CPT 90832Mental Health

Psytx w pt 30 minutes

CPT code 90832 is used for a 30-minute psychotherapy session between a mental health provider and patient, focused on treating mental health conditions through talk therapy.

Showing rates for

National Average

Base Medicare rate

$78.93

This calculator gives a typical-case estimate using standard Medicare modifier rules. Actual payment depends on payer policies, documentation, code-specific CMS status indicators, and locality. Verify before billing.

RVU breakdown

Work RVU

1.86

PE RVU (NF)

0.54

MP RVU

0.04

Total RVU

2.44

Conversion factor: 32.3465 · Source: CMS MPFS RVU25A · Confidence: High

NCCI bundling edits

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Billing tips

Document exact start and stop times in the clinical note to substantiate the 30-minute duration
Impact: Prevents denials due to insufficient time documentation; audits without time documentation can result in 100% recoupment of $78.93 per service
Bill 90832 only when session duration is 16-37 minutes; sessions 38-52 minutes should be billed as 90834
Impact: Undercoding 40-minute sessions as 90832 loses approximately $39 per session ($118.24 for 90834 vs $78.93 for 90832)
For telehealth services, verify payer accepts modifier 95 and that place of service code is correct (typically POS 02 for telehealth or POS 10 for certain plans)
Impact: Incorrect POS code is a top denial reason, delaying payment by 30-60 days on average
Document medical necessity with specific treatment goals, interventions used, and patient progress toward goals in each session note
Impact: Medical necessity audits can result in recoupment of all payments; average audit reviews 20-30 claims, potentially $1,578-$2,368 at risk
Verify patient has active mental health diagnosis on file before each session; do not bill 90832 for supportive counseling without a psychiatric diagnosis
Impact: Claims without qualifying diagnosis codes (F-codes or other psychiatric diagnoses) will deny; resubmission delays payment 30+ days
For Medicare patients, ensure you bill non-facility rate ($78.93) when service is provided in office or via telehealth, and facility rate ($68.90) only when provided in hospital or facility setting
Impact: Incorrect facility designation results in $10.03 per-session underpayment

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Frequently asked questions

How much does Medicare pay for CPT code 90832 in 2025?

Medicare pays $78.93 for 90832 in non-facility settings (private office, telehealth) and $68.90 in facility settings (hospital outpatient) based on the 2025 national average. Actual rates may vary slightly by geographic locality.

What is the time requirement for billing 90832?

CPT 90832 requires 16-37 minutes of face-to-face psychotherapy time with the patient. Sessions under 16 minutes cannot be billed, and sessions 38 minutes or longer should be billed as 90834 (45-minute code). Exact start and stop times must be documented.

Can I bill 90832 for telehealth visits?

Yes, 90832 can be billed for telehealth psychotherapy sessions. Add modifier 95 (or GT, depending on payer) and verify the correct place of service code (typically POS 02 or POS 10). Telehealth reimbursement for 90832 is typically the same as in-person visits at $78.93 for Medicare.

What is the difference between 90832 and 90834?

90832 is for 30-minute psychotherapy (16-37 minutes) with a 2025 Medicare rate of $78.93, while 90834 is for 45-minute psychotherapy (38-52 minutes) with a higher reimbursement of approximately $118.24. The codes differ by time spent and corresponding payment.

What diagnosis codes can be used with 90832?

90832 requires a mental health diagnosis code, typically from the F-code section of ICD-10 (F01-F99), including depression (F32.x, F33.x), anxiety disorders (F41.x), PTSD (F43.1), adjustment disorders (F43.2x), and other psychiatric conditions requiring psychotherapy treatment.

How many RVUs is CPT code 90832 worth?

CPT 90832 has 2.44 total RVUs for 2025, consisting of 1.86 work RVUs, 0.54 practice expense RVUs (non-facility), and 0.04 malpractice RVUs. The facility PE RVU is 0.23, resulting in different total RVUs in facility settings.

Can 90832 be billed twice on the same day?

Billing 90832 twice on the same day is rarely appropriate and requires exceptional documentation of medical necessity, such as a crisis situation. Use modifier 76 and provide clear documentation explaining why two separate sessions were medically necessary. Most payers will deny or require prior authorization.