CPT Code 90846: Family psychotherapy without patient present

When to Use CPT 90846

Use CPT code 90846 when billing for family psychotherapy without patient present. This code is used by licensed therapists (LCSW, LPC, MFT, Psychologist) for outpatient sessions.

Adding CPT 90846 to a Superbill

When generating a superbill with CPT 90846, 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 90846:

Documentation Requirements

Document who attended, the identified patient, and the clinical rationale for patient absence. Note how the session relates to the patient treatment plan.

Common Denial Reasons

• ✗ Patient identified in the claim was present — should use 90847 instead
• ✗ Missing documentation of clinical rationale for patient absence
• ✗ Diagnosis code does not support family therapy modality

Got one of these on a remittance? Decode the denial code.

Reimbursement Expectations

OON reimbursement typically 50-65% of UCR. Expect $50-$130 from commercial insurers.