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?