CPT® Code 90837

Psychotherapy, as defined by CPT® Code 90837, involves a structured therapeutic interaction between a mental health professional and a patient, lasting for a duration of 60 minutes. This form of individual psychotherapy aims to facilitate behavior modification through various techniques, including re-education, support, reassurance, and insight discussions. The process is designed to enhance the patient's self-understanding and address psychological issues that may affect their behavior and emotional well-being. Additionally, psychotherapy may also focus on evaluating and improving family relationship dynamics that are relevant to the patient's mental health condition. It is important to note that if the psychotherapy session is shorter, alternative codes are available: CPT® Code 90832 is used for sessions lasting 30 minutes, and CPT® Code 90834 is applicable for 45-minute sessions. In cases where psychotherapy is provided alongside medical evaluation and management services, different codes should be reported: CPT® Code 90833 for 30 minutes, CPT® Code 90836 for 45 minutes, and CPT® Code 90838 for 60 minutes. This structured approach ensures that the therapeutic needs of the patient are met while allowing for appropriate coding and billing practices.