CPT Code 90832 Guide for Mental Health Professionals

CPT Code 90832 represents a 30-minute individual psychotherapy session with a licensed mental health provider. This code is used for in-person sessions involving diagnosis, assessment, and therapeutic interventions.

Key Considerations

Time Frame: Applicable for sessions between 16 and 37 minutes.
Eligibility: Used by various mental health professionals, including therapists, counselors, and psychologists.
Documentation: Accurate session documentation is crucial for proper billing and reimbursement.
Reimbursement: Rates vary significantly based on factors like insurance plan, location, and provider credentials.

Medicare/Medicaid: Both Medicare and Medicaid generally cover CPT Code 90832, but state-specific rules and regulations apply.

When to Use CPT Code 90832

This code is billed for psychotherapy sessions lasting 16–37 minutes. For longer sessions:

38–52 minutes: Use CPT Code 90834
53 minutes or more: Use CPT Code 90837

Who Uses CPT Code 90832?

Mental health providers, medical billers, and coders use this code for insurance claims related to outpatient psychotherapy services.

CPT codes, including 90832, are developed and maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA).

Key Documentation Requirements

To ensure compliance, documentation must include:

Patient details
Session focus and interventions
Progress toward therapeutic goals

Reimbursement Insights

Reimbursement rates for CPT Code 90832 vary based on factors such as location, provider license type, and insurance plan. Medicare’s 2025 reimbursement rate for 90832 is approximately $75.52, while Medicaid rates depend on state-specific guidelines.

Comparison of CPT Codes

90832: 16–37 minutes
90834: 38–52 minutes
90837: 53 minutes or longer

Does CPT Code 90832 Require Authorization?

In most cases, CPT Code 90832 doesn’t require special authorization, but there are exceptions. Some insurance providers or Medicaid programs may require pre-authorization. It’s always a good idea to double-check with your insurance company or billing service.

Authorization: Generally, CPT Code 90832 does not require prior authorization.
Billing Tips: Therapists should ensure accuracy when submitting claims and may include add-on codes like 90833 for eligible Evaluation & Management (E/M) services.

How Often is CPT Code 90832 Billed?

While CPT Code 90832 is an option for shorter sessions, it’s not the most commonly billed code. Most therapists prefer longer sessions and therefore bill for 90834 or 90837 more frequently.

Why Choose Professional Billing Services?

Navigating mental health billing can be complex. Joining with an experienced medical billing company ensures precise coding, reduced claim denials, and optimized reimbursement rates.

If you have any questions or need help with your billing process, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help simplify the billing process for mental health providers.

If you’re a provider seeking seamless billing for psychotherapy sessions, consider outsourcing to a trusted billing company like Express MBS to save time and maximize your revenue.

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