CPT® code 90838 is used to bill 60-minute psychotherapy sessions conducted with an evaluation and management (E/M) component. This code represents a session where a physician or other qualified mental health provider delivers both talk therapy and medical assessment/intervention, typically for an established patient.Key facts about CPT® Code 90838Service type: Psychotherapy with E/MSession length: 60 minutesSetting: Outpatient, office-based or telehealthProviders: Psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or other licensed prescribers who can deliver both therapy and medical managementTypical use case: A psychiatric follow-up visit where the provider assesses medication needs, adjusts treatment plans, and provides in-depth psychotherapy.CPT® Code 90838 componentsTo report 90838, a provider must:Provide a full E/M service (e.g., medication evaluation, risk assessment, treatment planning)Deliver at least 60 minutes of psychotherapyDocument both components clearly in the chart: medical decision-making or time for E/M, and therapy details (e.g., modality, patient response, duration)The psychotherapy portion may involve techniques such as CBT, psychodynamic therapy, or supportive counseling. The E/M portion may include assessment of symptoms, adjustment of psychotropic medication, coordination with other care providers, or addressing medical comorbidities.90838 is often used when treating:Major depressive disorder with comorbid medical conditionsBipolar disorder requiring medication management and therapyPTSD where trauma-focused therapy is paired with pharmacologic supportComplex anxiety disorders requiring integrated careChronic pain or insomnia being addressed through psychopharmacology and behavioral strategiesPayer guidelines and documentation tipsInsurers typically require that the psychotherapy and E/M portions are both medically necessary and clearly distinguished in documentation. Providers should:Specify total time spent and break out minutes for E/M and therapy if possibleLink interventions to active diagnosesJustify medication changes or continuation with clinical rationaleNote patient response and therapeutic progressTelehealth and CPT® 90838CPT® 90838 is approved for telehealth by many payers, especially when video is used. During the COVID-19 PHE and in its aftermath, many states and private insurers permanently adopted telehealth parity for mental health services. Always verify payer-specific guidelines.How OptiMantra supports billing for 90838For integrative and psychiatric providers, OptiMantra’s EMR makes it easy to document, code, and bill for CPT® 90838. The platform:Supports dual documentation for psychotherapy and E/MAllows time tracking to meet compliance needsIntegrates diagnosis, medications, and therapy notes in a single workflowEnables telehealth appointments with compliant documentation fieldsAutomates coding prompts based on visit contentWhether you're a solo psychiatric NP or part of a collaborative wellness team, OptiMantra helps ensure your CPT 90838 encounters are fully documented, easy to bill, and seamlessly integrated into your patient care model.Try OptiMantra for free !Jessica CastroJessica is a Massachusetts-based LPN with 13+ years of experience in patient care, healthcare technology, and education. As the Implementation and Customer Success Manager at OptiMantra, she helps providers optimize EMR solutions for better workflows and patient outcomes. With a Bachelor's in Community Health and a Master's in Healthcare Innovation in progress, she is passionate about leveraging technology to improve care delivery. Through her writing, she shares insights on healthcare best practices, EHR optimization, and patient advocacy to support providers in delivering exceptional care.Related articlesJuly 2, 20253 min readJuly 2, 20253 min readJuly 2, 20253 min readWe are a community-driven, next-generation seamless EMR and practice management platform that helps integrative and wellness practitioners manage their clinics and serve their patients efficiently and effectively.CompanyPractitionersCopyright ©2025 OptiMantra, Inc. , Comprehensive guide to CPT code 90838—learn time requirements, documentation, modifiers, telehealth use & billing tips for 60‑min psychotherapy add‑on sessions., Understand CPT® Code 90838 for 60-minute psychotherapy sessions with evaluation and management. Learn documentation tips, common use cases, and how OptiMantra simplifies billing..