CPT 90834

CPT Code 90834: 45-minute individual psychotherapy

Service
45-minute individual psychotherapy
Category
Individual psychotherapy
Time range
38 to 52 minutes
2026 Medicare (non-QP)
$113.90

90834 is individual psychotherapy for a 45-minute session. Bill it when face-to-face time lands in the 38-52 minute band - the length of a routine, ongoing outpatient session. Once a session reaches 53 minutes, it becomes 90837.

When to use 90834

  • Routine individual psychotherapy when the session runs about 45 minutes
  • The 'standard' therapy hour for ongoing weekly or biweekly care

What to document

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

Common reasons 90834 gets denied

  • Documented time does not support a 45-minute session
  • Missing or unspecified diagnosis / medical necessity not established
  • Wrong place of service or missing telehealth modifier for virtual sessions

How much does 90834 pay in 2026?

The 2026 non-QP Medicare national non-facility rate for 90834 is about $113.90. Commercial payers usually land somewhere around $125 - $171 (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

90837 · 60-minute individual psychotherapy 90832 · 30-minute individual psychotherapy

Frequently asked questions

What is the time range for 90834?

90834 represents a 45-minute session and is reported when the face-to-face psychotherapy time is roughly 38 to 52 minutes. Once the session reaches 53 minutes, 90837 is the correct code.

What is 90834 used for?

90834 is individual psychotherapy for a 45-minute session (38-52 minutes of face-to-face time). It covers routine, ongoing outpatient therapy. When a session runs 53 minutes or longer, bill 90837 instead.

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.