Therapy Billing Codes
Therapy services are coded using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Specific CPT codes are used depending on the type of therapy provided (individual, family, group), the duration of the session, and the setting (e.g., outpatient, inpatient).
Common Psychotherapy CPT Codes for CBT:
90832: Psychotherapy, individual, 30 minutes
90834: Psychotherapy, individual, 45 minutes
90837: Psychotherapy, individual, 60 minutes
These codes can be used for individual CBT sessions.
Documentation Requirements
While there’s no specific template for CBT codes, proper documentation is essential for insurance reimbursement. Your notes should include:
Patient Demographics: Name, date of birth, etc.
Date of Service: Date the session occurred.
CPT Code: The specific CPT code used for the session.
Diagnosis Code: The ICD-10 code for the patient’s mental health diagnosis that the CBT session is addressing.
Brief Summary of the Session: A concise description of the CBT techniques used and the topics addressed during the session.
This should be documented in a way that protects patient privacy (HIPAA compliance).
Example Note:
Patient: John Doe
Date of Birth: 1980-01-01
Date of Service: 2024-03-24
CPT Code: 90834
Diagnosis Code: F41.1 (Social Anxiety Disorder)
Summary: This session focused on cognitive restructuring techniques to challenge negative thoughts related to public speaking. The patient identified and began to dispute unhelpful automatic thoughts associated with social anxiety.
Additional Considerations:
Always check with your insurance provider for specific billing requirements.
There may be additional documentation requirements beyond the CPT code depending on your insurance plan.
Consider using Electronic Health Records (EHR) software that streamlines therapy note creation and ensures proper coding.
By understanding therapy billing codes and documenting sessions appropriately, you can ensure proper reimbursement for your CBT services.