2025 CPT code 90847
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Psychiatry - Other Psychotherapy Procedures Medicine Services and Procedures > Psychiatry Services and Procedures Feed
Family psychotherapy (conjoint psychotherapy) with the patient present, lasting at least 26 minutes.
Modifiers may apply depending on the circumstances of service. Consult the CPT manual and payer-specific guidelines.
Medical necessity for 90847 must be established, demonstrating that family therapy is essential to the patient's treatment.Documentation should justify the need for conjoint therapy and link it to the patient's specific diagnosis and treatment goals. Payer specific guidelines may also exist.
The therapist's responsibilities include conducting a biopsychosocial assessment of the patient and family, identifying relational dynamics affecting the patient, developing an individualized treatment plan incorporating family therapy, and monitoring progress during conjoint sessions.
- Medicine Services and Procedures > Psychiatry Services and Procedures
- Psychiatry Services and Procedures > Other Psychotherapy Procedures
In simple words: This code is for a therapy session where the patient and their family members are all present together. The therapist works with everyone to address issues affecting the patient and the family's relationships. The session must last at least 26 minutes.
This CPT code, 90847, represents family psychotherapy conducted with the patient present (conjoint psychotherapy).The session must be a minimum of 26 minutes in duration. It involves therapeutic intervention with the patient and their family to address issues impacting the patient's mental health and family dynamics.This approach aims to improve the patient's well-being by considering the interpersonal relationships within the family system.
Example 1: A 16-year-old patient with depression and family conflict attends sessions with their parents. The therapist uses conjoint therapy to address communication patterns and conflict resolution within the family., A couple undergoing marital therapy attends sessions to address communication and intimacy issues within their relationship. The sessions focus on improving communication and conflict resolution skills., A family with a member diagnosed with schizophrenia participates in family therapy sessions to help family members better understand the illness, cope with the challenges it presents, and improve support for the patient.
Detailed progress notes documenting session content, family interactions, treatment plan updates, patient and family progress, and any relevant clinical observations.Copies of relevant documents, such as initial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plan should also be included.
** Always verify the payer's specific requirements and coverage policies before billing.The use of this code requires detailed clinical documentation demonstrating medical necessity for family therapy sessions in the context of the patient's diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Revenue Code: M5B (SPECIALIST - PSYCHIATRY)
- RVU: The RVUs for this code will vary based on geographic location and payer.Consult the appropriate fee schedule for specific values.CMS conversion factors and facility/non-facility rates must also be considered.
- Global Days: Not applicable; this is not a surgical procedure.
- Payment Status: Active, subject to payer policies and medical necessity criteria.
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable; this is not a procedure with a technical component.
- Fee Schedule: Fee schedules vary based on payer and geographic location.Historical fee data can be researched via CMS and payer websites. Note that fee schedules change over time.
- Specialties:Psychiatry, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital Inpatient, Hospital Outpatient, Ambulatory Surgical Center, other settings as appropriate.