CPT code 90837 is used for individual psychotherapy sessions that last over 53 minutes, and it is not intended for use in couples therapy.
For couples therapy, mental health professionals typically use CPT code 90847, which is specifically designated for family psychotherapy with the patient present. Couples therapy is considered a form of family therapy, and CPT code 90847 can be used when the therapist is working with both partners to address issues that affect the relationship.
It’s important for mental health professionals to use the appropriate CPT code for the services they provide to ensure accurate billing and reimbursement. Using the wrong code could result in delayed or denied claims, or other billing errors that could be difficult to correct.