CPT Code 90838: Psychotherapy add-on, 60 min (with E/M)

When to Use CPT 90838

Use CPT code 90838 when billing for psychotherapy add-on, 60 min (with e/m). This code is used by licensed therapists (LCSW, LPC, MFT, Psychologist) for outpatient sessions.

Adding CPT 90838 to a Superbill

When generating a superbill with CPT 90838, 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 90838:

Documentation Requirements

Therapy portion must be 53+ minutes, documented separately from E/M time. Include distinct start/stop times for each component.

Common Denial Reasons

• ✗ No accompanying E/M service on the same date
• ✗ Therapy time under 53 minutes
• ✗ Documentation does not clearly separate E/M and psychotherapy services

Modifier Notes

Add-on code only — must be billed with a primary E/M code (99202-99215).

Reimbursement Expectations

OON reimbursement typically 50-65% of UCR. Expect $60-$130 when paired with an E/M visit.