CPT code 90838: Psychotherapy, with E/M, 60 minutes2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Delaware

Report 90838 when a clinician provides at least 53 minutes of psychotherapy during the same encounter as a separately performed evaluation and management service.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality94.1K Medicare services in 2024

In Delaware, Medicare pays $136.24 for 90838 in the office and $110.17 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$136.24Office (non-facility)
$110.17Hospital or facility
−0.3%vs the national office rate ($136.61)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 90838 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 90838 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Delaware
  2. What 90838 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 90838 covers

This add-on represents an extended psychotherapy session delivered during the same encounter as an evaluation and management service. A psychiatrist or other qualified clinician may use it when addressing a patient’s psychiatric symptoms through psychotherapy while also providing separately identifiable E/M work, such as assessing symptoms or managing medication. Common settings include office visits and facility-based psychiatric encounters.

Select 90838 when psychotherapy time reaches at least 53 minutes; do not count time spent on the E/M service toward that threshold. The record should distinguish the psychotherapy from the E/M work and describe the issues addressed, therapeutic interventions, patient response, and plan. Report it only with an appropriate primary E/M service, not by itself. CMS classifies it as an add-on and pays it within the primary procedure’s global period.

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 90838: Psychotherapy add-on codes · Psychotherapy CPT codes · Mental health billing

How Delaware compares for 90838

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 90838 runs from $129.44 in Arkansas to $184.98 in Alaska. Delaware pays $136.24. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

90838 in Delaware vs other payment areas
  1. Delaware · this page$136.24
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$145.96+$9.72
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$148.82+$12.58
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$144.26+$8.02
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$142.65+$6.41
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$151.08+$14.84
  7. Alaska · Alaska$184.98+$48.74

Other areas in Delaware first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

90838 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$130.24$107.15
ArkansasArkansas$129.44$106.77
ArizonaArizona$134.88$109.31
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$140.42$111.50
Chico, CACalifornia$139.93$111.01
El Centro, CACalifornia$139.95$111.03
Fresno, CACalifornia$139.93$111.01
Hanford, CACalifornia$139.93$111.01

90838 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.

$129.44

$184.98

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
90838 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$184.981
AL$130.241
AR$129.441
AZ$134.881
CA$139.93–$161.6429
CO$139.251
CT$142.221
DC$148.821
DE$136.241
FL$136.99–$144.263
GA$133.38–$138.302
GU$140.001
HI$140.001
IA$131.041
ID$131.531
IL$135.64–$142.654
IN$131.841
KS$131.061
KY$132.151
LA$132.18–$134.972
MA$139.29–$147.282
MD$137.68–$148.823
ME$132.13–$134.802
MI$133.90–$138.062
MN$134.861
MO$131.39–$134.843
MS$130.411
MT$136.601
NC$132.681
ND$134.231
NE$131.261
NH$137.631
NJ$144.23–$148.832
NM$134.341
NV$135.981
NY$133.57–$153.175
OH$133.421
OK$131.751
OR$135.27–$141.232
PA$133.35–$140.622
PR$136.961
RI$139.221
SC$133.191
SD$133.951
TN$131.381
TX$132.99–$138.628
UT$133.981
VA$134.80–$148.822
VI$136.961
VT$134.261
WA$138.86–$149.072
WI$132.281
WV$133.481
WY$135.571

See 90838 in every payment locality

How the 90838 rate is calculated

Each of 90838’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 · 90838

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.86

2.86 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.11

1.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.12

0.12 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.0900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$136.61

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Delaware inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,534

Code
90838
Physician work
2.86
Practice expense
1.11
Malpractice
0.12

GPCI2026.csv

40

Locality
Delaware
Physician work
1.005
Practice expense
0.988
Malpractice
0.899
Office calculation for 90838 in Delaware
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.86× 1.0052.8743
Practice expense1.11× 0.9881.0967
Malpractice0.12× 0.8990.1079
Total RVUs4.0789
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Delaware$136.24

Office: (2.86 × 1.005 + 1.11 × 0.988 + 0.12 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $136.24

Facility: (2.86 × 1.005 + 0.32 × 0.988 + 0.12 × 0.899) × $33.4009 = $110.17

Open 90838 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 90838

The CMS indicators that decide how 90838 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 90838

Psychotherapy, with E/M, 60 minutes

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodZZZAdd-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)9The concept doesn’t apply.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

How 90838 has changed in Delaware

90838 · Office / nonfacility

$136.24

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $12.98 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $123.26 to $136.24 (10.5%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

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
  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $123.26changed to$136.24

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.74 changed to 2.86
    • Practice expense RVU 0.93 changed to 1.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.12
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.992 changed to 0.988
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.949 changed to 0.899

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $120.86changed to$123.26

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Work RVU 2.62 changed to 2.74
    • Practice expense RVU 0.89 changed to 0.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.13

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $118.89changed to$120.86

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $117.13changed to$118.89

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Work RVU 2.50 changed to 2.62
    • Practice expense RVU 0.83 changed to 0.89
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.007 changed to 0.992
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.938 changed to 0.949
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $119.16changed to$117.13

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.82 changed to 0.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.007
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.938

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $120.15changed to$119.16

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $122.46changed to$120.15

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.77 changed to 0.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.10
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.022
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.023 changed to 0.927

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $120.14changed to$122.46

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.68 changed to 0.77
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.09
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.021
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.119 changed to 1.023

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $116.70changed to$120.14

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.59 changed to 0.68

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $112.99changed to$116.70

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.49 changed to 0.59
    • Work GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.025 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.101 changed to 1.119

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $112.94changed to$112.99

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.010
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.025
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.083 changed to 1.101

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $112.59changed to$112.94

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 0.48 changed to 0.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $112.03changed to$112.59

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $112.00changed to$112.03

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.49 changed to 0.48
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.038 changed to 1.031
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.878 changed to 1.083

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $109.61changed to$112.00

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Work RVU 2.56 changed to 2.50
    • Practice expense RVU 0.54 changed to 0.49
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.044 changed to 1.038
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.672 changed to 0.878

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $109.61

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$136.24$110.17RVU26D
2026-07-01$136.24$110.17RVU26C
2026-04-01$136.24$110.17RVU26B
2026-01-01$136.24$110.17RVU26A
2025-10-01$123.26$109.78RVU25D
2025-07-01$123.26$109.78RVU25C
2025-04-01$123.26$109.78RVU25B
2025-01-01$123.26$109.78RVU25A
2024-10-01$120.86$107.65RVU24D
2024-07-01$120.86$107.65RVU24C
2024-04-01$120.86$107.65RVU24B
2024-03-09$120.86$107.65RVU24AR
2024-01-01$118.89$105.90RVU24A
2023-10-01$117.13$104.85RVU23D
2023-07-01$117.13$104.85RVU23C
2023-04-01$117.13$104.85RVU23B
2023-01-01$117.13$104.85RVU23A
2022-10-01$119.16$106.78RVU22D
2022-07-01$119.16$106.78RVU22C
2022-04-01$119.16$106.78RVU22B
2022-01-01$119.16$106.78RVU22A
2021-10-01$120.15$107.31RVU21D
2021-07-01$120.15$107.31RVU21C
2021-04-01$120.15$107.31RVU21B
2021-01-01$120.15$107.31RVU21A
2020-10-01$122.46$111.41RVU20D
2020-07-01$122.46$111.41RVU20C
2020-04-01$122.46$111.41RVU20B
2020-01-01$122.46$111.41RVU20A
2019-10-01$120.14$112.42RVU19D
2019-07-01$120.14$112.42RVU19C
2019-04-01$120.14$112.42RVU19B
2019-01-01$120.14$112.42RVU19A
2018-10-01$116.70$112.30RVU18D
2018-07-01$116.70$112.30RVU18C
2018-04-01$116.70$112.30RVU18B
2018-01-01$116.70$112.30RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$112.99$112.25RVU17D
2017-07-01$112.99$112.25RVU17C
2017-04-01$112.99$112.25RVU17B
2017-01-01$112.99$112.25RVU17A
2016-10-01$112.94$112.20RVU16D
2016-07-01$112.94$112.20RVU16C
2016-04-01$112.94$112.20RVU16B
2016-01-01$112.94$112.20RVU16A
2015-10-01$112.59$111.85RVU15D
2015-07-01$112.59$111.85RVU15C
2015-04-01$112.03$111.29RVU15B
2015-01-01$112.03$111.29RVU15A
2014-10-01$112.00$111.25RVU14D
2014-07-01$112.00$111.25RVU14C
2014-04-01$112.00$111.25RVU14B
2014-01-01$112.00$111.25RVU14A
2013-10-01$109.61$108.90RVU13D
2013-07-01$109.61$108.90RVU13C
2013-04-01$109.61$108.90RVU13B
2013-01-01$109.61$108.90RVU13AR

Price 90838 for an earlier date of service

Where the Delaware rate applies

Delaware is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 79 cities and communities in Delaware. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Arden
  • Ardencroft
  • Ardentown
  • Bear
  • Bellefonte
  • Bethany Beach
  • Bethel
  • Blades

Browse all communities in Delaware

90838 billing questions

When should 90838 be chosen over 90837?

Use 90838 when the encounter includes at least 53 minutes of psychotherapy and a separately performed E/M service. Use 90837 for the corresponding extended psychotherapy service without E/M.

Can 90838 be billed by itself?

No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with an appropriate primary E/M service.

Does E/M time count toward the psychotherapy threshold?

No. Count psychotherapy time separately; time spent evaluating or managing the patient as part of the E/M service does not establish the psychotherapy duration.

What documentation supports reporting 90838?

Document the psychotherapy duration, the therapeutic work and patient response, and the separately performed E/M service. The record should make the two service components distinguishable.

Is 90838 an add-on within the primary service's global period?

Yes. CMS identifies 90838 as an add-on paid within the primary procedure’s global period, so report it with the qualifying primary service.

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
RVUs for 90838PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,534 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for DelawareGPCI2026.csv, line 40 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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