CPT 90837

CPT Code 90837: 60-minute individual psychotherapy

Service
60-minute individual psychotherapy
Category
Individual psychotherapy
Time range
53 minutes or longer
2026 Medicare (non-QP)
$167.00

90837 is the hour-long session - 53 minutes or more. It pays about 45% more than 90834 under Medicare, which is exactly why some commercial payers watch for clinicians who bill it on every session. The thing that protects you is simple: document the time, because that's what supports the code.

When to use 90837

  • Individual psychotherapy when the session runs 53 minutes or longer
  • Longer sessions that are clinically justified (for example trauma processing or EMDR)

What to document

  • Session time clearly stated (53+ minutes) - total time or start and stop times
  • Therapeutic interventions used and the modality
  • The client's response and progress toward treatment-plan goals
  • Why the longer session was clinically appropriate, where relevant
  • Current ICD-10 diagnosis and the plan for next steps

Common reasons 90837 gets denied

  • Documented time is under 53 minutes, so the session only supports 90834
  • Frequency flags - some payers audit clinicians who bill 90837 for nearly every session
  • Missing or unspecified diagnosis / medical necessity not established
  • Wrong place of service or missing telehealth modifier for virtual sessions

How much does 90837 pay in 2026?

The 2026 non-QP Medicare national non-facility rate for 90837 is about $167.00. Commercial payers usually land somewhere around $184 - $251 (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 90832 · 30-minute individual psychotherapy

Frequently asked questions

What is the time range for 90837?

90837 is the 60-minute psychotherapy code and is reported when the face-to-face session is 53 minutes or longer. Below 53 minutes, bill 90834 instead.

Why do payers scrutinize 90837?

Because it pays more than 90834, some commercial payers monitor clinicians who bill 90837 frequently. Clear time documentation and clinical justification for the longer session are the best protection.

What is the difference between 90834 and 90837?

90834 is the 45-minute session (38-52 minutes) and 90837 is the 60-minute session (53+ minutes). 90837 reimburses roughly 45% more under Medicare. The deciding factor is documented face-to-face time.

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.