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CPT 90837 is one of the most valuable psychotherapy codes in behavioral health billing. Providers use this code when delivering an individual psychotherapy session that lasts approximately 60 minutes. Because longer psychotherapy sessions require additional provider time, detailed clinical work, and comprehensive treatment interventions, payers often scrutinize CPT Code 90837 more closely than shorter psychotherapy codes.

CPT 90837 – A detailed Guide

Consequently, providers must understand documentation requirements, reimbursement considerations, telehealth rules, and audit risks before reporting 90837 Cpt Code.

This comprehensive guide explains everything providers need to know about 90837 Cpt Code, including billing guidelines, documentation standards, telehealth reporting, modifier usage, reimbursement factors, denial prevention strategies, and compliance best practices.

CPT Code 90837

This Code is used to report an individual psychotherapy session lasting approximately 60 minutes. Providers commonly use this code when treating patients with complex mental health conditions that require extended therapeutic interventions. Proper documentation should support session duration, medical necessity, treatment goals, therapeutic techniques, and patient progress.

CPT 90837 Details & Description

Category	Details
CPT Code	90837
Description	Psychotherapy, 60 Minutes
Time-Based Code	Yes
Typical Duration	53 Minutes or More
Medical Services Included	No
Telehealth Eligible	Often Yes
Common Providers	Psychologists, LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs
Common Use	Extended Individual Psychotherapy

What Is CPT 90837?

it represents an individual psychotherapy service lasting approximately 60 minutes. Unlike shorter psychotherapy sessions, 90837 Code reflects extended therapeutic treatment that allows providers to address more complex clinical concerns, explore deeper behavioral patterns, and implement comprehensive treatment strategies.

Providers often use 90837 cpt code when patients require additional therapeutic time due to:

• Severe anxiety disorders
• Major depressive disorder
• PTSD
• Trauma-related conditions
• Complex behavioral health issues
• Co-occurring mental health conditions
• Crisis-related concerns

Furthermore, the extended session length often allows providers to conduct more in-depth therapeutic interventions and treatment planning.

Why CPT 90837 Matters

Behavioral health providers frequently encounter patients whose clinical needs exceed the time available in shorter psychotherapy sessions.

Therefore, this code plays a critical role in:

• Managing complex psychiatric conditions
• Supporting long-term treatment plans
• Addressing trauma-related concerns
• Improving treatment outcomes
• Enhancing patient engagement
• Reducing symptom severity

Additionally, accurate reporting helps providers receive appropriate reimbursement for the time and expertise involved in delivering extended psychotherapy services.

Common Conditions Treated Using CPT 90837

Providers commonly report this code when treating:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Major Depressive Disorder
• PTSD
• Bipolar Disorder
• OCD
• Trauma-Related Disorders
• Personality Disorders
• Chronic Stress Conditions
• Grief and Bereavement
• Complex Behavioral Concerns

The psychotherapy session should focus on active treatment rather than routine counseling or supportive discussion.

Who Can Bill CPT 90837?

Qualified behavioral health professionals may report 90837 when payer requirements are met.

Common provider types include:

• Clinical Psychologists
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers
• Licensed Professional Counselors
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Behavioral Health Specialists

Because credentialing rules vary, providers should verify payer-specific participation requirements before billing the 90837 code.

CPT 90837 Time Requirements

Accurate time reporting is essential because CPT 90837 is a time-based psychotherapy code.

Providers generally report CPT 90837 when psychotherapy lasts:

53 minutes or longer

Documentation should clearly support the total psychotherapy time provided during the encounter.

CPT 90837 Documentation Requirements

Accurate documentation is the foundation of successful CPT 90837 billing. Because CPT 90837 represents an extended psychotherapy session, payers frequently review these claims more closely than shorter psychotherapy services.

Therefore, providers should ensure the medical record clearly supports both session duration and medical necessity.

Furthermore, documentation should demonstrate why a longer psychotherapy session was clinically appropriate.

Required Documentation Elements for CPT Code 90837

Although payer requirements may vary, providers should generally document the following components.

Presenting Symptoms

The record should clearly identify:

• Anxiety symptoms
• Depression symptoms
• Trauma-related concerns
• Behavioral challenges
• Emotional distress
• Functional impairments

Detailed symptom documentation helps support medical necessity.

Clinical Assessment

Providers should document:

• Current mental health status
• Symptom severity
• Treatment barriers
• Functional limitations
• Risk factors

Comprehensive assessments strengthen claim support.

Treatment Goals

Documentation should include measurable goals such as:

• Reducing anxiety symptoms
• Improving coping skills
• Managing depressive episodes
• Addressing trauma responses
• Improving emotional regulation

Clearly defined goals help demonstrate ongoing treatment needs.

Therapeutic Interventions

One of the most important CPT 90837 documentation requirements involves recording the interventions performed during the session.

Examples include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Trauma-Focused Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Motivational Interviewing
• Behavioral Modification
• Coping Skills Training
• Stress Management Techniques

Providers should explain how interventions addressed the patient’s symptoms.

Patient Response

Documentation should describe:

• Participation level
• Insight gained
• Behavioral changes
• Emotional response
• Progress toward goals

Individualized notes help reduce audit risk.

Session Duration

Because CPT 90837 is time-based, providers should document:

• Start time
• End time
• Total psychotherapy time

Failure to document duration remains one of the most common denial triggers.

CPT 90837 Documentation Checklist

Before claim submission, verify:

✓ Session duration documented
✓ Medical necessity supported
✓ Treatment goals updated
✓ Therapeutic interventions recorded
✓ Patient response documented
✓ Progress assessed
✓ Follow-up plan documented
✓ Provider signature completed

Organizations that consistently follow this checklist often experience fewer denials and stronger audit readiness.

Read More: Mental Health CPT Codes

CPT 90837 Reimbursement Considerations

Many providers search for information regarding CPT 90837 reimbursement because this code typically represents a higher-value psychotherapy service.

However, reimbursement varies significantly among payers.

Factors Affecting Reimbursement

Several factors may influence payment:

• Insurance carrier
• Geographic location
• Provider credentials
• Contract terms
• Facility type
• Medicare policies
• Medicaid requirements

Consequently, providers should review payer contracts regularly.

Why Documentation Impacts Reimbursement

Payers often review CPT 90837 claims carefully because longer psychotherapy sessions generally receive greater reimbursement.

Incomplete documentation may result in:

• Payment delays
• Medical record requests
• Claim denials
• Audit reviews

Therefore, strong documentation directly supports reimbursement success.

CPT 90837 Telehealth Billing

Telehealth has become an essential component of behavioral health care.

Many providers now perform extended psychotherapy sessions remotely.

As a result, understanding telehealth billing requirements remains critical.

Can CPT 90837 Be Billed Through Telehealth?

In many cases, yes.

Qualified providers may report CPT 90837 for telehealth psychotherapy services when payer requirements are met.

However, coverage policies vary among insurance plans.

Providers should verify current payer guidance before claim submission.

Telehealth Documentation Requirements

When billing CPT 90837 through telehealth, providers should document:

• Patient consent
• Telehealth platform used
• Patient location
• Provider location
• Session duration
• Therapeutic interventions
• Clinical findings

Complete telehealth documentation strengthens compliance and reimbursement support.

Modifier 95 for CPT 90837

Modifier 95 is commonly reported when psychotherapy services are delivered through qualifying telehealth technology.

This modifier indicates that the service occurred through real-time audio and video communication.

Telehealth Claim Example

Field	Value
CPT Code	90837
Modifier	95
POS	10
Service Type	Telehealth Psychotherapy

Providers should always verify payer-specific telehealth requirements.

POS Codes for CPT 90837

Accurate Place of Service reporting remains important.

POS 02

POS 02 generally applies when telehealth services are delivered while the patient is located somewhere other than their home.

Examples include:

• Community health centers
• Schools
• Residential facilities

POS 10

POS 10 generally applies when the patient receives telehealth services from home.

Because many psychotherapy sessions occur remotely, POS 10 is frequently reported.

CPT 90837 vs CPT 90834

One of the most searched psychotherapy billing questions involves understanding the difference between CPT 90837 and CPT 90834.

Comparison Table

Feature	CPT 90834	CPT 90837
Service Type	Psychotherapy	Psychotherapy
Typical Duration	45 Minutes	60 Minutes
Time Range	38–52 Minutes	53+ Minutes
Telehealth Eligible	Often Yes	Often Yes
Medical Services Included	No	No

When to Use CPT 90834

Providers generally report CPT 90834 when psychotherapy lasts between 38 and 52 minutes.

When to Use CPT 90837

Providers generally report CPT 90837 when psychotherapy lasts 53 minutes or longer and documentation supports the additional treatment time.

Because payers frequently review 90837 claims, providers should ensure medical necessity is clearly documented.

Common CPT 90837 Billing Mistakes

Behavioral health providers frequently encounter denials due to avoidable billing errors.

Common mistakes include:

❌ Missing session duration
❌ Unsupported medical necessity
❌ Generic progress notes
❌ Missing telehealth documentation
❌ Incorrect modifier usage
❌ Incorrect POS code
❌ Inadequate treatment planning
❌ Copy-and-paste documentation

Preventing these errors can improve claim acceptance rates significantly.

Common CPT 90837 Claim Denials

Understanding denial patterns helps organizations improve revenue cycle performance.

Denial Reason #1: Missing Time Documentation

Because CPT 90837 is time-based, documentation must support session duration.

Denial Reason #2: Insufficient Medical Necessity

The record should clearly explain why extended psychotherapy was clinically necessary.

Denial Reason #3: Unsupported Session Length

Payers may request records when psychotherapy duration appears inconsistent with documentation.

Denial Reason #4: Telehealth Errors

Common issues include:

• Missing Modifier 95
• Incorrect POS reporting
• Missing consent documentation

Denial Reason #5: Credentialing Problems

Claims may be denied when providers are not properly enrolled with the payer.

Audit Risks Associated With CPT 90837

Among psychotherapy codes, CPT 90837 often receives the highest level of payer scrutiny.

Frequent Use of 90837

Repeated billing of 60-minute psychotherapy sessions without adequate support may attract review.

Providers should clearly explain why extended sessions were necessary.

Copy-and-Paste Notes

Repeated documentation patterns may create compliance concerns.

Providers should maintain individualized records for every patient encounter.

Missing Clinical Complexity

Documentation should demonstrate the clinical factors supporting a longer psychotherapy session.

Without adequate support, audits may result in payment recoupments.

Missing Treatment Progress

Payers often expect evidence that psychotherapy services contribute to measurable treatment goals.

Documentation should reflect ongoing progress and clinical outcomes.

CPT 90837 Frequency Limitations

Understanding frequency limitations is important when billing CPT 90837. Although patients with complex behavioral health conditions may require ongoing psychotherapy, payers often review treatment frequency to ensure services remain medically necessary.

Therefore, providers should consistently document symptom severity, functional limitations, treatment progress, and continued clinical need.

Factors Affecting Visit Frequency

Several factors may influence how often CPT 90837 is billed:

• Severity of mental health symptoms
• Complexity of the diagnosis
• Treatment goals
• Risk factors
• Clinical progress
• Payer policies
• Care plan requirements

Patients experiencing severe anxiety, PTSD, major depressive disorder, or crisis-related concerns may require more intensive treatment schedules.

Supporting Continued Medical Necessity

Providers should regularly document:

• Current symptoms
• Functional impairments
• Treatment response
• Barriers to recovery
• Progress toward goals
• Need for continued psychotherapy

Strong documentation helps justify ongoing treatment and reduces denial risk.

Same-Day Billing Rules for CPT 90837

Behavioral health providers frequently ask whether CPT 90837 can be billed on the same day as other behavioral health services.

The answer depends on payer policies, provider type, and documentation.

CPT 90837 and CPT 90791 on the Same Day

Some payers may allow both services when documentation clearly supports:

• A psychiatric diagnostic evaluation
• A separately identifiable psychotherapy session
• Medical necessity for both services

Providers should verify payer-specific requirements before submitting claims.

CPT 90837 and Medication Management

Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners may provide psychotherapy and medication management during the same encounter.

When documentation supports both services, separate reporting may be appropriate under payer guidelines.

Same-Day Billing Best Practices

Before claim submission:

✓ Verify payer policy
✓ Confirm separate services were performed
✓ Support medical necessity
✓ Ensure complete documentation

Prior Authorization Requirements

Authorization requirements vary significantly among insurance plans.

Although many psychotherapy services do not require authorization, some plans may impose restrictions based on:

• Diagnosis
• Number of visits
• Treatment duration
• Provider type
• Benefit structure

Consequently, providers should verify benefits before initiating treatment.

Authorization Verification Checklist

Before treatment:

✓ Verify active coverage
✓ Confirm behavioral health benefits
✓ Check authorization requirements
✓ Document authorization numbers
✓ Record payer verification details

This process helps prevent avoidable denials and reimbursement delays.

CPT 90837 Documentation Template

Providers can use the following documentation framework to support CPT 90837 billing.

Patient Information

• Patient Name
• Date of Service
• Provider Name
• Diagnosis

Presenting Symptoms Document:

• Current symptoms
• Symptom severity
• Functional impairments
• Clinical concerns

Therapeutic Interventions

Examples include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Trauma-Focused Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Motivational Interviewing
• Behavioral Modification
• Coping Skills Development

Providers should explain how interventions addressed patient needs.

Patient Response

Document:

• Participation level
• Emotional response
• Progress toward goals
• Behavioral changes
• Insight gained

Treatment Plan

Include:

• Follow-up recommendations
• Updated goals
• Future interventions
• Care coordination activities

Session Duration

Clearly record:

• Start time
• End time
• Total psychotherapy time

Because CPT 90837 is a time-based code, duration documentation is critical.

Real CPT 90837 Billing Example

A patient diagnosed with PTSD and severe anxiety attends an extended psychotherapy session.

The therapist:

• Reviews symptom triggers
• Uses trauma-focused interventions
• Develops coping strategies
• Evaluates treatment progress
• Updates treatment goals

Claim Example

Field	Value
CPT Code	90837
Diagnosis	F43.10
Provider	Licensed Therapist
POS	11
Modifier	None
Service Type	Individual Psychotherapy

When documentation supports medical necessity and session duration, reimbursement may be appropriate.

Telehealth CPT 90837 Example

A patient participates in a 60-minute psychotherapy session from home using a secure telehealth platform.

The therapist provides treatment for depression and anxiety symptoms.

Claim Example

Field	Value
CPT Code	90837
Modifier	95
POS	10
Service Type	Telehealth Psychotherapy

Documentation includes:

• Patient consent
• Telehealth platform
• Session duration
• Therapeutic interventions
• Clinical findings

Reimbursement Optimization Strategies

Organizations that focus on reimbursement optimization often experience stronger revenue cycle performance.

Improve Documentation Quality

Detailed documentation supports:

• Medical necessity
• Compliance
• Audit readiness
• Claim acceptance

Monitor Denial Trends

Regular denial analysis helps identify:

• Coding issues
• Documentation deficiencies
• Authorization problems
• Telehealth errors

Educate Providers

Provider education improves:

• Documentation consistency
• Coding accuracy
• Compliance performance
• Revenue integrity

Conduct Internal Audits

Routine audits help organizations identify deficiencies before payer reviews occur.

As a result, providers can address issues proactively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is CPT 90837 used for?
A. CPT 90837 is used to report an individual psychotherapy session lasting approximately 60 minutes.

Q. How long is CPT 90837?
A. CPT 90837 generally applies when psychotherapy lasts 53 minutes or longer.

Q. Is CPT 90837 time-based?
A. Yes. CPT 90837 is a time-based psychotherapy code.

Q. What is the difference between CPT 90837 and CPT 90834?
A. CPT 90837 generally represents a 60-minute psychotherapy session, while CPT 90834 represents a 45-minute psychotherapy session.

Q. Does CPT 90837 include medication management?
A. No. CPT 90837 does not include medication management services.

Q. Can CPT 90837 be billed through telehealth?
A. Many payers allow telehealth billing when applicable requirements are met.

Q. What modifier is commonly used for telehealth CPT 90837 claims?

A. Modifier 95 is commonly reported for eligible telehealth psychotherapy services.

Q. Which POS code should be used for telehealth CPT 90837?
A. POS 10 generally applies when the patient is at home, while POS 02 typically applies when the patient is located elsewhere.

Q. Can CPT 90837 and CPT 90791 be billed on the same day?
A. Some payers may allow same-day billing when documentation supports separate services and medical necessity.

Q. Why are CPT Code 90837 claims denied?
A. Common denial reasons include missing time documentation, insufficient medical necessity, telehealth reporting errors, authorization issues, and credentialing problems.

Q. Who can bill 90837 CPT Code?
A. Qualified behavioral health professionals may report CPT 90837 when payer requirements are met.

Q. Does Medicare cover CPT 90837?
A. Coverage depends on provider eligibility, patient benefits, and applicable Medicare policies.

Q. Is authorization required for CPT 90837?
A. Authorization requirements vary among insurance plans and payer policies.

Q. What documentation is required for CPT 90837?
A. Providers should document session duration, treatment goals, therapeutic interventions, patient response, progress, and medical necessity.

Q. How can providers reduce CPT 90837 denials?
A. Providers can reduce denials by verifying eligibility, obtaining authorization when required, documenting thoroughly, and reviewing claims before submission.

Q. Is CPT 90837 audited more frequently than other psychotherapy codes?
A. Yes. Because 90837 cpt code represents a longer psychotherapy session and often receives higher reimbursement, payers may review these claims more closely.

Conclusion

CPT Code 90837 is an important psychotherapy code used to report extended individual psychotherapy sessions lasting approximately 60 minutes. Providers commonly use this code when treating complex behavioral health conditions that require additional therapeutic time and comprehensive clinical interventions.

Moreover, successful billing requires accurate documentation, proper time reporting, telehealth compliance, medical necessity support, and adherence to payer-specific requirements. Providers who understand authorization rules, reimbursement considerations, audit risks, and denial prevention strategies can improve claim acceptance rates and strengthen revenue cycle performance.

Ultimately, organizations that prioritize documentation quality, coding accuracy, compliance monitoring, and ongoing provider education are better positioned to reduce denials, optimize reimbursement, and deliver high-quality behavioral health care.