CPT Code Guide for Mental Health Services in 2013
Below is a reference table we have created to help explain the CPT code transitions for Diagnostic, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy with Evaluation and Monitoring, Crisis, Family and Group CPT Codes and Psychiatric Pharmacologic Management CPT Codes.
Chart Legend
Deleted / Invalid Code& Valid 2013 Code- Dotted UnderlineHover over for additional information. – Hover for information.
- (+) – Plus denotes code is not billed alone, but done so as add-on to another appropriate code.
Diagnostic CPT Codes
| Diagnostic Interview | 2012 Code | Diagnostic Evaluation | 2013 Code | Report with (90875) |
| Diagnostic interview examination | Diagnostic evaluation (no medical) |
90791This code is used for non-medical intake services. Documentation requirements are the same as for the 90801. | When appropriate | |
| Diagnostic evaluation with medical |
90792Use this code or the corresponding E/M new patient service code if medical services are also being provided | |||
| Interactive diagnostic interview examination Interactive is defined as emotions or behaviors by the patient or necessary family/caregivers that complicate information gathering or treatment planning, or the requirement of reporting and discussing a sentinel event, or the use of equipment needed to obtain necessary information and provide adequate treatment planning. | Diagnostic evaluation (no medical) |
90791This code is used for non-medical intake services. Documentation requirements are the same as for the 90801. | Yes | |
| Diagnostic evaluation with medical |
90792Use this code or the corresponding E/M new patient service code if medical services are also being provided |
Psychotherapy CPT Codes
Psychotherapy Codes are no longer location specific. These are the same codes for any location from which they are performed.
| Individual Psychotherapy | 2012 Code | Psychotherapy (Time)Time is now defined following CPT rules of a midpoint. The midpoint to a code time or between two similar codes is the time used to determine which code is billed. The time ranges are those midpoint times. | 2013 Code | Report with (90875) |
| 20-30 min | 30 (16-37) min | 90832 | When appropriate | |
| 45-50 min | 45 (38-52) min | 90834 | ||
| 75-80 min | 60 (53+) min | 90837 |
| Interactive Individual Psychotherapy | 2012 Code | Psychotherapy | 2013 Code | Report with (90875) |
| 20-30 min | 30 (16-37) min | 90832 | Yes | |
| 45-50 min | 45 (38-52) min | 90834 | ||
| 75-80 min | 60 (53+) min | 90837 |
Psychotherapy with Evaluation and Monitoring CPT Codes
| Individual Psychotherapy with E/M | 2012 Code | Service | 2013 Code | Report with (90875) |
| 20-30 min | E/M plus psychotherapy add-on |
E/M code and one of:+90833, +90836, and +90838 are all corresponding add-on codes to be used by medical providers. These correspond to the therapy codes above. They are to be used following the appropriate E/M code when psychotherapy is performed. +90833 30 (16-37) min +90836 45 (38-52) min +90838 60 (53+) min |
When Appropriate | |
| 45-50 min | ||||
| 75-80 min |
| Interactive individual psychotherapy with E/M | 2012 Code | Service | 2013 Code | Report with (90875) |
| 20-30 min | E/M plus psychotherapy add-on |
E/M code and one of:+90833, +90836, and +90838 are all corresponding add-on codes to be used by medical providers. These correspond to the therapy codes above. They are to be used following the appropriate E/M code when psychotherapy is performed. +90833 30 (16-37) min +90836 45 (38-52) min +90838 60 (53+) min |
Yes | |
| 45-50 min | ||||
| 75-80 min |
Crisis, Family and Group CPT Codes
| Service | 2012 Code | Service | 2013 Code | Report with (90875) |
| Psychotherapy for crisis | 9083960 minutes of crisis or urgent services are performed face to face time with the patient and/or family. Used for time between 31 and 75 minutes., +90840Billed as an add-on to 90839 for every 30 minutes in addition to the first hour (90839). Range of time is 16 to 37 minutes. | No | ||
| Family psychotherapy | 90846, 90847, 90849 | Family psychotherapy | 90846, 90847, 90849 | No |
| Group psychotherapy | 90853 | Group psychotherapy | 90853 | When appropriate |
| Interactive group psychotherapy | Yes |
Psychiatric Pharmacologic Management CPT Codes
| Service | 2012 Code | Service | 2013 Code | Report with (90875) |
| Pharmacologic management | E/M | E/M code | No |
Information for this guide was modified and based on this PDF (click for download) from the American Medical Association.
CPT® five-digit codes, descriptions, and other data only are copyright 2012 by the American Medical Association (AMA). All Rights Reserved. No fee schedules, basic units, relative values or related listings are included in CPT®. CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association (AMA).
