CPT code 90846: Family psychotherapy, patient absent, 50 minutes2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Carolina
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.
In North Carolina, Medicare pays $104.62 for 90846 in the office and $98.39 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 North Carolina 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. North Carolina pays $104.62. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Carolina · this page$104.62
- Los Angeles, CA · California$111.74+$7.12
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$113.31+$8.69
- Miami, FL · Florida$107.96+$3.34
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$107.89+$3.27
- Manhattan, NY · New York$114.49+$9.87
- Alaska · Alaska$152.06+$47.44
Other areas in North Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $108.25 | $100.93 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $108.25 | $100.93 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $108.25 | $100.93 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $115.40 | $106.60 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $110.50 | $102.60 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $108.25 | $100.93 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $108.25 | $100.93 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $108.66 | $101.34 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $110.89 | $103.12 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $110.38 | $102.63 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $110.79 | $102.80 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $119.51 | $110.09 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $119.48 | $110.06 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $121.39 | $111.76 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $121.25 | $111.62 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $108.83 | $101.22 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $110.21 | $102.09 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $110.20 | $102.41 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $111.21 | $103.00 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $108.25 | $100.93 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $115.35 | $106.55 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $108.25 | $100.93 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $108.25 | $100.93 |
| ColoradoColorado | $107.61 | $100.51 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $108.95 | $101.76 |
| DelawareDelaware | $106.08 | $99.48 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $106.86 | $100.10 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $105.80 | $99.41 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $106.57 | $99.78 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $104.63 | $98.67 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $107.29 | $99.69 |
| IowaIowa | $104.14 | $98.03 |
| IdahoIdaho | $104.28 | $98.14 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $105.83 | $99.68 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $105.28 | $99.18 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $107.66 | $100.80 |
| IndianaIndiana | $104.39 | $98.20 |
| KansasKansas | $104.10 | $98.06 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $104.31 | $98.37 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $105.23 | $98.94 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $104.30 | $98.39 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $112.11 | $104.14 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $107.85 | $100.82 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $108.56 | $101.39 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $106.87 | $100.11 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $104.43 | $98.29 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $105.39 | $98.77 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $106.10 | $99.65 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $104.85 | $98.75 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $105.56 | $98.69 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $105.04 | $98.77 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $105.24 | $98.88 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $104.01 | $98.25 |
| MississippiMississippi | $103.76 | $98.01 |
| MontanaMontana | $105.88 | $99.20 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $105.29 | $98.61 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $104.23 | $98.06 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $106.30 | $99.35 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $113.85 | $106.10 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $110.87 | $103.57 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $104.97 | $98.85 |
| NevadaNevada | $105.73 | $99.04 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $115.12 | $107.18 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $111.48 | $104.16 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $114.61 | $106.72 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $104.92 | $98.57 |
| OhioOhio | $104.73 | $98.63 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $104.23 | $98.26 |
| Portland, OROregon | $108.57 | $101.15 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $105.53 | $98.88 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $108.27 | $101.32 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $104.73 | $98.60 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $106.01 | $99.26 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $107.95 | $101.05 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $104.72 | $98.54 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $105.22 | $98.54 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $104.20 | $98.13 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $106.72 | $99.66 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $104.61 | $98.53 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $106.27 | $99.65 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $106.51 | $99.86 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $106.39 | $99.80 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $106.35 | $99.71 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $106.90 | $100.26 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $105.10 | $98.76 |
| UtahUtah | $104.98 | $98.70 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $105.36 | $98.79 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $106.01 | $99.26 |
| VermontVermont | $105.25 | $98.64 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $107.54 | $100.50 |
| King County, WAWashington | $113.31 | $105.11 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $104.63 | $98.23 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $104.56 | $98.76 |
| WyomingWyoming | $105.62 | $98.94 |
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
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $152.06 | 1 |
| AL | $103.78 | 1 |
| AR | $103.51 | 1 |
| AZ | $105.32 | 1 |
| CA | $108.25–$121.39 | 29 |
| CO | $107.61 | 1 |
| CT | $108.95 | 1 |
| DC | $113.31 | 1 |
| DE | $106.08 | 1 |
| FL | $105.80–$107.96 | 3 |
| GA | $104.63–$106.57 | 2 |
| GU | $107.29 | 1 |
| HI | $107.29 | 1 |
| IA | $104.14 | 1 |
| ID | $104.28 | 1 |
| IL | $105.28–$107.89 | 4 |
| IN | $104.39 | 1 |
| KS | $104.10 | 1 |
| KY | $104.31 | 1 |
| LA | $104.30–$105.23 | 2 |
| MA | $107.85–$112.11 | 2 |
| MD | $106.87–$113.31 | 3 |
| ME | $104.43–$105.39 | 2 |
| MI | $104.85–$106.10 | 2 |
| MN | $105.56 | 1 |
| MO | $104.01–$105.24 | 3 |
| MS | $103.76 | 1 |
| MT | $105.88 | 1 |
| NC | $104.62 | 1 |
| ND | $105.29 | 1 |
| NE | $104.23 | 1 |
| NH | $106.30 | 1 |
| NJ | $110.87–$113.85 | 2 |
| NM | $104.97 | 1 |
| NV | $105.73 | 1 |
| NY | $104.92–$115.12 | 5 |
| OH | $104.73 | 1 |
| OK | $104.23 | 1 |
| OR | $105.53–$108.57 | 2 |
| PA | $104.73–$108.27 | 2 |
| PR | $106.01 | 1 |
| RI | $107.95 | 1 |
| SC | $104.72 | 1 |
| SD | $105.22 | 1 |
| TN | $104.20 | 1 |
| TX | $104.61–$106.90 | 8 |
| UT | $104.98 | 1 |
| VA | $105.36–$113.31 | 2 |
| VI | $106.01 | 1 |
| VT | $105.25 | 1 |
| WA | $107.54–$113.31 | 2 |
| WI | $104.63 | 1 |
| WV | $104.56 | 1 |
| WY | $105.62 | 1 |
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
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 North Carolina 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
83
- Locality
- North Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.933
- Malpractice
- 0.639
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 2.74 | × 1.000 | 2.7400 |
| Practice expense | 0.40 | × 0.933 | 0.3732 |
| Malpractice | 0.03 | × 0.639 | 0.0192 |
| Total RVUs | 3.1324 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, North Carolina$104.62
Office: (2.74 × 1 + 0.4 × 0.933 + 0.03 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $104.62
Facility: (2.74 × 1 + 0.2 × 0.933 + 0.03 × 0.639) × $33.4009 = $98.39
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 North Carolina
90846 · Office / nonfacility
$104.62
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $7.48 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $97.14 to $104.62 (7.7%).
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
$97.14changed to$104.62
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 0.926 changed to 0.933
- Malpractice GPCI 0.665 changed to 0.639
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$95.89changed to$97.14
- 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.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$94.32changed to$95.89
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$94.08changed to$94.32
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Work RVU 2.40 changed to 2.51
- Practice expense GPCI 0.927 changed to 0.926
- Malpractice GPCI 0.742 changed to 0.665
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$96.85changed to$94.08
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Malpractice RVU 0.09 changed to 0.07
- Practice expense GPCI 0.928 changed to 0.927
- Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.742
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$97.65changed to$96.85
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$101.83changed to$97.65
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 0.38 changed to 0.35
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.928
- Malpractice GPCI 0.757 changed to 0.819
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$107.87changed to$101.83
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 0.57 changed to 0.38
- Practice expense GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.757
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$104.74changed to$107.87
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 0.48 changed to 0.57
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$101.53changed to$104.74
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 0.39 changed to 0.48
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.695
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$101.72changed to$101.53
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 0.40 changed to 0.39
- Practice expense GPCI 0.930 changed to 0.931
- Malpractice GPCI 0.768 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$101.54changed to$101.72
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.09
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$101.03changed to$101.54
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$102.31changed to$101.03
- 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 0.929 changed to 0.930
- Malpractice GPCI 0.732 changed to 0.768
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$72.43changed to$102.31
- 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 0.927 changed to 0.929
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.732
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $72.43
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $104.62 | $98.39 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $104.62 | $98.39 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $104.62 | $98.39 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $104.62 | $98.39 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $97.14 | $96.85 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $97.14 | $96.85 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $97.14 | $96.85 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $97.14 | $96.85 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $95.89 | $95.58 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $95.89 | $95.58 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $95.89 | $95.58 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $95.89 | $95.58 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $94.32 | $94.02 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $94.08 | $93.77 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $94.08 | $93.77 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $94.08 | $93.77 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $94.08 | $93.77 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $96.85 | $96.20 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $96.85 | $96.20 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $96.85 | $96.20 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $96.85 | $96.20 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $97.65 | $97.00 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $97.65 | $97.00 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $97.65 | $97.00 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $97.65 | $97.00 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $101.83 | $101.16 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $101.83 | $101.16 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $101.83 | $101.16 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $101.83 | $101.16 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $107.87 | $100.83 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $107.87 | $100.83 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $107.87 | $100.83 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $107.87 | $100.83 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $104.74 | $101.05 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $104.74 | $101.05 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $104.74 | $101.05 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $104.74 | $101.05 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $101.53 | $100.86 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $101.53 | $100.86 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $101.53 | $100.86 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $101.53 | $100.86 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $101.72 | $101.06 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $101.72 | $101.06 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $101.72 | $101.06 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $101.72 | $101.06 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $101.54 | $100.87 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $101.54 | $100.87 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $101.03 | $100.37 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $101.03 | $100.37 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $102.31 | $101.65 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $102.31 | $101.65 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $102.31 | $101.65 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $102.31 | $101.65 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $72.43 | $76.53 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $72.43 | $76.53 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $72.43 | $76.53 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $72.43 | $76.53 | RVU13AR |
Where the North Carolina rate applies
North Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 785 cities and communities in North Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Aberdeen
- Advance
- Ahoskie
- Alamance
- Albemarle
- Alexis
- Alliance
- Altamahaw
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
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