Mental Health CPT Codes

Reference for the CPT billing codes most commonly used in mental and behavioural health, psychotherapy, evaluation, assessment scoring, and evaluation/management services. Cross-referenced to the ICD-10 diagnosis codes and validated scales each pairs with.

U.S. only. CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) is maintained by the AMA and licensed for use in the United States. Other countries use different billing systems, Canada's provincial codes (OHIP, MSP, RAMQ, etc.), UK's NHS billing, Australia's MBS item numbers, etc.

Reimbursement is approximate. Amounts are national medians for commercial payers and vary substantially by payer, state Medicaid program, and contract. Verify with your specific payer fee schedules.

CPT 96127, bills PHQ-9, GAD-7, and other brief scales

  • Featured

    96127 is the CPT code for brief emotional/behavioural assessment with scoring and documentation. Up to 4 units per visit. Bills the administration of validated screeners commonly used in measurement-based care: PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5, AUDIT, ASRS, and similar brief scales. Reimbursement is small per unit but compounds quickly across patient panels.

    Read the 96127 reference →

Codes by category

  • Assessment

    • 96127· Brief emotional/behavioral assessment

  • Evaluation

    • 90791· Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation
    • 90792· Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation with medical services

  • Psychotherapy

    • 90832· Psychotherapy, 30 minutes
    • 90834· Psychotherapy, 45 minutes
    • 90837· Psychotherapy, 60 minutes

  • Family

    • 90846· Family psychotherapy without patient
    • 90847· Family psychotherapy with patient

  • Group

    • 90853· Group psychotherapy

  • Testing

    • 96130· Psychological testing evaluation, first hour
    • 96131· Psychological testing evaluation, additional hour

  • E/M

    • 99213· Office visit, established patient, low complexity (E/M)
    • 99214· Office visit, established patient, moderate complexity (E/M)

All codes

  • CodeServiceTypical reimbursement
    96127Brief emotional/behavioral assessment$4–6 per unit
    90791Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation$140–$200
    90792Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation with medical services$160–$220
    90832Psychotherapy, 30 minutes$60–$95
    90834Psychotherapy, 45 minutes$95–$140
    90837Psychotherapy, 60 minutes$130–$180
    90846Family psychotherapy without patient$110–$150
    90847Family psychotherapy with patient$120–$160
    90853Group psychotherapy$30–$50 per patient
    96130Psychological testing evaluation, first hour$130–$180
    96131Psychological testing evaluation, additional hour$110–$140
    99213Office visit, established patient, low complexity (E/M)$80–$120
    99214Office visit, established patient, moderate complexity (E/M)$120–$170

Detail pages coming for the highest-volume codes. Want a specific one prioritized? Let us know.

CPT vs ICD-10, the two-code rule

  • Behavioural health claims almost always require both a CPT code and at least one ICD-10 code:

  • CPT

    Describes the service performed, what was done (e.g., 90834 = 45-minute psychotherapy session).

  • ICD-10

    Describes the diagnosis, why it was done (e.g., F33.1 = recurrent moderate depression).

  • The CPT code drives reimbursement; the ICD-10 code establishes medical necessity. A claim with a CPT code but no ICD-10 code is typically denied, and vice versa.

    See the ICD-10 reference for diagnosis codes most commonly paired with mental health CPT codes.

Put this guide to work with measurement-based care

Frequently asked questions

  • What are CPT codes used for in mental health?

    CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes are 5-digit numbers maintained by the AMA used to describe services for billing. In mental health, CPT codes describe the service rendered (e.g., 90834 for 45-minute psychotherapy, 96127 for brief assessment scoring). ICD-10 codes describe the diagnosis being treated.

  • What is the most common CPT code for therapy?

    90834 (Psychotherapy, 45 minutes) is the most commonly billed psychotherapy code. 90837 (60 minutes) is also common; 90832 (30 minutes) is less frequently used for full sessions.

  • What CPT code is used for PHQ-9 / GAD-7 administration?

    CPT 96127 covers the administration and scoring of validated brief screeners. Up to 4 units per visit. Reimbursement is typically $4–6 per unit; up to $24 per visit for a full battery.

  • What's the difference between CPT and ICD-10?

    CPT describes the service performed; ICD-10 describes the diagnosis. Both are required on most behavioural health claims. CPT drives reimbursement; ICD-10 establishes medical necessity.

Sources & Citations

    1. 1.American Medical Association. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) 2026.
    2. 2.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Physician Fee Schedule.
    3. 3.American Psychiatric Association. CPT Coding for Psychiatric Services.