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CMS RVU26D · Effective 2026-10-01

90785 in Chico

Office / nonfacility

$15.24

Base rate per service

Facility setting

$11.94

Base rate per service

Amounts below use the non-QP conversion factor for participating physicians. These are base physician payments before claim-level adjustments, not patient costs or total hospital charges.

Psychiatry

About 90785: Interactive complexity add-on for psychiatric services

Report interactive complexity when communication barriers or other specified factors complicate a psychiatric evaluation or psychotherapy service.

Code 90785 captures added communication work during a psychiatric service, not a separate evaluation or a longer psychotherapy session. Examples include using play equipment to communicate with a young child, working through an interpreter, coordinating with a third party whose involvement complicates the exchange, or addressing a disclosure that requires mandated reporting. Psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and other qualified mental health clinicians may encounter these circumstances in office or facility settings.

Report 90785 only with an eligible primary psychiatric service, such as a psychiatric diagnostic evaluation or psychotherapy; it is not billed by itself. The record should identify the communication factor and explain how it affected delivery of the primary service. CMS classifies it as an add-on paid within the primary procedure’s global period, so submit it with that procedure rather than as a standalone service.

CMS billing rules for 90785

Global period
Add-on code: billed only together with a primary procedure and paid within that procedure's global period.

Where the value comes from

  • Work RVU0.33 · 75%
  • Practice expense (office) RVU0.11 · 25%
  • Malpractice RVU0.00 · 0%

414.3K

Medicare services in 2024 · #249 by national volume

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.

90785 compared with similar codes

Office rates for Chico, from the same CMS release.

90791

Psychiatric evaluation

Without medical services

$179.49

90791 is the psychiatric diagnostic evaluation itself. Add 90785 only when a qualifying communication factor complicates that evaluation.

90792

Psychiatric evaluation

With medical services

$207.32

90792 describes a psychiatric diagnostic evaluation that includes medical services. Code 90785 may be added when communication factors complicate that evaluation; it does not replace 90792.

90837

Psychotherapy

60 minutes, no E/M

$172.69

90837 reports an individual psychotherapy service. Code 90785 is an add-on for qualifying interactive complexity during the psychotherapy, not a substitute for the psychotherapy code.

The same code, a different location

How does Chico compare?

In Bakersfield, the office rate for 90785 is $15.26—$0.02 higher than the $15.24 rate in Chico. Both use the same code, release and participation basis.

90785 across payment areas

Same release and payment basis · bars start at $0

  1. Chico · This locality

    $15.24

  2. Bakersfield

    $15.26

    $0.02 higher than Chico

  3. El Centro

    $15.24

    The same base rate than Chico

  4. Fresno

    $15.24

    The same base rate than Chico

  5. Hanford-Corcoran

    $15.24

    The same base rate than Chico

  6. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty)

    $15.82

    $0.58 higher than Chico

  7. Madera

    $15.24

    The same base rate than Chico

Other payment areas listed in California appear first, followed by selected cross-country examples. The chart compares amounts, not distance.

Across 109 of 109 CMS payment localities with a supported office rate, 90785 ranges from $14.18 in Arkansas to $20.45 in Alaska*. This is a geographic range, not an average.

The code’s RVUs stay the same in these comparisons. Geographic adjustments to work, practice expense and malpractice change the dollar amount. A city name alone may not identify the payment area for a service address.

Compare all 108 other payment areas

  • Merced

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.24

    Facility

    $11.94

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Modesto

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.24

    Facility

    $11.94

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Napa

    California · 90785

    Office

    $16.56

    Facility

    $12.60

    $1.32 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.67

    Facility

    $12.12

    $0.43 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Redding

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.24

    Facility

    $11.94

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of California

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.24

    Facility

    $11.94

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.25

    Facility

    $11.95

    $0.01 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.69

    Facility

    $12.20

    $0.45 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Salinas

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.62

    Facility

    $12.14

    $0.38 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.75

    Facility

    $12.15

    $0.51 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty)

    California · 90785

    Office

    $17.25

    Facility

    $13.01

    $2.01 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty)

    California · 90785

    Office

    $17.25

    Facility

    $13.01

    $2.01 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty)

    California · 90785

    Office

    $17.53

    Facility

    $13.20

    $2.29 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty)

    California · 90785

    Office

    $17.53

    Facility

    $13.20

    $2.29 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.39

    Facility

    $11.97

    $0.15 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Santa Cruz-Watsonville

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.72

    Facility

    $12.07

    $0.48 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.61

    Facility

    $12.11

    $0.37 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Santa Rosa-Petaluma

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.86

    Facility

    $12.17

    $0.62 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Stockton

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.24

    Facility

    $11.94

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Vallejo

    California · 90785

    Office

    $16.56

    Facility

    $12.60

    $1.32 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Visalia

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.24

    Facility

    $11.94

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Yuba City

    California · 90785

    Office

    $15.24

    Facility

    $11.94

    The same base rate than Chico for the office setting.

  • Dc + Md/Va Suburbs

    District of Columbia · 90785

    Office

    $15.95

    Facility

    $12.40

    $0.71 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Miami

    Florida · 90785

    Office

    $14.85

    Facility

    $11.72

    $0.39 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Chicago

    Illinois · 90785

    Office

    $14.79

    Facility

    $11.77

    $0.45 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Manhattan

    New York · 90785

    Office

    $16.00

    Facility

    $12.50

    $0.76 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Alaska*

    Alaska · 90785

    Office

    $20.45

    Facility

    $17.24

    $5.21 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Alabama

    Alabama · 90785

    Office

    $14.24

    Facility

    $11.61

    $1.00 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Arkansas

    Arkansas · 90785

    Office

    $14.18

    Facility

    $11.60

    $1.06 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Arizona

    Arizona · 90785

    Office

    $14.58

    Facility

    $11.67

    $0.66 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Colorado

    Colorado · 90785

    Office

    $15.06

    Facility

    $11.87

    $0.18 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Connecticut

    Connecticut · 90785

    Office

    $15.20

    Facility

    $11.96

    $0.04 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Delaware

    Delaware · 90785

    Office

    $14.71

    Facility

    $11.74

    $0.53 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Florida · 90785

    Office

    $14.74

    Facility

    $11.70

    $0.50 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Florida

    Florida · 90785

    Office

    $14.53

    Facility

    $11.66

    $0.71 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Atlanta

    Georgia · 90785

    Office

    $14.79

    Facility

    $11.73

    $0.45 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Georgia

    Georgia · 90785

    Office

    $14.30

    Facility

    $11.62

    $0.94 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Hawaii, Guam

    Hawaii · 90785

    Office

    $15.20

    Facility

    $11.78

    $0.04 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Iowa

    Iowa · 90785

    Office

    $14.38

    Facility

    $11.63

    $0.86 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Idaho

    Idaho · 90785

    Office

    $14.40

    Facility

    $11.64

    $0.84 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • East St. Louis

    Illinois · 90785

    Office

    $14.40

    Facility

    $11.64

    $0.84 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Illinois

    Illinois · 90785

    Office

    $14.38

    Facility

    $11.63

    $0.86 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Suburban Chicago

    Illinois · 90785

    Office

    $14.87

    Facility

    $11.79

    $0.37 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Indiana

    Indiana · 90785

    Office

    $14.43

    Facility

    $11.64

    $0.81 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Kansas

    Kansas · 90785

    Office

    $14.34

    Facility

    $11.63

    $0.90 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Kentucky

    Kentucky · 90785

    Office

    $14.29

    Facility

    $11.62

    $0.95 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • New Orleans

    Louisiana · 90785

    Office

    $14.48

    Facility

    $11.65

    $0.76 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Louisiana

    Louisiana · 90785

    Office

    $14.27

    Facility

    $11.61

    $0.97 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Boston

    Massachusetts · 90785

    Office

    $15.86

    Facility

    $12.27

    $0.62 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Massachusetts

    Massachusetts · 90785

    Office

    $15.07

    Facility

    $11.90

    $0.17 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Baltimore/Surr. Cntys

    Maryland · 90785

    Office

    $15.14

    Facility

    $11.92

    $0.10 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maryland

    Maryland · 90785

    Office

    $14.85

    Facility

    $11.81

    $0.39 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Maine

    Maine · 90785

    Office

    $14.40

    Facility

    $11.64

    $0.84 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Southern Maine

    Maine · 90785

    Office

    $14.66

    Facility

    $11.68

    $0.58 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Detroit

    Michigan · 90785

    Office

    $14.57

    Facility

    $11.67

    $0.67 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Michigan

    Michigan · 90785

    Office

    $14.38

    Facility

    $11.63

    $0.86 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Minnesota

    Minnesota · 90785

    Office

    $14.80

    Facility

    $11.71

    $0.44 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Kansas City

    Missouri · 90785

    Office

    $14.47

    Facility

    $11.65

    $0.77 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan St. Louis

    Missouri · 90785

    Office

    $14.52

    Facility

    $11.66

    $0.72 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Missouri

    Missouri · 90785

    Office

    $14.19

    Facility

    $11.60

    $1.05 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Mississippi

    Mississippi · 90785

    Office

    $14.19

    Facility

    $11.60

    $1.05 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Montana**

    Montana · 90785

    Office

    $14.70

    Facility

    $11.69

    $0.54 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • North Carolina

    North Carolina · 90785

    Office

    $14.45

    Facility

    $11.65

    $0.79 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • North Dakota**

    North Dakota · 90785

    Office

    $14.70

    Facility

    $11.69

    $0.54 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Nebraska

    Nebraska · 90785

    Office

    $14.41

    Facility

    $11.64

    $0.83 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • New Hampshire

    New Hampshire · 90785

    Office

    $14.85

    Facility

    $11.72

    $0.39 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Northern Nj

    New Jersey · 90785

    Office

    $15.98

    Facility

    $12.49

    $0.74 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New Jersey

    New Jersey · 90785

    Office

    $15.48

    Facility

    $12.19

    $0.24 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • New Mexico

    New Mexico · 90785

    Office

    $14.39

    Facility

    $11.63

    $0.85 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Nevada**

    Nevada · 90785

    Office

    $14.70

    Facility

    $11.69

    $0.54 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Nyc Suburbs/Long Island

    New York · 90785

    Office

    $16.10

    Facility

    $12.52

    $0.86 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Poughkpsie/N Nyc Suburbs

    New York · 90785

    Office

    $15.54

    Facility

    $12.25

    $0.30 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Queens

    New York · 90785

    Office

    $16.07

    Facility

    $12.52

    $0.83 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of New York

    New York · 90785

    Office

    $14.51

    Facility

    $11.66

    $0.73 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Ohio

    Ohio · 90785

    Office

    $14.38

    Facility

    $11.63

    $0.86 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Oklahoma

    Oklahoma · 90785

    Office

    $14.30

    Facility

    $11.62

    $0.94 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Portland

    Oregon · 90785

    Office

    $15.28

    Facility

    $11.94

    $0.04 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Oregon

    Oregon · 90785

    Office

    $14.68

    Facility

    $11.69

    $0.56 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Metropolitan Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania · 90785

    Office

    $15.05

    Facility

    $11.92

    $0.19 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania · 90785

    Office

    $14.40

    Facility

    $11.64

    $0.84 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico · 90785

    Office

    $14.74

    Facility

    $11.70

    $0.50 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rhode Island

    Rhode Island · 90785

    Office

    $15.03

    Facility

    $11.92

    $0.21 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • South Carolina

    South Carolina · 90785

    Office

    $14.42

    Facility

    $11.64

    $0.82 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • South Dakota**

    South Dakota · 90785

    Office

    $14.70

    Facility

    $11.69

    $0.54 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Tennessee

    Tennessee · 90785

    Office

    $14.36

    Facility

    $11.63

    $0.88 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Austin

    Texas · 90785

    Office

    $14.93

    Facility

    $11.75

    $0.31 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Beaumont

    Texas · 90785

    Office

    $14.37

    Facility

    $11.63

    $0.87 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Brazoria

    Texas · 90785

    Office

    $14.75

    Facility

    $11.77

    $0.49 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Dallas

    Texas · 90785

    Office

    $14.78

    Facility

    $11.79

    $0.46 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Fort Worth

    Texas · 90785

    Office

    $14.74

    Facility

    $11.78

    $0.50 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Galveston

    Texas · 90785

    Office

    $14.76

    Facility

    $11.77

    $0.48 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Houston

    Texas · 90785

    Office

    $14.76

    Facility

    $11.77

    $0.48 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Texas

    Texas · 90785

    Office

    $14.51

    Facility

    $11.66

    $0.73 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Utah

    Utah · 90785

    Office

    $14.48

    Facility

    $11.65

    $0.76 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Virginia

    Virginia · 90785

    Office

    $14.63

    Facility

    $11.68

    $0.61 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Virgin Islands

    United States Virgin Islands · 90785

    Office

    $14.74

    Facility

    $11.70

    $0.50 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Vermont

    Vermont · 90785

    Office

    $14.66

    Facility

    $11.68

    $0.58 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Rest Of Washington

    Washington · 90785

    Office

    $15.03

    Facility

    $11.87

    $0.21 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Seattle (King Cnty)

    Washington · 90785

    Office

    $16.08

    Facility

    $12.39

    $0.84 higher than Chico for the office setting.

  • Wisconsin

    Wisconsin · 90785

    Office

    $14.54

    Facility

    $11.66

    $0.70 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • West Virginia

    West Virginia · 90785

    Office

    $14.22

    Facility

    $11.60

    $1.02 lower than Chico for the office setting.

  • Wyoming**

    Wyoming · 90785

    Office

    $14.70

    Facility

    $11.69

    $0.54 lower than Chico for the office setting.

See how rates vary across the country

90785 · Office / nonfacility · Non-QP. Choose a state to explore its payment localities. A range means the amount varies within that state.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

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.

$14.18

$20.45

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

View all state and territory rates as a table
State / territoryRate rangeLocalities
AK$20.451
AL$14.241
AR$14.181
AZ$14.581
CA$15.24–$17.5329
CO$15.061
CT$15.201
DC$15.951
DE$14.711
FL$14.53–$14.853
GA$14.30–$14.792
GU$15.201
HI$15.201
IA$14.381
ID$14.401
IL$14.38–$14.874
IN$14.431
KS$14.341
KY$14.291
LA$14.27–$14.482
MA$15.07–$15.862
MD$14.85–$15.953
ME$14.40–$14.662
MI$14.38–$14.572
MN$14.801
MO$14.19–$14.523
MS$14.191
MT$14.701
NC$14.451
ND$14.701
NE$14.411
NH$14.851
NJ$15.48–$15.982
NM$14.391
NV$14.701
NY$14.51–$16.105
OH$14.381
OK$14.301
OR$14.68–$15.282
PA$14.40–$15.052
PR$14.741
RI$15.031
SC$14.421
SD$14.701
TN$14.361
TX$14.37–$14.938
UT$14.481
VA$14.63–$15.952
VI$14.741
VT$14.661
WA$15.03–$16.082
WI$14.541
WV$14.221
WY$14.701

Explore 90785 on the national rate map →

Where does this rate apply?

Chico is a Medicare payment area. Our Census mapping connects it to 30 cities and communities in California, including the examples shown here.

Some communities span more than one payment area. Follow a city link to compare all of its mapped areas, or check the service-location ZIP above for an address-level starting point.

Browse all communities in California →

Why are the office and facility amounts different?

For 90785 in Chico, the physician’s office rate is $15.24 and the facility-setting rate is $11.94: a difference of $3.30.

The calculation uses a different practice-expense RVU for each setting. Both amounts here are physician fee-schedule amounts. The facility figure does not include a hospital’s separate charges, so this comparison does not tell you the total cost of receiving care in each setting.

See the inputs behind this difference →

Use this rate

What is a percentage of Medicare worth?

Turn a percentage into dollars for 90785 in Chico. This uses the base rate on this page, so the locality and release stay consistent.

Reference amount per service

$16.76

$15.24 × 110% = $16.76

A contract may specify another Medicare year or additional adjustments. This is percentage arithmetic on the displayed base rate, not a claim adjudication.

Working with a whole code list?

Compare an offer across your annual code mix, including an older Medicare schedule or flat per-code rates.

Compare your contract offer →

How this local rate is calculated

Each RVU component is multiplied by its own geographic practice cost index (GPCI). The three adjusted components are added, then multiplied by the conversion factor. These are the inputs used for 90785 in Chico.

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,526

Code
90785
Physician work
0.33
Practice expense
0.11
Malpractice
0.00

GPCI2026.csv

9

Locality
Chico
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office / nonfacility calculation for 90785 in Chico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.33× 1.0170.3356
Practice expense0.11× 1.0960.1206
Malpractice0.00× 0.5360.0000
Total RVUs0.4562
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office / nonfacility rate, Chico$15.24

Values as parsed from CMS release RVU26D, effective 2026-10-01. The amount is rounded to the nearest cent only at the end.

Open 90785 in the RVU calculator →

Explore RVUs, geographic factors and the full formula

Office / nonfacility

Office / nonfacility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work0.331.017
Practice expense0.111.096
Malpractice00.536

(0.33 × 1.017 + 0.11 × 1.096 + 0 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $15.24

Facility

Facility calculation inputs
ComponentRVULocal GPCI
Work0.331.017
Practice expense0.021.096
Malpractice00.536

(0.33 × 1.017 + 0.02 × 1.096 + 0 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $11.94

The office and facility calculations use their respective practice-expense RVUs. The facility amount here is the physician fee, not a separate hospital or facility bill.

How this rate has changed

90785 · Office / nonfacility

$15.24

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.70 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $14.54 to $15.24 (4.8%).

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

    $14.54changed to$15.24

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Practice expense RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.01 changed to 0.00
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    Earliest loaded release: $14.54

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

Explore release dates and calculate this code in an earlier period →

Each row uses the accepted CMS release effective on that date and the same contractor and locality identifiers. Missing rates stay visible. Historical boundaries may differ; verify the service address for an older claim.

Inspect every release and its CMS source
Effective fromOffice / nonfacilityFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$15.24$11.94RVU26D
2026-07-01$15.24$11.94RVU26C
2026-04-01$15.24$11.94RVU26B
2026-01-01$15.24$11.94RVU26A
2025-10-01$14.54$12.42RVU25D
2025-07-01$14.54$12.42RVU25C
2025-04-01$14.54$12.42RVU25B
2025-01-01$14.54$12.42RVU25A

90785 billing questions

When should 90785 be added to a psychiatric service?

Use it when a specific communication factor complicates delivery of the primary psychiatric service, such as interpreter use or communication through play equipment. The record should explain the factor and its effect on the encounter.

Can 90785 be billed by itself?

No. It is an add-on code and must be reported with an eligible primary psychiatric procedure, such as 90791, 90792, or a psychotherapy service.

Does a difficult or lengthy session alone support 90785?

No. Session difficulty or length alone does not establish interactive complexity; document the specific communication circumstance that complicated the service.

Is interpreter use an example of interactive complexity?

It can be when an interpreter is needed to overcome a communication barrier during the psychiatric service. Document the interpreter’s role in facilitating the clinical exchange.

How does CMS treat payment for 90785?

CMS treats 90785 as an add-on paid within the primary procedure’s global period. Submit it with the 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 indices and the applicable conversion factor. Unavailable or separately priced services are labeled rather than assigned a made-up amount.

Source: RVU26D. Effective 2026-10-01 through the day before 2027-01-01.

RVUs for 90785PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,526 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ChicoGPCI2026.csv, line 9 (RVU26D)
Open CMS sourceHow this rate is calculatedBuild a fee sheet