Here’s how to find the CPT codes you need

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes are five-digit codes used by healthcare providers to describe medical, diagnostic, and therapeutic services for billing and documentation purposes.

CPT codes provide healthcare professionals with a standardized language for efficiently coding medical and behavioral health services. Along with billing, CPT codes are used for processing claims with insurance payers. 

Filing an insurance claim for psychotherapy requires assigning a CPT code to each session. The code should describe the level of service you provided. 

CPT code categories

Most health care professionals, including therapists, use five-digit CPT codes—or category I codes—which encompass well-established procedures. Category II CPT codes are supplementary codes that involve gathering information about quality of care; they’re not reimbursable. Category III CPT codes involve new technologies and procedures. 

What does a CPT code look like?

CPT codes are typically five-digit numeric codes. Some CPT codes are one letter and four numbers, but those are generally used for non-physician services (for example, providing durable medical equipment, medications, and supplies). 

Which CPT codes you use depends on a few factors, such as if you’re a therapist or prescriber or whether you’re seeing a new or existing client. Some of the most common behavioral health CPT codes include: 

• CPT 90791—Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation
• CPT 90792—Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation with medical services
• CPT 90785—Interactive complexity code
• CPT 90839 and 90840—Psychotherapy for crisis
• CPT 99203–99205 and 99213–99215—E/M codes