CPT code 90834: Psychotherapy session, 45 minutes, without E/M2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Metropolitan Kansas City, MO
Report this individual psychotherapy service for 38 to 52 minutes with the patient when the clinician does not perform E/M with the psychotherapy.
In Metropolitan Kansas City, MO, Medicare pays $112.19 for 90834 in the office and $91.49 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 90834 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 12 sections
What 90834 covers
This service is an individual psychotherapy session in which a clinician uses techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, supportive therapy, or insight-oriented work to treat a mental health or substance use condition. The patient participates for all or part of the session; a family member or caregiver may join. Clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and Medicare-enrolled marriage and family therapists or mental health counselors provide it in offices, outpatient clinics, and eligible telehealth encounters.
Select 90834 using psychotherapy time: 38 through 52 minutes. Use 90832 for 16 through 37 minutes and 90837 for 53 minutes or more. Document total psychotherapy minutes or start and stop times, the therapeutic approach, clinical focus, patient response, and progress toward treatment goals. Exclude time spent on E/M activities or testing. If the same clinician performs a separately identifiable E/M service with psychotherapy, report the appropriate psychotherapy add-on instead; for 38 through 52 minutes, that is 90836. Interactive complexity add-on 90785 may accompany 90834 when its qualifying communication factors are documented.
This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.
Billing guides for 90834: 90834 vs 90837 · 90832 vs 90834 · Psychotherapy CPT codes · Mental health billing
How Metropolitan Kansas City, MO compares for 90834
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 90834 runs from $109.66 in Arkansas to $158.15 in Alaska. Metropolitan Kansas City, MO pays $112.19. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Metropolitan Kansas City, MO · this page$112.19
- Metropolitan St. Louis, MO · Missouri$112.57+$0.38
- Rest of Missouri · Missouri$110.05−$2.14
- Los Angeles, CA · California$122.25+$10.06
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$123.52+$11.33
- Miami, FL · Florida$116.06+$3.87
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$115.50+$3.31
Other areas in Missouri first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan, NYNew York | $124.25 | $98.64 |
| AlaskaAlaska | $158.15 | $134.67 |
| AlabamaAlabama | $110.14 | $90.85 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $109.66 | $90.73 |
| ArizonaArizona | $112.94 | $91.58 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $117.92 | $93.76 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $117.70 | $93.54 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $117.71 | $93.54 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $117.70 | $93.54 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $117.70 | $93.54 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $117.70 | $93.54 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $117.70 | $93.54 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $117.70 | $93.54 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $127.77 | $98.72 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $121.08 | $95.03 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $117.70 | $93.54 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $117.70 | $93.54 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $118.00 | $93.84 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $121.18 | $95.55 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $120.65 | $95.10 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $121.59 | $95.22 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $133.03 | $101.94 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $133.00 | $101.92 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $135.25 | $103.46 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $135.15 | $103.37 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $118.89 | $93.79 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $121.34 | $94.56 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $120.58 | $94.88 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $122.47 | $95.40 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $117.70 | $93.54 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $127.74 | $98.68 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $117.70 | $93.54 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $117.70 | $93.54 |
| ColoradoColorado | $116.55 | $93.10 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $117.88 | $94.14 |
| DelawareDelaware | $113.92 | $92.14 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $114.80 | $92.47 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $113.01 | $91.94 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $114.73 | $92.33 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $111.03 | $91.37 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $117.41 | $92.35 |
| IowaIowa | $111.14 | $90.97 |
| IdahoIdaho | $111.33 | $91.05 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $112.36 | $92.08 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $111.86 | $91.73 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $115.76 | $93.12 |
| IndianaIndiana | $111.53 | $91.09 |
| KansasKansas | $110.90 | $90.98 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $110.76 | $91.17 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $112.35 | $91.61 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $110.68 | $91.17 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $122.71 | $96.39 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $116.60 | $93.39 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $117.45 | $93.79 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $115.03 | $92.72 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $111.43 | $91.15 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $113.40 | $91.55 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $113.39 | $92.11 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $111.57 | $91.44 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $114.23 | $91.55 |
| MississippiMississippi | $109.87 | $90.89 |
| MontanaMontana | $113.90 | $91.85 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $111.80 | $91.23 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $113.50 | $91.46 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $111.35 | $91.00 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $114.95 | $92.00 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $123.77 | $98.19 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $119.93 | $95.86 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $111.73 | $91.52 |
| NevadaNevada | $113.81 | $91.75 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $125.18 | $98.97 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $120.52 | $96.38 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $124.71 | $98.65 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $112.31 | $91.37 |
| OhioOhio | $111.49 | $91.36 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $110.78 | $91.10 |
| Portland, OROregon | $118.17 | $93.68 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $113.59 | $91.63 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $116.70 | $93.75 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $111.59 | $91.35 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $114.19 | $91.90 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $116.36 | $93.59 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $111.69 | $91.32 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $113.45 | $91.41 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $111.07 | $91.03 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $115.60 | $92.28 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $111.35 | $91.29 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $114.18 | $92.34 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $114.46 | $92.50 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $114.19 | $92.46 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $114.27 | $92.38 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $114.64 | $92.75 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $112.42 | $91.50 |
| UtahUtah | $112.17 | $91.44 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $113.23 | $91.56 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $114.19 | $91.90 |
| VermontVermont | $113.29 | $91.47 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $116.32 | $93.11 |
| King County, WAWashington | $124.34 | $97.29 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $112.27 | $91.15 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $110.55 | $91.40 |
| WyomingWyoming | $113.72 | $91.68 |
90834 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
Explore a state
Local rates. Clear comparisons.
Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.
$109.66
$158.15
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $158.15 | 1 |
| AL | $110.14 | 1 |
| AR | $109.66 | 1 |
| AZ | $112.94 | 1 |
| CA | $117.70–$135.25 | 29 |
| CO | $116.55 | 1 |
| CT | $117.88 | 1 |
| DC | $123.52 | 1 |
| DE | $113.92 | 1 |
| FL | $113.01–$116.06 | 3 |
| GA | $111.03–$114.73 | 2 |
| GU | $117.41 | 1 |
| HI | $117.41 | 1 |
| IA | $111.14 | 1 |
| ID | $111.33 | 1 |
| IL | $111.86–$115.76 | 4 |
| IN | $111.53 | 1 |
| KS | $110.90 | 1 |
| KY | $110.76 | 1 |
| LA | $110.68–$112.35 | 2 |
| MA | $116.60–$122.71 | 2 |
| MD | $115.03–$123.52 | 3 |
| ME | $111.43–$113.40 | 2 |
| MI | $111.57–$113.39 | 2 |
| MN | $114.23 | 1 |
| MO | $110.05–$112.57 | 3 |
| MS | $109.87 | 1 |
| MT | $113.90 | 1 |
| NC | $111.80 | 1 |
| ND | $113.50 | 1 |
| NE | $111.35 | 1 |
| NH | $114.95 | 1 |
| NJ | $119.93–$123.77 | 2 |
| NM | $111.73 | 1 |
| NV | $113.81 | 1 |
| NY | $112.31–$125.18 | 5 |
| OH | $111.49 | 1 |
| OK | $110.78 | 1 |
| OR | $113.59–$118.17 | 2 |
| PA | $111.59–$116.70 | 2 |
| PR | $114.19 | 1 |
| RI | $116.36 | 1 |
| SC | $111.69 | 1 |
| SD | $113.45 | 1 |
| TN | $111.07 | 1 |
| TX | $111.35–$115.60 | 8 |
| UT | $112.17 | 1 |
| VA | $113.23–$123.52 | 2 |
| VI | $114.19 | 1 |
| VT | $113.29 | 1 |
| WA | $116.32–$124.34 | 2 |
| WI | $112.27 | 1 |
| WV | $110.55 | 1 |
| WY | $113.72 | 1 |
How the 90834 rate is calculated
Each of 90834’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.
How the rate is built · 90834
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work2.56
2.56 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.83
0.83 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.02
0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
3.4100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$113.90
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Metropolitan Kansas City, MO inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
11,531
- Code
- 90834
- Physician work
- 2.56
- Practice expense
- 0.83
- Malpractice
- 0.02
GPCI2026.csv
68
- Locality
- Metropolitan Kansas City, MO
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.939
- Malpractice
- 0.977
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 2.56 | × 1.000 | 2.5600 |
| Practice expense | 0.83 | × 0.939 | 0.7794 |
| Malpractice | 0.02 | × 0.977 | 0.0195 |
| Total RVUs | 3.3589 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Metropolitan Kansas City, MO$112.19
Office: (2.56 × 1 + 0.83 × 0.939 + 0.02 × 0.977) × $33.4009 = $112.19
Facility: (2.56 × 1 + 0.17 × 0.939 + 0.02 × 0.977) × $33.4009 = $91.49
Payment rules and modifiers for 90834
90834 has no global surgery period, no multiple-procedure, bilateral or assistant-at-surgery adjustment, and no professional/technical split. What changes the payment is where the service happens: the place of service on the claim decides whether Medicare pays the office or the facility rate.
Place of service · 90834
Which rate does Medicare pay?
The POS code on the claim line (CMS-1500 box 24B).
POS 11 · non-facility rate · national
$113.90
- Non-facility (office)
- $113.90
- Facility
- $91.85
Higher because the practice carries its own overhead.
90834 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
90834 vs 90832 vs 90837: Medicare rates
Same family in Metropolitan Kansas City, MO
How to choose
- 90837Psychotherapy60 minutes, no E/M
- Both are individual psychotherapy codes without E/M performed with the therapy. Use 90834 for 38 to 52 minutes; use 90837 once psychotherapy time reaches 53 minutes.
- 90836PsychotherapyWith E/M, 38–52 minutes
- 90836 is a psychotherapy add-on for 38 to 52 minutes when the same clinician performs a separately identifiable E/M service with the therapy. Report 90834 when that clinician provides psychotherapy without E/M.
- 90832Psychotherapy session30 minutes, without E/M
- 90832 covers 16 to 37 minutes of psychotherapy. Use 90834 when documented psychotherapy time reaches 38 through 52 minutes.
- 90847Family therapyPatient present, 50 minutes
- 90847 is family psychotherapy focused on family interactions, with the patient present. Individual-focused therapy remains 90834 when a family member joins the patient's session.
How 90834 has changed in Metropolitan Kansas City, MO
90834 · Office / nonfacility
$112.19
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $9.26 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $102.93 to $112.19 (9.0%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.
What changed, release by release
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$102.93changed to$112.19
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 2.45 changed to 2.56
- Practice expense RVU 0.72 changed to 0.83
- Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.02
- Practice expense GPCI 0.948 changed to 0.939
- Malpractice GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.977
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$101.98changed to$102.93
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Work RVU 2.35 changed to 2.45
- Practice expense RVU 0.69 changed to 0.72
- Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$100.32changed to$101.98
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$98.79changed to$100.32
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Work RVU 2.24 changed to 2.35
- Practice expense RVU 0.65 changed to 0.69
- Practice expense GPCI 0.952 changed to 0.948
- Malpractice GPCI 0.941 changed to 0.992
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$101.44changed to$98.79
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.64 changed to 0.65
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.06
- Practice expense GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.952
- Malpractice GPCI 0.890 changed to 0.941
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$101.95changed to$101.44
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 0.63 changed to 0.64
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$93.70changed to$101.95
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Work RVU 2.00 changed to 2.24
- Practice expense RVU 0.54 changed to 0.63
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.09
- Practice expense GPCI 0.959 changed to 0.955
- Malpractice GPCI 0.982 changed to 0.890
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$90.75changed to$93.70
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.46 changed to 0.54
- Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08
- Practice expense GPCI 0.963 changed to 0.959
- Malpractice GPCI 1.073 changed to 0.982
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$88.22changed to$90.75
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.39 changed to 0.46
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$85.07changed to$88.22
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.31 changed to 0.39
- Practice expense GPCI 0.958 changed to 0.963
- Malpractice GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.073
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$84.74changed to$85.07
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense GPCI 0.952 changed to 0.958
- Malpractice GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.049
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$84.68changed to$84.74
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.07
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$84.26changed to$84.68
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$85.81changed to$84.26
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 0.32 changed to 0.31
- Malpractice RVU 0.08 changed to 0.06
- Practice expense GPCI 0.953 changed to 0.952
- Malpractice GPCI 1.129 changed to 1.025
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$80.53changed to$85.81
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Work RVU 1.89 changed to 2.00
- Practice expense RVU 0.41 changed to 0.32
- Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.08
- Malpractice GPCI 1.233 changed to 1.129
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $80.53
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $112.19 | $91.49 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $112.19 | $91.49 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $112.19 | $91.49 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $112.19 | $91.49 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $102.93 | $90.36 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $102.93 | $90.36 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $102.93 | $90.36 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $102.93 | $90.36 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $101.98 | $89.67 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $101.98 | $89.67 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $101.98 | $89.67 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $101.98 | $89.67 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $100.32 | $88.21 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $98.79 | $87.50 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $98.79 | $87.50 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $98.79 | $87.50 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $98.79 | $87.50 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $101.44 | $89.87 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $101.44 | $89.87 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $101.44 | $89.87 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $101.44 | $89.87 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $101.95 | $90.29 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $101.95 | $90.29 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $101.95 | $90.29 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $101.95 | $90.29 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $93.70 | $84.71 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $93.70 | $84.71 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $93.70 | $84.71 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $93.70 | $84.71 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $90.75 | $84.50 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $90.75 | $84.50 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $90.75 | $84.50 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $90.75 | $84.50 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $88.22 | $84.76 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $88.22 | $84.76 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $88.22 | $84.76 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $88.22 | $84.76 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $85.07 | $84.38 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $85.07 | $84.38 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $85.07 | $84.38 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $85.07 | $84.38 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $84.74 | $84.40 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $84.74 | $84.40 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $84.74 | $84.40 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $84.74 | $84.40 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $84.68 | $84.00 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $84.68 | $84.00 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $84.26 | $83.58 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $84.26 | $83.58 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $85.81 | $85.46 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $85.81 | $85.46 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $85.81 | $85.46 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $85.81 | $85.46 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $80.53 | $73.72 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $80.53 | $73.72 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $80.53 | $73.72 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $80.53 | $73.72 | RVU13AR |
Where the Metropolitan Kansas City, MO rate applies
Metropolitan Kansas City, MO is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 62 cities and communities in Missouri. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
90834 billing questions
How many minutes are needed to report this code instead of the 30- or 60-minute code?
Psychotherapy time of 38 to 52 minutes supports 90834. Use 90832 for 16 to 37 minutes and 90837 for 53 minutes or more.
Can a psychiatrist bill this code along with an E/M visit on the same day?
When the same clinician performs a separately identifiable E/M service with 38 to 52 minutes of psychotherapy, report add-on code 90836 with the E/M code instead of 90834. An E/M service by another clinician does not, by itself, change the psychotherapy code.
Does the patient have to be in the room the entire session?
The patient must participate for all or part of the session, and family members or caregivers may join. If treatment focuses on family interactions rather than the patient's individual therapy, consider the applicable family psychotherapy code.
When can interactive complexity be added?
Add-on code 90785 may be reported when documented qualifying factors complicate communication, such as caregiver interference, mandated reporting to a third party, or specialized communication aids needed for a patient with limited expressive or receptive skills. Routine language translation alone does not qualify.
Can this code be reported on the same day as crisis psychotherapy?
Do not report 90834 with crisis psychotherapy codes 90839 or 90840 for the same clinician on the same date. Use the crisis codes when an acute crisis requires immediate assessment and intervention.
What documentation supports this code on audit?
Record total psychotherapy minutes or start and stop times, the modality used, the clinical focus, the patient's response, and how the session ties to the treatment plan. Do not count time spent on E/M activities or testing toward psychotherapy minutes.
90834 is in these specialty bundles: Behavioral health
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.
CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
Fee sheets
Put 90834 and the rest of your codes on one sheet
Build a fee sheet from your own code list at your locality, put your payer contracts beside Medicare, and see what changed each quarter.
Build my fee sheetOr price your code list free →