Mental Health CPT Codes
These are the mental health CPT codes that come up across everyday outpatient care. Each maps to a specific service and, for individual therapy, a specific time range - get the time wrong and the claim gets downcoded or denied. Here's the cheat sheet with 2026 non-QP Medicare rates, then a page per code with documentation tips and the usual denial reasons.
| Code | Service | Time range | 2026 Medicare (non-QP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90791 | Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation (intake) | Per session | $173.35 |
| 90832 | 30-minute individual psychotherapy | 16 to 37 minutes | $85.84 |
| 90834 | 45-minute individual psychotherapy | 38 to 52 minutes | $113.90 |
| 90837 | 60-minute individual psychotherapy | 53 minutes or longer | $167.00 |
| 90846 | Family psychotherapy without the client present | 26 minutes or longer (typically about 50 minutes) | $105.88 † |
| 90847 | Family or couples psychotherapy with the client present | 26 minutes or longer (typically about 50 minutes) | $109.55 |
| 90853 | Group psychotherapy | Per session | $30.39 |
Non-QP national non-facility amounts from the CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (RVU26C, July 2026), using the non-QP conversion factor of $33.4009. Clinicians who are Qualifying APM Participants (QPs) are paid under a slightly higher factor. Master's-level clinicians (LCSW, LMFT, LPC) are typically paid about 75% of the listed amount, and your locality (GPCI) shifts it slightly.
† 90846 has restricted Medicare coverage (status indicator R) and is contractor-priced when covered, so its figure is an RVU-based estimate, not a published national rate.
Need dollar figures for your own caseload? Run a week of sessions through the CPT reimbursement calculator to see weekly, monthly, and annual revenue at your rates and payer mix.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main mental health CPT codes?
The everyday set is 90791 (the diagnostic intake), 90832 / 90834 / 90837 (individual psychotherapy at 30, 45, and 60 minutes), 90846 / 90847 (family and couples therapy), and 90853 (group therapy).
What is 90834 used for?
90834 is individual psychotherapy for a 45-minute session - 38 to 52 minutes of face-to-face time. It covers routine, ongoing outpatient therapy. Sessions of 53 minutes or more are billed as 90837 instead.
What CPT code is used for the first session?
90791, the psychiatric diagnostic evaluation. It's the comprehensive intake that ends in a diagnosis and treatment plan, and most payers cover it once at the start of care.
What is the difference between 90834 and 90837?
Time. 90834 is the 45-minute session (38-52 minutes) and 90837 is the 60-minute session (53 minutes or more). 90837 reimburses roughly 45% more under Medicare, so document the time that supports it.
Do these 2026 Medicare rates apply in my state?
They're the national non-facility rates from the CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Your locality's geographic adjustment (GPCI) moves them slightly, master's-level clinicians are paid about 75% of the listed rate, and commercial contracts vary widely. Treat the numbers as a baseline.
General reference for 2026, not billing, legal, or coding advice. Code rules and reimbursement depend on current CPT and CMS guidelines and your payer contracts - always confirm against your payer's policy.