|  | Public Health & Safety | CPR

CPT Code 90853: Group Counseling Under Evaluation and Management

CPT 90853 – Group Psychotherapy

Code: 90853

Descriptor: Group psychotherapy (other than of a multiple-family group).

Key Details

  • Setting: Outpatient, partial hospitalization, IOP, community mental health.
  • Group Size: Typically 4–12 patients (varies by payer).
  • Duration: 45–60 minutes (documented start/stop times).
  • Provider: Psychiatrist, psychologist, LCSW, LPC, LMFT, psychiatric NP/PA (per state scope).
  • Documentation Required: Group theme, interventions, individual participation, progress toward goals, medical necessity.

Distinctions

Billing Notes

  • Report per session per patient (each member billed separately).
  • Modifier -95 for telehealth (if payer allows).
  • Not billable with individual therapy same day (usually).
  • Medical necessity: DSM-5 diagnosis, treatment plan, functional impairment.

Verify specific payer policies (Medicare, Medicaid, commercial) for frequency limits, group size, and documentation requirements.

CPR - Related Articles

Health Sciences © https://www.222health.com

CodeService
90853Group psychotherapy (interactive, process-oriented)
90849Multiple-family group psychotherapy
90887Interpretation/explanation of results to family/others (not group therapy)
97150Group therapeutic procedures (OT/PT/SLP) – not psychotherapy