CPT 90832

CPT Code 90832: 30-minute individual psychotherapy

Service
30-minute individual psychotherapy
Category
Individual psychotherapy
Time range
16 to 37 minutes
2026 Medicare (non-QP)
$85.84

90832 is the shortest of the three timed individual psychotherapy codes - the 30-minute session. Bill it when face-to-face time lands in the 16-37 minute band. It shows up most for brief check-ins, some telehealth, and crisis follow-ups that don't run a full hour.

When to use 90832

  • Individual psychotherapy when the session time lands in the 16-37 minute range
  • Shorter check-in or follow-up sessions

What to document

  • Total time, or start and stop times, of the face-to-face session
  • Therapeutic interventions used
  • The client's response and progress toward treatment-plan goals
  • Current ICD-10 diagnosis and the plan for next steps

Common reasons 90832 gets denied

  • Documented time does not support the 30-minute code
  • Missing or unspecified diagnosis / medical necessity not established
  • Provider credential not eligible to bill the code with that payer

How much does 90832 pay in 2026?

The 2026 non-QP Medicare national non-facility rate for 90832 is about $85.84. Commercial payers usually land somewhere around $94 - $129 (roughly 110-150% of Medicare), though contracts run from below 80% to above 200%. A few things worth remembering: these figures use the non-QP conversion factor ($33.4009) - clinicians who are Qualifying APM Participants (QPs) are paid under a slightly higher factor - Medicare pays master's-level clinicians (LCSW, LMFT, LPC) about 75% of the listed amount, and your locality's geographic adjustment (GPCI) shifts the number a little.

Want the math for your own week of sessions and payer mix? Try the CPT reimbursement calculator - stack your codes, set your rates, and see weekly, monthly, and annual revenue.

Related codes

90834 · 45-minute individual psychotherapy 90837 · 60-minute individual psychotherapy

Frequently asked questions

What is the time range for 90832?

90832 represents a 30-minute session and is reported when the face-to-face psychotherapy time is roughly 16 to 37 minutes. Document the actual time spent.

This page is general reference for 2026 and is not billing, legal, or coding advice. Code rules, time ranges, and reimbursement depend on the current CPT and CMS guidelines, your payer contracts, state, locality, and credentials - always confirm against your payer's policy. See the full mental health CPT code list.