The time counted is time spent in psychotherapy with the patient and/or family, and the patient must be present for all or part of it. See the American Psychiatric Association CPT overview (opens in a new tab) for how the psychotherapy codes fit together.
Psychotherapy time bands at a glance
| Code | Time with the patient | Billed when |
|---|---|---|
| 90832 | 16 to 37 minutes | Psychotherapy only |
| 90834 | 38 to 52 minutes | Psychotherapy only |
| 90837 | 53 minutes or more | Psychotherapy only |
| +90833 / +90836 / +90838 | Same time bands (16–37, 38–52, 53+) | Add-ons when psychotherapy is done with an E/M visit on the same day |
Documentation that supports 90837
- Start and stop times, or total psychotherapy time, for the session
- Who attended, and that the patient was present
- The therapeutic interventions used and the patient’s response
- Progress toward treatment plan goals
- A diagnosis that supports ongoing psychotherapy
Why 90837 claims get denied or reviewed
- Time not supported: the note shows under 53 minutes, or no time at all. A 50-minute session is a 90834.
- High use patterns: some payers review clinicians who bill 90837 for most sessions, and some require prior authorization for it.
- Same-day E/M: when the same provider bills an E/M visit, psychotherapy is reported with add-on +90838 instead of 90837.
- Same-day 90791: the same provider generally cannot bill psychotherapy and a diagnostic evaluation on the same date.
- Authorization or session limits: the plan caps visits or needs approval for ongoing therapy.
How much does 90837 pay?
Payment depends on the payer, your contract and location. Medicare pays 90837 more than 90834 because it describes more work. Use the CMS Physician Fee Schedule look-up tool (opens in a new tab) to see the current Medicare amount for your locality, and check commercial fee schedules in each contract.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bill 90837 for a 55-minute session?
Yes. 90837 applies from 53 minutes, as long as the time is documented.
Can 90837 be billed by telehealth?
Yes, with most payers. Place of service and modifiers differ between Medicare, Medicaid and commercial plans, so follow each payer’s current telehealth rules. Our POS 02 vs. POS 10 guide explains which place of service to use.
Can I add 90785 to 90837?
Yes, when one of the four interactive complexity factors is present and documented. See the 90785 guide.
Related mental health billing guides
- CPT 90791: psychiatric diagnostic evaluation
- CPT 90832: 30-minute psychotherapy
- CPT 90834: 45-minute psychotherapy
- 90837 vs. 90834: which code to bill
- CPT 90785: interactive complexity add-on
- Mental health billing services
CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Code rules change every year, and payer policies differ. This guide reflects general guidance at the time of writing; your payer contracts and documentation decide what is billable.
Getting 90837 claims denied?
We review your psychotherapy denials and documentation and tell you what is triggering them.