What this is, in plain language
A 60-minute individual psychotherapy session with a licensed mental-health clinician.
Why a clinician orders it
Treatment for depression, anxiety, trauma, life stressors, or other behavioral-health needs.
Medical necessity — what insurers usually look at
Coverage and copays vary widely. Some plans favor 45-minute sessions (90834) over 60-minute sessions (90837) and may audit frequent 90837 billing. Mental Health Parity laws require coverage at parity with medical/surgical benefits.
Documentation to ask about
- ✓Diagnosis and treatment plan
- ✓Session length and frequency
- ✓Progress toward goals
Questions for your provider
- ?Is my therapist in-network for my plan?
- ?Do I need a behavioral-health prior authorization after a certain number of visits?
Why this code is in our seed set
One of the most-billed behavioral health codes; included in the CMS Top 200 Ranked by Services.
Validated against
- •CMS Top 200 Level I CPT Codes Ranked by Services
- •AMA CPT code 90837 descriptor
- •APA Practice Central coding guidance
Terms you'll see
Medical NecessityRead more →
The insurer is reviewing whether the service is clinically appropriate for your situation.
Prior AuthorizationRead more →
Some services may need plan approval before they are performed.
Important: AuraCode is an educational tool. It does not provide medical, legal, or insurance advice, claims decisions, or approval guarantees. Final coverage depends on your specific plan, eligibility, diagnosis, submitted documentation, and your insurer's review.