CPT code 90846: Family psychotherapy, patient absent, 50 minutes2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Connecticut

Psychotherapy with a patient's family members or caregivers, without the patient present, is reported for a 50-minute session directed toward the patient's treatment.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality22.3K Medicare services in 2024

In Connecticut, Medicare pays $108.95 for 90846 in the office and $101.76 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$108.95Office (non-facility)
$101.76Hospital or facility
+2.9%vs the national office rate ($105.88)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 90846 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 90846 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Connecticut
  2. What 90846 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 90846 covers

A clinician conducts psychotherapy with a patient's family members or caregivers while the patient is absent. The session addresses family interactions, communication, or responses to symptoms as part of treating the patient's mental health condition. For example, a therapist may work with a caregiver on responding to the patient's symptoms and supporting treatment goals. The service is performed in outpatient mental health settings and is distinct from counseling the family about its own concerns without a treatment focus on the patient.

Report 90846 for the 50-minute family psychotherapy service when the patient does not participate. The record should identify the family participants, the patient's condition and treatment goals, the psychotherapy interventions, the time spent, and how the session supports the patient's treatment. CMS coverage is restricted: payment is available only in specific circumstances, so documentation should make the connection to the patient's care clear. Choose a different psychotherapy code when the patient participates or when the service is group therapy.

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 90846: 90846 vs 90847 · Mental health billing

How Connecticut compares for 90846

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 90846 runs from $103.51 in Arkansas to $152.06 in Alaska. Connecticut pays $108.95. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

90846 in Connecticut vs other payment areas
  1. Connecticut · this page$108.95
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$111.74+$2.79
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$113.31+$4.36
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$107.96−$0.99
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$107.89−$1.06
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$114.49+$5.54
  7. Alaska · Alaska$152.06+$43.11

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

Every other payment area

90846 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$103.78$97.93
ArkansasArkansas$103.51$97.77
ArizonaArizona$105.32$98.85
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$108.51$101.19
Chico, CACalifornia$108.25$100.93
El Centro, CACalifornia$108.26$100.94
Fresno, CACalifornia$108.25$100.93
Hanford, CACalifornia$108.25$100.93

90846 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.

$103.51

$152.06

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

View every state and territory as a table
90846 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$152.061
AL$103.781
AR$103.511
AZ$105.321
CA$108.25–$121.3929
CO$107.611
CT$108.951
DC$113.311
DE$106.081
FL$105.80–$107.963
GA$104.63–$106.572
GU$107.291
HI$107.291
IA$104.141
ID$104.281
IL$105.28–$107.894
IN$104.391
KS$104.101
KY$104.311
LA$104.30–$105.232
MA$107.85–$112.112
MD$106.87–$113.313
ME$104.43–$105.392
MI$104.85–$106.102
MN$105.561
MO$104.01–$105.243
MS$103.761
MT$105.881
NC$104.621
ND$105.291
NE$104.231
NH$106.301
NJ$110.87–$113.852
NM$104.971
NV$105.731
NY$104.92–$115.125
OH$104.731
OK$104.231
OR$105.53–$108.572
PA$104.73–$108.272
PR$106.011
RI$107.951
SC$104.721
SD$105.221
TN$104.201
TX$104.61–$106.908
UT$104.981
VA$105.36–$113.312
VI$106.011
VT$105.251
WA$107.54–$113.312
WI$104.631
WV$104.561
WY$105.621

See 90846 in every payment locality

How the 90846 rate is calculated

Each of 90846’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 · 90846

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.74

2.74 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.40

0.40 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.03

0.03 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.1700

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$105.88

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

The exact Connecticut inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,538

Code
90846
Physician work
2.74
Practice expense
0.40
Malpractice
0.03

GPCI2026.csv

38

Locality
Connecticut
Physician work
1.020
Practice expense
1.077
Malpractice
1.210
Office calculation for 90846 in Connecticut
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.74× 1.0202.7948
Practice expense0.40× 1.0770.4308
Malpractice0.03× 1.2100.0363
Total RVUs3.2619
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Connecticut$108.95

Office: (2.74 × 1.02 + 0.4 × 1.077 + 0.03 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $108.95

Facility: (2.74 × 1.02 + 0.2 × 1.077 + 0.03 × 1.21) × $33.4009 = $101.76

Open 90846 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 90846

90846 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 · 90846

Which rate does Medicare pay?

The POS code on the claim line (CMS-1500 box 24B).

POS 11 · non-facility rate · national

$105.88

Non-facility (office)
$105.88
Facility
$99.20

Higher because the practice carries its own overhead.

How 90846 has changed in Connecticut

90846 · Office / nonfacility

$108.95

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.96 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $101.99 to $108.95 (6.8%).

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

    $101.99changed to$108.95

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.63 changed to 2.74
    • Practice expense RVU 0.36 changed to 0.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.03
    • Work GPCI 1.022 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.091 changed to 1.077
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.210

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $100.91changed to$101.99

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Work RVU 2.51 changed to 2.63
    • Practice expense RVU 0.35 changed to 0.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $99.27changed to$100.91

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $99.38changed to$99.27

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Work RVU 2.40 changed to 2.51
    • Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.022
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.102 changed to 1.091
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.207
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $102.53changed to$99.38

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.07
    • Work GPCI 1.037 changed to 1.030
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.114 changed to 1.102
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.934 changed to 1.070

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $103.38changed to$102.53

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $107.94changed to$103.38

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 0.38 changed to 0.35
    • Work GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.037
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.113 changed to 1.114
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.094 changed to 0.934

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $115.22changed to$107.94

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 0.57 changed to 0.38
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.029
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.112 changed to 1.113
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.255 changed to 1.094

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $111.49changed to$115.22

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 0.48 changed to 0.57

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $107.77changed to$111.49

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.39 changed to 0.48
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.117 changed to 1.112
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.244 changed to 1.255

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $108.02changed to$107.77

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.40 changed to 0.39
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.121 changed to 1.117
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.232 changed to 1.244

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $107.52changed to$108.02

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.09

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $106.99changed to$107.52

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $108.81changed to$106.99

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 0.42 changed to 0.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.07
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.116 changed to 1.121
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.234 changed to 1.232

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $76.89changed to$108.81

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Work RVU 1.83 changed to 2.40
    • Practice expense RVU 0.27 changed to 0.42
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.09
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.110 changed to 1.116
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.235 changed to 1.234

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $76.89

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$108.95$101.76RVU26D
2026-07-01$108.95$101.76RVU26C
2026-04-01$108.95$101.76RVU26B
2026-01-01$108.95$101.76RVU26A
2025-10-01$101.99$101.64RVU25D
2025-07-01$101.99$101.64RVU25C
2025-04-01$101.99$101.64RVU25B
2025-01-01$101.99$101.64RVU25A
2024-10-01$100.91$100.55RVU24D
2024-07-01$100.91$100.55RVU24C
2024-04-01$100.91$100.55RVU24B
2024-03-09$100.91$100.55RVU24AR
2024-01-01$99.27$98.91RVU24A
2023-10-01$99.38$99.00RVU23D
2023-07-01$99.38$99.00RVU23C
2023-04-01$99.38$99.00RVU23B
2023-01-01$99.38$99.00RVU23A
2022-10-01$102.53$101.76RVU22D
2022-07-01$102.53$101.76RVU22C
2022-04-01$102.53$101.76RVU22B
2022-01-01$102.53$101.76RVU22A
2021-10-01$103.38$102.60RVU21D
2021-07-01$103.38$102.60RVU21C
2021-04-01$103.38$102.60RVU21B
2021-01-01$103.38$102.60RVU21A
2020-10-01$107.94$107.14RVU20D
2020-07-01$107.94$107.14RVU20C
2020-04-01$107.94$107.14RVU20B
2020-01-01$107.94$107.14RVU20A
2019-10-01$115.22$106.81RVU19D
2019-07-01$115.22$106.81RVU19C
2019-04-01$115.22$106.81RVU19B
2019-01-01$115.22$106.81RVU19A
2018-10-01$111.49$107.09RVU18D
2018-07-01$111.49$107.09RVU18C
2018-04-01$111.49$107.09RVU18B
2018-01-01$111.49$107.09RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$107.77$106.96RVU17D
2017-07-01$107.77$106.96RVU17C
2017-04-01$107.77$106.96RVU17B
2017-01-01$107.77$106.96RVU17A
2016-10-01$108.02$107.21RVU16D
2016-07-01$108.02$107.21RVU16C
2016-04-01$108.02$107.21RVU16B
2016-01-01$108.02$107.21RVU16A
2015-10-01$107.52$106.72RVU15D
2015-07-01$107.52$106.72RVU15C
2015-04-01$106.99$106.19RVU15B
2015-01-01$106.99$106.19RVU15A
2014-10-01$108.81$108.01RVU14D
2014-07-01$108.81$108.01RVU14C
2014-04-01$108.81$108.01RVU14B
2014-01-01$108.81$108.01RVU14A
2013-10-01$76.89$81.80RVU13D
2013-07-01$76.89$81.80RVU13C
2013-04-01$76.89$81.80RVU13B
2013-01-01$76.89$81.80RVU13AR

Price 90846 for an earlier date of service

Where the Connecticut rate applies

Connecticut is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 215 cities and communities in Connecticut. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ansonia
  • Ball Pond
  • Baltic
  • Bantam
  • Bethel
  • Bethlehem Village
  • Bigelow Corners
  • Blue Hills

Browse all communities in Connecticut

90846 billing questions

How is 90846 different from 90847?

Use 90846 when the patient is absent from the family psychotherapy session. Use 90847 when the patient participates.

What should the note say when the patient is absent?

Identify the family participants, the patient's treatment goals, the interventions provided, and how the session supports treatment of the patient. Document the session time and the patient's absence.

Can 90846 be used for family counseling unrelated to a patient's treatment?

The service must be directed toward treating the patient's condition. CMS pays 90846 only in specific circumstances.

Should 90846 be reported for a session with several families?

No. 90846 describes psychotherapy with one patient's family while that patient is absent. Multiple-family group psychotherapy is a different service.

Can 90846 be reported when the patient joins for part of the session?

90846 is for family psychotherapy without the patient present. If the patient participates in the family psychotherapy, 90847 is the corresponding code.

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 90846PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,538 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ConnecticutGPCI2026.csv, line 38 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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