As demand for mental health services continues to grow, understanding and applying the correct psychiatric billing codes is essential to running a successful and compliant practice. These codes—whether CPT for procedures or ICD-10 for diagnoses—form the foundation of accurate billing, clean claims, and timely reimbursements.
At Reenix Excellence, we empower psychiatric and behavioral health providers with billing expertise that reduces denials, boosts cash flow, and keeps your practice audit-ready. In this guide, we outline the most essential CPT and ICD-10 codes that your psychiatric billing team should be using for optimized results.
Why Accurate Psychiatric Billing Matters?
Psychiatric billing isn’t just about submitting claims. It’s about translating complex mental health services into billable, compliant codes that payers accept. Inaccurate coding can lead to:
- Claim denials and delayed payments
- Compliance risks during audits
- Rework and administrative overload
- Revenue loss for mental health clinics
Whether you’re billing for psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluations, or medication management, correct use of CPT and ICD-10 codes is vital to success.
Top CPT Codes Used in Psychiatric Billing
Used during a patient’s initial mental health assessment. This code covers evaluation and diagnosis but does not include prescribing medications.
1. 90791 – Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation (No Medical Services)
Ideal for: Licensed psychologists, therapists, clinical social workers
2. 90792 – Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation with Medical Services
Used when a provider (like a psychiatrist) also evaluates the need for medication or medical interventions.
Ideal for: Psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners
3. 90832 – Psychotherapy, 30 Minutes
Covers 16–37 minutes of individual psychotherapy. Often used for brief sessions or follow-up visits.
4. 90834 – Psychotherapy, 45 Minutes
The most frequently used CPT code in outpatient mental health billing.
Duration: 38–52 minutes
Used by: Therapists, counselors, psychologists
5. 90837 – Psychotherapy, 60 Minutes
Used when a session lasts 53 minutes or longer. Requires solid documentation for medical necessity.
Pro Tip from Reenix Excellence: Some payers scrutinize this code. Ensure your notes justify the extended session time.
6. 90846 & 90847 – Family Therapy
- 90846: Without the patient present
- 90847: With the patient present
Great for family-based interventions or relationship-focused therapy.
7. 90853 – Group Psychotherapy
For group sessions led by a licensed clinician. Often used in IOPs (Intensive Outpatient Programs) and support groups.
8. 99213 / 99214 – Evaluation and Management (E/M) Visits
Used when medication management or medical decision-making occurs alongside therapy.
Common in: Psychiatry, dual-diagnosis treatment centers
Important: Code based on complexity and time spent
Most Common ICD-10 Codes in Psychiatric Billing
ICD-10 codes justify the medical necessity of each service. The wrong diagnosis code = delayed or denied claims. Below are the most-used ICD-10 codes in behavioral health:
F32.0 – Major Depressive Disorder, Mild
For patients with a single episode of mild depression.
F33.1 – Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Moderate
Used when depression is recurrent and moderately severe. Often paired with psychotherapy or medication management codes.
F41.1 – Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
One of the most common behavioral health diagnoses in outpatient settings.
F90.0 – ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive
Used in pediatric and adolescent psychiatry. Supports medication management and behavioral therapy claims.
F43.10 – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Unspecified
For individuals experiencing symptoms following trauma. Common in veterans and abuse survivors.
F84.0 – Autism Spectrum Disorder
Requires comprehensive therapy documentation, especially for ABA and behavioral therapy services.
F50.9 – Eating Disorder, Unspecified
Used in both psychiatric and primary care behavioral settings. Often supports multidisciplinary treatment plans.
Z63.0 – Problems in Relationship with Spouse or Partner
Often billed alongside family or couples therapy.
FAQ:
Reenix Excellence understands the growing impact of voice search in healthcare. Here are quick answers tailored for users searching by voice:
1. What is CPT code 90791 used for?
It’s used for an initial psychiatric evaluation without medical services or medication.
2. What ICD-10 code should I use for depression?
Use F32.0 for mild, single-episode depression or F33.1 for recurrent moderate depression.
3. Which CPT code is best for a 45-minute therapy session?
Use 90834 for individual psychotherapy lasting 38–52 minutes.
4. Can I bill 90837 every session?
Yes, but only if documentation clearly supports sessions over 53 minutes. Payers may audit frequent use.
How Reenix Excellence Supports Accurate Psychiatric Billing?
With the complexity of psychiatric billing, many practices lose revenue to coding errors and outdated billing workflows. Reenix Excellence offers specialized services designed to ensure that your psychiatric billing codes are:
- Correct
- Compliant
- Audit-ready
- Optimized for maximum reimbursement
Our services include:
- CPT & ICD-10 code auditing
- Insurance claim management
- Denial and appeal handling
- HIPAA-compliant billing processes
- Monthly reporting and revenue tracking
Why Choose Reenix Excellence for Psychiatric Billing?
At Reenix Excellence, we know the behavioral health billing landscape inside and out. Whether you’re an individual therapist, psychiatric group practice, or mental health facility, we bring:
- Deep knowledge of psychiatric billing codes
- Experience with complex cases, from ADHD to trauma therapy
- Fast turnaround times and claim accuracy above 98%
- Transparent reporting and expert guidance
We don’t just bill—we ensure you thrive financially, compliantly, and confidently.
Take Control of Your Psychiatric Billing Today
Are incorrect psychiatric billing codes costing your practice time and money?
Let Reenix Excellence help you take control of your revenue cycle. From initial patient visits to complex therapy sessions, we ensure every code is accurate, timely, and reimbursable.
Schedule a free consultation
Conclusion:
Using accurate psychiatric billing codes is more than just an administrative task—it’s key to a successful, compliant, and financially healthy practice. Don’t leave revenue on the table.
Trust Reenix Excellence to be your partner in smarter billing for mental health services.
References:
- American Medical Association (AMA). CPT® (Current Procedural Terminology) code set and updates.
https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/cpt
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). ICD-10 Coding and Billing Guidelines.
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Evaluation and Management Services Guide.
https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNProducts
- AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders). CPT and ICD-10 coding insights for behavioral health.
https://www.aapc.com/blog/
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