Psytx w pt 60 minutes

What is CPT Code 90837?

Psychotherapy, 60 minutes — an individual psychotherapy session of 53–60 minutes with a mental health professional. The standard billing code for a full hour of therapy.

The Medicare reimbursement rate shown above is the amount the federal government has determined is a reasonable payment for this service. Hospitals and providers that participate in Medicare have agreed to accept these rates from Medicare patients.

Who typically bills this:Licensed therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist (private practice or mental health clinic)

Common Billing Errors for CPT 90837

• !Billed for sessions that lasted less than 53 minutes (the minimum for 90837) — shorter sessions should be 90834
• !90837 billed alongside an E&M code by a psychiatrist without a separate add-on code (-25 or 90833)
• !Outdated CPT codes (90806, 90808) billed — these were retired in 2013

Red Flags on Your Bill

Negotiation Tips for CPT 90837

1. 1Many therapists offer a sliding scale fee — ask directly about income-based pricing
2. 2Out-of-network reimbursement for mental health must be at parity with medical/surgical benefits under the Mental Health Parity Act
3. 3If sessions consistently run 45–52 minutes, 90834 is the correct code — dispute billing at the 60-minute rate

Codes That Often Appear With This One

These CPT codes commonly appear on the same bill. Review each one to spot potential bundling errors or duplicate charges.

Found CPT 90837 on Your Bill?

If you see CPT code 90837 on a hospital or medical bill, compare the charged amount to the Medicare rate above. If your bill shows a significantly higher charge, you may have grounds to negotiate.

1. Note the amount charged for CPT 90837 on your itemized bill
2. Compare it to the Medicare rate above — calculate the markup
3. Call the billing department and use the Medicare rate as your anchor:“I see CPT code 90837 billed at [amount]. The Medicare rate for this procedure is $156.61. I'd like to discuss a fair adjustment.”