CPT Code 90853: Group psychotherapy

When to Use CPT 90853

Use CPT code 90853 when billing for group psychotherapy. This code is used by licensed therapists (LCSW, LPC, MFT, Psychologist) for outpatient sessions.

Adding CPT 90853 to a Superbill

When generating a superbill with CPT 90853, 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 90853:

Documentation Requirements

Document the number of participants, group topic, and each patient individual response. Note individual progress toward treatment goals.

Common Denial Reasons

• ✗ Incorrect participant count — too few patients for group designation
• ✗ Individual patient note missing from the group session record
• ✗ Billed at individual therapy rate rather than group rate

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

Reimbursement Expectations

OON reimbursement typically 40-60% of UCR. Expect $25-$60 per patient per session.