Family involvement often plays a significant role in behavioral health treatment. In many situations, providers must address communication challenges, relationship conflicts, behavioral concerns, and treatment goals that affect both the patient and family members. CPT 90847 allows qualified behavioral health professionals to report these family psychotherapy services when the patient participates in the session.
Because family therapy billing differs from individual psychotherapy billing, providers must understand documentation requirements, time considerations, telehealth guidelines, and reimbursement rules before submitting claims. Proper coding helps improve claim accuracy, reduce denials, and support compliance.
CPT 90847 – A Detailed Guide
This guide explains the CPT 90847 description, time requirements, documentation standards, telehealth billing rules, reimbursement considerations, and common billing mistakes.
CPT 90847 Quick Answer
CPT 90847 describes family psychotherapy services provided with the patient present. The service focuses on improving family dynamics, communication patterns, treatment adherence, and behavioral health outcomes through therapeutic interventions involving both the patient and family members.
CPT 90847 Description
Understanding the official code description is the first step toward accurate billing.
CPT 90847 describes family psychotherapy with the patient present.
Unlike CPT 90846, which involves family therapy without the patient participating, CPT Code 90847 requires the patient to be actively involved during the therapy session.
Providers use this code when family participation contributes directly to the patient’s treatment goals and behavioral health outcomes.
CPT 90847 Time Requirement
One of the most common billing questions involves session duration.
CPT 90847 Time Guidelines
Unlike CPT 90832, CPT 90834, and CPT 90837, CPT 90847 is not strictly defined by a specific time range.
However, family psychotherapy sessions commonly last approximately 50 minutes.
Providers should document:
- Session start time
- Session end time
- Total treatment time
- Therapeutic interventions performed
Although CPT guidelines do not establish a mandatory time threshold, documenting session duration remains a best practice.
Family Psychotherapy CPT Code 90847 at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| CPT Code | 90847 |
| Description | Family Psychotherapy With Patient Present |
| Typical Session Length | Approximately 50 Minutes |
| Service Type | Family Therapy |
| Telehealth Eligible | Often Yes |
| Modifier 95 | Frequently Required for Telehealth |
| Specialty | Behavioral Health |
Who Can Bill CPT 90847?
Several behavioral health professionals may report CPT 90847 when payer requirements are met.
Common provider types include:
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs)
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)
- Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs)
- Marriage and Family Therapists (where permitted)
- Other qualified behavioral health providers
Provider eligibility varies by payer, state regulations, and credentialing requirements.
Therefore, practices should verify participation requirements before billing.
When Should Providers Use 90847 CPT Code?
Providers typically report Family Psychotherapy CPT Code 90847 when treatment focuses on family relationships that directly affect the patient’s behavioral health condition.
Common scenarios include:
- Parent-child conflict
- Family communication issues
- Adolescent behavioral concerns
- Substance abuse recovery support
- Family treatment planning
- Depression management involving caregivers
- Anxiety-related family interventions
Additionally, providers often use CPT 90847 when family participation improves treatment adherence and supports long-term behavioral health outcomes.
CPT 90847 Documentation Requirements
Accurate documentation remains critical for reimbursement and compliance.
Documentation should clearly demonstrate medical necessity and support the services performed.
Patient Information
Include:
- Patient name
- Date of service
- Diagnosis
- Provider information
Participants Present
Documentation should identify:
- Patient
- Family members present
- Relationship to patient
Because CPT 90847 requires patient participation, the record should clearly confirm the patient’s presence.
Clinical Issues Addressed
Document:
- Presenting concerns
- Family dynamics
- Behavioral health symptoms
- Treatment barriers
Therapeutic Interventions
Examples include:
- Family systems therapy
- Communication skill development
- Conflict resolution strategies
- Behavioral interventions
- Psychoeducation
Treatment Progress
Providers should document:
- Patient response
- Family response
- Progress toward goals
- Future treatment plans
Strong documentation supports medical necessity and helps reduce denial risk.
CPT 90847 vs CPT 90846
One of the most common coding questions involves choosing between CPT 90847 and CPT 90846.
Although both codes involve family psychotherapy, the patient’s participation determines which code is appropriate.
| Feature | CPT 90846 | CPT 90847 |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Present | No | Yes |
| Family Members Present | Yes | Yes |
| Service Type | Family Psychotherapy | Family Psychotherapy |
| Typical Session Length | Approximately 50 Minutes | Approximately 50 Minutes |
When to Use CPT 90846
Use CPT 90846 when:
- Family members attend therapy
- The patient is not present
- Treatment focuses on family education and support
- Providers address family dynamics impacting patient care
When to Use CPT 90847
Use CPT 90847 when:
- The patient participates in the session
- Family interactions directly support treatment goals
- Therapeutic interventions involve both the patient and family members
Accurately distinguishing between these codes helps reduce denials and compliance concerns.
Telehealth Billing for CPT 90847
Many payers allow family psychotherapy services to be delivered through telehealth when clinical requirements are met.
However, telehealth policies vary significantly among Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance plans.
Before billing telehealth family therapy services, providers should verify:
✓ Telehealth eligibility
✓ Covered services
✓ Provider requirements
✓ Documentation standards
✓ Modifier requirements
✓ Place of Service requirements
Because telehealth rules continue to evolve, verification remains essential before claim submission.
Modifier 95 for Family Psychotherapy CPT Code 90847
The Modifier 95 is frequently required when family psychotherapy occurs through real-time audio and video communication technology.
Modifier 95 Example
| CPT Code | Modifier |
|---|---|
| 90847 | 95 |
Documentation should support:
- Patient consent
- Telehealth platform used
- Participants present
- Clinical services performed
- Session duration
For additional guidance, internally link to your Modifier 95 Guide and Mental Health Modifiers article.
POS 02 vs POS 10 for CPT 90847
Telehealth claims require the appropriate Place of Service code.
| POS Code | Description |
|---|---|
| POS 02 | Telehealth Provided Other Than Patient’s Home |
| POS 10 | Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home |
POS 02
Use POS 02 when the patient participates from a location other than their home.
POS 10
Use POS 10 when the patient receives services while located at home.
Incorrect POS reporting may result in reimbursement delays or claim denials.
CPT 90847 Reimbursement Information
Reimbursement for CPT 90847 varies based on several factors.
These include:
- Insurance carrier
- Geographic location
- Provider credentials
- Contracted fee schedules
- Telehealth policies
- Place of service
Generally, reimbursement differs among commercial insurance plans, Medicare programs, and Medicaid plans.
Providers should review payer contracts regularly and avoid selecting codes based solely on reimbursement potential.
Accurate coding and documentation remain the primary reimbursement drivers.
Real Billing Example for CPT 90847
Understanding practical billing scenarios helps improve coding accuracy.
Example Scenario
A licensed clinical social worker conducts a family psychotherapy session involving a teenage patient and both parents.
Treatment Focus
- Communication difficulties
- Behavioral concerns
- Treatment adherence
- Family conflict resolution
Claim Example
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| CPT Code | 90847 |
| Diagnosis | Behavioral Health Diagnosis |
| Provider | LCSW |
| Service Type | Family Psychotherapy With Patient Present |
Because the patient actively participated during the family therapy session, CPT 90847 appropriately reflects the service provided.
Common Billing Mistakes
Behavioral health organizations frequently encounter denials because of preventable coding errors.
Billing CPT 90847 When the Patient Was Not Present
One of the most common mistakes involves using CPT 90847 when the patient did not participate.
In these situations, CPT 90846 may be more appropriate.
Documentation should clearly establish patient participation.
Missing Documentation
Incomplete notes often fail to support:
- Medical necessity
- Family involvement
- Treatment goals
- Therapeutic interventions
As a result, claims may be denied during review.
Incorrect Telehealth Reporting
Telehealth billing errors may include:
- Missing Modifier 95
- Incorrect POS codes
- Incomplete telehealth documentation
These issues frequently delay reimbursement.
Failure to Verify Benefits
Behavioral health benefits vary significantly among payers.
Consequently, eligibility verification should occur before treatment begins.
Denial Prevention Strategies
Strong billing workflows help reduce claim denials and improve reimbursement performance.
Verify Coverage Before the Visit
Confirm:
✓ Active coverage
✓ Behavioral health benefits
✓ Telehealth eligibility
✓ Authorization requirements
✓ Family therapy coverage
This process helps identify issues before services are rendered.
Maintain Comprehensive Documentation
Documentation should support:
- Patient participation
- Family participation
- Medical necessity
- Treatment goals
- Interventions performed
- Progress toward treatment objectives
Strong documentation remains one of the most effective denial prevention strategies.
Conduct Internal Audits
Routine audits help identify:
- Coding inconsistencies
- Missing documentation
- Telehealth compliance issues
- Reimbursement risks
As a result, practices can improve billing accuracy and reduce future denials.
Educate Providers and Staff
Behavioral health billing requirements continue to evolve.
Ongoing training helps providers and billing teams remain compliant while improving claim accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is CPT 90847?
A. CPT 90847 is a family psychotherapy code used when the patient participates in the therapy session along with one or more family members. The service focuses on improving family dynamics, communication, treatment adherence, and behavioral health outcomes.
Q. What is the official CPT 90847 description?
A. The official CPT 90847 description is Family Psychotherapy (Conjoint Psychotherapy) With the Patient Present. Providers use this code when therapeutic interventions involve both the patient and family members during the session.
Q. What is the difference between CPT 90846 and CPT 90847?
A. The primary difference is patient participation. Use CPT 90847 when the patient attends the family therapy session. Use CPT 90846 when only family members participate.
Q. Does CPT 90847 have a time requirement?
A. Unlike psychotherapy codes such as CPT 90832, CPT 90834, and CPT 90837, CPT 90847 does not have a strict CPT-defined time range. However, family psychotherapy sessions commonly last approximately 50 minutes, and providers should document session duration.
Q. Who can bill CPT Code 90847?
A. Qualified behavioral health professionals may bill CPT 90847, including: Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs), and Marriage and Family Therapists (where allowed). Provider eligibility depends on payer and state requirements.
Q. Can CPT 90847 be billed through telehealth?
A. Yes. Many payers allow telehealth billing for CPT 90847 when providers meet telehealth requirements and use the appropriate modifiers and place of service codes.
Q. Does CPT 90847 require Modifier 95?
A. Many telehealth claims require Modifier 95 to indicate that services were provided through real-time audio and video communication technology. Providers should always verify payer-specific billing guidelines.
Q. What documentation is required for Family Psychotherapy CPT Code 90847?
A. Documentation should include: Patient participation, Family members present, Medical necessity, Clinical issues addressed, Therapeutic interventions, Treatment goals, Progress toward goals and Follow-up plans. Strong documentation supports reimbursement and compliance.
Q. Why are CPT 90847 claims denied?
A. Common denial reasons include: Failure to document patient participation, Incorrect code selection, Missing telehealth modifiers, Incomplete documentation, Eligibility issues, Authorization requirements, and Incorrect place of service reporting.
Q. Can CPT 90847 and individual psychotherapy be billed on the same day?
A. In certain circumstances, providers may report family psychotherapy and individual psychotherapy services on the same date of service when documentation supports separate and distinct medically necessary services. However, providers should review payer-specific billing rules before submitting claims.
Conclusion
CPT 90847 plays an important role in behavioral health treatment by allowing providers to report family psychotherapy sessions that involve both the patient and family members. Because family relationships often influence treatment outcomes, this service helps providers address communication challenges, behavioral concerns, treatment barriers, and support systems that affect patient progress.
Furthermore, understanding the differences between CPT 90847 and CPT 90846 helps reduce coding errors and improve reimbursement accuracy. Providers should also maintain comprehensive documentation, verify telehealth requirements, and support medical necessity to minimize claim denials.
As behavioral health services continue to expand, accurate reporting of Family Psychotherapy CPT Code 90847 helps organizations strengthen compliance, improve claim acceptance rates, and optimize revenue cycle performance.
