CPT® code 90834 is used to report individual psychotherapy sessions lasting approximately 45 minutes with a focus on improving a patient’s mental health and emotional functioning. This service must be provided face-to-face (in person or via telehealth) by a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, licensed clinical social worker, or other qualified provider.
Key facts about CPT® code 90834
- Service type: Psychotherapy, individual
- Time requirement: Approximately 45 minutes (38–52 minutes is acceptable)
- Format: Face-to-face (in-person or telehealth)
- Patient type: New or established
- Typical provider: Psychologist, psychiatrist, LCSW, LMFT, LPC, or other licensed mental health provider
- Primary focus: Mental health assessment, therapeutic intervention, and support
When to use CPT® 90834
CPT® 90834 is appropriate when:
- A provider conducts a structured psychotherapy session with a patient for roughly 45 minutes
- The focus is on treatment of mental health disorders, emotional difficulties, or behavioral challenges
- The service involves evidence-based interventions such as CBT, DBT, psychodynamic therapy, trauma-informed therapy, or other accepted modalities
- No significant evaluation and management (E/M) services are provided during the same encounter (if E/M is provided, consider 90836 or 90838)
This code is often part of an ongoing treatment plan involving regular sessions to assess progress, address current challenges, and reinforce coping strategies.
Clinical examples of CPT® 90834
CPT® 90834 is commonly used in treatment plans for:
- Generalized anxiety disorder with a focus on cognitive restructuring and relaxation training
- Major depressive disorder using behavioral activation and emotional processing techniques
- PTSD with trauma-focused therapy in a structured, weekly format
- Adolescent behavioral concerns, such as school avoidance or social withdrawal
- Adjustment disorders, grief, and life transitions requiring short- to medium-term therapy
Sessions typically include therapeutic dialogue, skills-building, reflection, and assignment of therapeutic “homework.”
Documentation requirements
To bill CPT® 90834 accurately and compliantly, documentation should include:
- Session date, duration, and start/end time (confirming 38–52 minutes of therapy)
- Patient’s current symptoms, mental status, and treatment goals
- Therapeutic techniques or modalities used during the session
- Patient’s response to intervention, participation level, and any changes to the treatment plan
- Plan for next steps or follow-up
It’s important to avoid combining this code with E/M unless clearly separated and supported.
Payer and coding considerations
CPT® 90834 is one of the most commonly reimbursed codes for mental health services and is recognized by Medicare, Medicaid, and nearly all commercial insurers. It is approved for telehealth delivery, especially when conducted via secure video.
Some payers may require:
- Prior authorization for ongoing therapy
- Periodic treatment plan updates or reauthorization
- Use of standardized progress tracking tools (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7)
Always check with individual payers for coverage policies and documentation requirements.
How OptiMantra supports billing and documentation for 90834
For therapists, psychiatrists, and integrative providers delivering psychotherapy, OptiMantra makes it easy to document and bill CPT® 90834 with confidence. The platform is designed to support both solo clinicians and multidisciplinary practices with features including:
- Time-tracked visit documentation that supports 90834’s timing guidelines
- Customizable therapy note templates for different modalities and conditions
- Built-in ICD-10 mapping and CPT® code prompts for accurate claim generation
- Telehealth integration with compliant video tools and seamless documentation
- Tools for tracking progress, outcomes, and session frequency across care plans
Whether you’re managing a high-volume therapy caseload or offering psychotherapy alongside integrative services, OptiMantra helps ensure that 90834 visits are fully documented, easily billed, and reimbursed appropriately.
Try OptiMantra for free here!
