CPT Code 90833: Psychotherapy add-on, 30 min (with E/M)

When to Use CPT 90833

Use CPT code 90833 when billing for psychotherapy add-on, 30 min (with e/m). This code is used by licensed therapists (LCSW, LPC, MFT, Psychologist) for outpatient sessions.

Adding CPT 90833 to a Superbill

When generating a superbill with CPT 90833, include the ICD-10 diagnosis code, date of service, fee charged, amount paid, and your NPI number. Superbilled pre-fills common therapy CPT codes automatically.

Common ICD-10 Pairings

These diagnosis codes are frequently used alongside CPT 90833:

Documentation Requirements

Document psychotherapy time separately from E/M time. Clearly note start and stop times for the therapy portion.

Common Denial Reasons

• ✗ Billed without a qualifying E/M service on the same date
• ✗ Time documentation does not support the 16-37 minute psychotherapy range
• ✗ Missing primary diagnosis code

Modifier Notes

This is an add-on code — always bill with a primary E/M code (99202-99215). Do not use modifier 25 on this code.

Reimbursement Expectations

OON reimbursement is typically 50-65% of UCR. Expect $30-$65 when billed alongside an E/M code.