CPT® Code 90838

Add-On Code

Psychotherapy, 60 minutes with patient when performed with an evaluation and management service (List separately in addition to the code for primary procedure)

CPT® Code 90838 refers to a specific type of psychotherapy session that lasts for 60 minutes and is conducted with a patient. This code is utilized when the psychotherapy is performed in conjunction with an evaluation and management (E/M) service. The primary focus of this psychotherapy is to provide individual support through various therapeutic techniques, including re-education, support, reassurance, and insight discussions. These methods aim to facilitate behavior modification by enhancing the patient's self-understanding or to assess and improve family relationship dynamics that may be impacting the patient's mental health condition. It is important to note that if psychotherapy is provided without any accompanying medical evaluation and management services, different codes should be used: CPT® Code 90832 for a 30-minute session, CPT® Code 90834 for a 45-minute session, and CPT® Code 90837 for a 60-minute session. When psychotherapy is performed alongside E/M services, the appropriate code to report for a 60-minute session is 90838, which is listed separately in addition to the primary procedure code.