Reimbursement
$81.50
Threshold
30m
2026 Status
Active
What is CPT Code 90833?
CPT 90833 is defined as: Psychotherapy, 30 minutes with patient and/or family member when performed with an evaluation and management (E/M) service. This is an add-on code that must be reported in addition to a primary E/M service code.
This code is primarily used for Behavioral services. It falls under the category of Psychotherapy & Behavioral Assessments and is valid for the 2026 calendar year according to the CMS Physician Fee Schedule.
2026 RVU Components
Relative Value Units (Non-Facility)
Work RVU
1.71
Physician Effort
PE (Non-Fac)
0.62
Practice Expense
Malpractice
0.11
Risk Factor
Total RVU
2.44
Note: [(Work RVU * Work GPCI) + (PE RVU * PE GPCI) + (MP RVU * MP GPCI)] * Conversion Factor
2026 CMS Policy Intelligence
efficiency shield
Exempt from the -2.5% efficiency adjustment applied to procedural codes.
integrated model incentive
Reimbursement structure favors the E/M + Add-on model to encourage integrated physical and mental health care.
time vs mdm
Strict CMS mandate for 2026: E/M level MUST be selected based on MDM, not total time, when billed with 90833.
stacking benefit
Allows 'stacking' with G2211 to capture value for complexity (G2211) and therapy (90833).
Administrative Framework
Global Period
000
Place of Service
Key Modifiers
Required Primary Codes
Must be billed alongside a primary service.
Operational Requirements
minimum time
16 minutes (Range: 16-37 minutes)
staff type
Prescribing Psych providers (Psychiatrist, Psychiatric NP/PA)
frequency
Typically once per day per patient
add on codes
time rule
The time for 90833 must be separate and distinct from the time spent on the MDM portion of the primary E/M service.
Compliance Checklist
Audit Defense
No specific audit defense elements defined.
2026 Update
The 'Time vs MDM Trap': Using time to justify E/M prevents billing 90833 for that same time.
Common Clinical Scenarios
CMS Eligibility: Diagnosis requiring both medical management (E/M) and psychotherapy. Variable
Target Specialties & Utilization
Typical Clinical Indications (ICD-10)
Billing Differentiation
VS 90832
90832 is standalone; 90833 is an add-on to an E/M code.
VS 90836
90836 is the 45-minute add-on (Range: 38-52 minutes); 90833 is the 30-minute version.
valuation_note
wRVU for 90833 is lower than 90832 because 'pre/post-service' work is covered by the primary E/M code.
Frequently Asked Questions
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