CPT code 90847 covers family psychotherapy sessions where the identified patient is present. It is the standard code for joint family sessions and carries a higher typical fee than individual therapy codes.
What CPT 90847 Covers
90847 is billed for a family therapy session of 50 minutes or more in which the identified patient (the person whose insurance is being billed) participates directly. The session focuses on family dynamics, communication, and relational patterns rather than individual symptom treatment.
90847 vs 90846: The Critical Difference
The two family therapy CPT codes differ on a single point — patient presence:
- 90847 — Family psychotherapy with the patient present. Use when the identified client attends the session.
- 90846 — Family psychotherapy without the patient present. Use for parent sessions, caregiver consultations, or sessions held specifically to support family members when the identified patient is not in the room.
Billing the wrong code is a common error. If the patient joins for part of the session and leaves, document exactly how many minutes they were present and which code reflects the majority of the session's focus.
Who Counts as "Family"
Payers generally interpret "family" broadly. The following individuals can participate in a 90847 session:
- Spouses and domestic partners
- Parents, stepparents, or guardians
- Adult children or siblings
- Any person in a significant caregiving or support role
The session does not need to include every family member — it needs at least one family member plus the identified patient.
Typical Fee and Reimbursement
Private-pay fees for 90847 typically range from $125 to $200 per session. Out-of-network reimbursement follows the patient's plan and UCR rate for family therapy. Some plans reimburse 90847 at a higher rate than individual therapy codes; others reimburse them at parity. Medicare's 2025 national rate is approximately $130.
Documentation Requirements
A solid 90847 note includes:
- Names of all session participants (first names or initials for non-patients)
- Confirmation that the identified patient was present
- Session duration
- Presenting issue or family system concern addressed
- Interventions used (e.g., structural family therapy, Gottman methods)
- Family response and plan for next session
Including 90847 on a Superbill
The superbill is issued in the identified patient's name, with their insurance information, even though other family members attended. List CPT 90847, the ICD-10 diagnosis code for the identified patient, and the session date and fee. Superbilled generates a compliant superbill for family sessions the same way it does for individual sessions.