Wiki 90834 question

[RChase]

A client came in to attend group therapy but the session was cancelled. The therapist used the time instead to do some individual psychotherapy. They took a break and then continued the psychotherapy that had already been scheduled with the same therapist. Two psychotherapy services of 30 minutes each were billed 90832. We can only submit one.

My question is, can we bill 90834 instead by combining the times and notes of both sessions? The notes are different. There is a 45 minute break between the 1st and 2nd discussion.

 

[Leenahz]

Was there a total of 60 minutes of individual psychotherapy? Per the AMA, therapy is for "actual time," so if 60 minutes was spent with the client then I'd look at CPT 90837.

 

[Ovansan]

You should be able to bill for either 45 or 60 minute therapy as the notes support that amount of time for that date of service. 90834 or 90836