CPT 90832 is a 30-minute individual psychotherapy session (16 to 37 minutes under the billing rules) with a psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed therapist or social worker. It is the shortest standard therapy session, often used for brief follow-ups or combined with medication management.

What the price covers

The session itself. When a hospital lists this code, it is the price at a hospital-owned behavioral health clinic, which may include a facility fee. Medication management by a psychiatrist in the same visit is a separate code.

Session lengths

90832: 30 minutes (this page)
90834: 45 minutes
90837: 60 minutes

Most weekly therapy is billed as 90834 or 90837.

Why prices vary

Hospital-based therapy is usually more expensive than private practice because of facility fees. Many therapists in private practice offer sliding-scale cash rates that undercut hospital prices substantially; community mental health centers charge by income.

Questions to ask

What is the self-pay price for 90832, and is there a facility fee?
Is a sliding scale available?
Will medication management be billed separately?

Psychotherapy, 30 minutes near you