Psychotherapy and Psychiatric CPT Codes (Non-E/M): Time Ranges and Documentation
CPT codes for psychotherapists and psychiatrists that are not E/M visits, with the time range for each code and what the note has to show. Checked against CMS.gov on 9/29/26.
Get My Free ConsultationIn this guide
- ✓ Evaluation, individual, crisis, family and group codes
- ✓ Testing, screening and other procedures
- ✓ Time range for every timed code
- ✓ The start-and-end-time documentation rule
- ✓ Psychotherapist and psychiatrist notes
What are non-E/M CPT codes?
CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) is the code set the American Medical Association publishes. Non-E/M codes describe a specific procedure instead of a general office visit. E/M (evaluation and management) codes, such as 99213–99215, are the office-visit codes psychiatrists use for medication management. Psychotherapists bill almost entirely from the non-E/M list below. Psychiatrists use it too, and add psychotherapy codes to an E/M visit (see E/M & Home-Visit codes).
The one documentation rule for every timed code: record the date of service and the start and end time of the service. CMS contractor guidance accepts start and stop times or total time and requires it for 90832, 90834 and 90837. We recommend start and end times every time, because they are the easiest thing to defend in an audit. Full documentation checklist.
Psychotherapists
Your core list: 90791, 90832, 90834, 90837, crisis 90839/+90840, family and group 90846–90853, plus +90785 when it applies. Testing and screening codes apply if you offer those services.
Psychiatrists
You bill 90792 for the evaluation, an E/M for medication visits, and psychotherapy add-ons (+90833, +90836, +90838) with the E/M. Crisis, testing and procedure codes below apply too. The add-ons live in the E/M section.
Non-E/M CPT codes with time ranges
Jump to a group, then read the time range and the documentation column together. Labels show where each time range comes from.
- Diagnostic evaluation
- Individual psychotherapy
- Crisis psychotherapy
- Family and group psychotherapy
- Add-on code
- Testing and assessment
- Screening and brief intervention
- Other psychiatric procedures and health behavior codes
Diagnostic evaluation CPT codes
Start here for a new patient. These are evaluations, not therapy.
| Code | Service | Time range | Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90791 | Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation (no medical services)Psychotherapists and psychiatrists. Not billed with any psychotherapy code on the same date (NCCI). | No time range defined | Date of service + start and end time of the service (recommended) Frequency & documentation rules |
| 90792 | Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation (with medical services)Prescribers. No E/M on the same date (NCCI). | No time range defined | Date of service + start and end time of the service (recommended) Frequency & documentation rules |
Individual psychotherapy CPT codes
Time-based. The time on the claim is face-to-face time with the patient (a family member may be present).
| Code | Service | Time range | Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90832 | Psychotherapy, patient and/or family memberContractor article A57520 (First Coast) quotes this range. | 16–37 minutes | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| 90834 | Psychotherapy, patient and/or family memberMost commonly billed therapy code. | 38–52 minutes | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| 90837 | Psychotherapy, patient and/or family memberDraws the most audit attention. There is no 46–52 tier and no code for 75 or 90 minutes. | 53 minutes or more | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| 90845 | PsychoanalysisListed by CMS as a covered code. Confirm payer policy before scheduling. | No time range defined | Date of service + start and end time of the service (recommended) Frequency & documentation rules |
What time do I need to bill 90837? 53 minutes or more of face-to-face psychotherapy. A 50-minute session is 90834. Record the start and end time so the 53-minute minimum is visible in the note.
Crisis psychotherapy CPT codes
For an urgent, high-intensity visit. Time can be non-continuous on the same date (CMS).
| Code | Service | Time range | Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90839 | Psychotherapy for crisis, first 60 minutesRange is CPT-defined. The CMS page says 'first 60 minutes' - use the CPT range for the claim and verify with the payer. | 30–74 minutes | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| +90840 | Psychotherapy for crisis, each additional 30 minutes (add-on)Add-on: only with 90839. Record start and end time of the whole crisis service. | Use at 75+ minutes total | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| G0017 / G0018 | Psychotherapy for crisis in an applicable site of service (Medicare)Medicare-only HCPCS codes. Confirm the 'applicable site of service' rule before billing. | Time-based - confirm on CMS | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| G0560 | Safety planning interventions (Medicare)Listed in CMS MLN1986542. Confirm the unit definition on CMS before publishing. | Time-based - confirm on CMS | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
Family and group psychotherapy CPT codes
CPT and CMS set no minute range for these four codes. Some payers add their own minimum.
| Code | Service | Time range | Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90846 | Family psychotherapy, without the patient presentAsk the payer for its minimum. Record who attended. | No time range defined | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| 90847 | Family psychotherapy (conjoint), with the patient presentCan be billed with 90832–90838 on the same date only as a separate, distinct time interval (NCCI). | No time range defined | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| 90849 | Multiple-family group psychotherapyBilled per patient, per session. | No time range defined | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| 90853 | Group psychotherapy (not multiple-family), per patient+90785 can be added when medically indicated (contractor article A57480). | No time range defined | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
Add-on CPT codes
Never billed alone.
| Code | Service | Time range | Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| +90785 | Interactive complexity (add-on)Do not bill if the patient cannot communicate by any means. Not billed with crisis codes 90839/+90840. | No time - not a timed code | Date of service + what was adapted and why Frequency & documentation rules |
Testing and assessment CPT codes
Testing is usually prior-authorization driven. Check unit limits before scheduling.
| Code | Service | Time range | Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96127 | Brief emotional/behavioral assessment (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7), per instrumentUnits = number of instruments. | No time - billed per instrument | Date of service + instrument used (start and end time recommended) Frequency & documentation rules |
| 96130 | Psychological testing evaluation, first hourCPT-defined. Includes integration of data, interpretation and report. | First hour | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| +96131 | Psychological testing evaluation, each additional hourAdd-on to 96130. | Each additional hour | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| 96132 | Neuropsychological testing evaluation, first hourCPT-defined. | First hour | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| +96133 | Neuropsychological testing evaluation, each additional hourAdd-on to 96132. | Each additional hour | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| 96136 | Test administration and scoring by physician/QHP, first 30 minutesQHP = qualified health care professional. | First 30 minutes | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| +96137 | Test administration and scoring by physician/QHP, each additional 30 minutesAdd-on to 96136. | Each additional 30 minutes | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| 96138 | Test administration and scoring by technician, first 30 minutesTechnician must be supervised as the payer requires. | First 30 minutes | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| +96139 | Test administration and scoring by technician, each additional 30 minutesAdd-on to 96138. | Each additional 30 minutes | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| 96116 | Neurobehavioral status exam, first hourListed by CMS (with 96121). | First hour | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| +96121 | Neurobehavioral status exam, each additional hourAdd-on to 96116. | Each additional hour | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
Screening and brief intervention CPT codes
Mostly Medicare HCPCS G-codes. Commercial payers may want the CPT equivalent instead.
| Code | Service | Time range | Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| G0444 | Annual depression screeningCMS SBIRT fact sheet. Annual frequency limit - confirm before scheduling. | 5–15 minutes | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| G0442 | Annual alcohol misuse screeningCMS SBIRT fact sheet. | 5–15 minutes | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| G0443 | Brief face-to-face alcohol misuse counselingCMS SBIRT fact sheet. | 15 minutes | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| G2011 | Alcohol/substance misuse structured assessment and brief interventionCMS SBIRT fact sheet. | 5–14 minutes | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| G0396 | Alcohol/substance misuse structured assessment and brief interventionCMS SBIRT fact sheet. | 15–30 minutes | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| G0397 | Alcohol/substance misuse structured assessment and interventionCMS SBIRT fact sheet. | Greater than 30 minutes | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| 99408 | SBIRT, CPT equivalentCPT-defined. Not shown on the CMS fact sheet. | 15–30 minutes | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| 99409 | SBIRT, CPT equivalentCPT-defined. Not shown on the CMS fact sheet. | Greater than 30 minutes | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
Other psychiatric procedures and health behavior CPT codes
Less common. Payer rules vary more here.
| Code | Service | Time range | Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90870 | Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)Listed by CMS. Psychiatrist procedure. | No time range defined | Date of service + start and end time of the service (recommended) Frequency & documentation rules |
| 90880 | HypnotherapyListed by CMS. | No time range defined | Date of service + start and end time of the service (recommended) Frequency & documentation rules |
| 90889 | Report of patient's psychiatric status, history, treatment or progressListed by CMS. | No time range defined | Date of service + purpose of report Frequency & documentation rules |
| 90867 / 90868 / 90869 | Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): initial, subsequent, re-determinationNot found in the CMS booklet. Coverage is set by each MAC's policy and each payer - verify before billing. | No time range defined | Date of service + start and end time of the service (recommended) Frequency & documentation rules |
| 96156 | Health behavior assessment or re-assessmentListed by CMS. | No time range defined | Date of service + start and end time of the service (recommended) Frequency & documentation rules |
| 96158 / +96159 | Health behavior intervention, individualCPT-defined; listed by CMS. | First 30 minutes / each additional 15 | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| 96164 / +96165 | Health behavior intervention, groupCPT-defined; listed by CMS. | First 30 minutes / each additional 15 | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
| 96167 / +96168 | Health behavior intervention, family (with patient)CPT-defined; listed by CMS. | First 30 minutes / each additional 15 | Date of service + start and end time Frequency & documentation rules |
Six time mistakes with CPT codes that cause denials
Rounding a session up
A 50-minute session is 90834, not 90837. The time on the claim must match the note.
Missing end time
“Session: 3:00 p.m.” is not enough. Without an end time, the code cannot be supported.
Billing +90840 too early
The crisis add-on starts once the service reaches 75 minutes, not at 60.
Psychotherapy time inside an E/M visit
Psychiatrists must document the psychotherapy start and end time or total time separately from the E/M.
Assuming family therapy has a set length
90846 and 90847 have no defined minute range. Ask the payer and document the times.
Skipping the payer check
These are CPT and Medicare rules. Commercial payers and state Medicaid programs can differ. Verify with each payer.
Telehealth changes the modifier and place-of-service code on the claim, not the time range. See Modifiers & POS for current rules, and Medicaid HCPCS for state Medicaid codes. Rules vary by payer and by state.
CPT codes: frequently asked questions
What are non-E/M CPT codes in mental health billing?
Non-E/M CPT codes are procedure codes that describe a specific service instead of a general office visit. In behavioral health that means diagnostic evaluations (90791, 90792), psychotherapy (90832–90838), crisis psychotherapy (90839, +90840), family and group therapy (90846, 90847, 90849, 90853), testing and screening. E/M means evaluation and management, the office-visit codes psychiatrists use for medication management.
What are the time ranges for 90832, 90834 and 90837?
90832 is 16–37 minutes, 90834 is 38–52 minutes, and 90837 is 53 minutes or more. These are face-to-face minutes with the patient, and a family member may be present. There is no code for 75 or 90 minutes, and a session under 16 minutes is not billable as psychotherapy. The ranges are quoted in a Medicare contractor billing article on CMS.gov.
How do I bill crisis psychotherapy (90839 and +90840)?
Bill 90839 for the first crisis block, which CPT defines as 30–74 minutes. Add +90840 for each additional 30 minutes once the service reaches 75 minutes. CMS says the time does not have to be continuous, and these codes are not billed with 90791, 90792, 90785–90899 or 90832–90838. CMS words 90839 as the “first 60 minutes,” so confirm the payer's exact threshold.
What is the difference between 90846 and 90847?
90846 is family psychotherapy without the patient present. 90847 is family psychotherapy with the patient present. Neither CPT nor CMS sets a minute range for either code, so ask each payer for its minimum and record start and end times anyway. Under Medicare's NCCI policy manual, family therapy can be reported with 90832–90838 on the same date only as a separate, distinct time interval.
What do I have to document for a timed code?
Record the date of service and the start and end time of the service. CMS contractor guidance says time may be documented as start and stop times or as total time, and requires it for 90832, 90834 and 90837. MCM South recommends start and end times for every timed code because they hold up best in an audit. See our frequency and documentation guide for the full checklist.
Where these CPT code ranges come from
- CMS, Medicare & Mental Health Coverage (MLN1986542, March 2026) — covered code list
- CMS Medicare Coverage Database, Article A57520 (First Coast Service Options) — 90832/90834/90837 ranges and start/stop rule. Medicare contractor rule for FL, PR and USVI; other contractors publish their own articles
- CMS, Psychotherapy for Crisis (90839, 90840)
- CMS, SBIRT Services fact sheet (MLN904084, May 2025) — screening code time ranges
- CMS, NCCI Medicare Policy Manual, Chapter XI (1/1/2026) — same-day combination rules
Current as of last search (9/29/26). Reconfirm before publishing. For quick reference only: verify against the current AMA CPT manual and each payer's policy before billing. This is operational billing guidance, not legal advice.
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