CPT · Psychotherapy
90847: Family psychotherapy with the patient present
90847 reports family or conjoint psychotherapy of approximately 50 minutes with the identified patient present. The treatment must be directed at the patient's condition, not at the family members as patients in their own right.
What it covers
The session is billed under the identified patient, and the note must connect the family work to that patient's diagnosis and treatment plan. Participation by family members is a means of treating the patient, not a separate service to them.
The companion code covers family psychotherapy without the patient present, which carries its own payer coverage rules and is more often excluded.
When to use it
- Conjoint sessions addressing family dynamics that affect the patient's condition
- Caregiver involvement in a treatment plan where the patient participates
Where the boundary sits
| Compared with | The deciding rule |
|---|---|
| 90846 | 90846 is the equivalent session without the patient present, and coverage for it is narrower. |
| 90837 | Individual psychotherapy is reported when the session is with the patient alone, even if family were briefly present. |
Documentation that keeps it paid
- Who participated and in what role
- How the family work targets the identified patient's treatment goals
- Session duration and interventions used
Denial & audit triggers
Session not tied to the patient's plan
Notes that read as family counseling in general, rather than treatment of the identified patient's condition, are denied on medical necessity.
Billed under the wrong member
The claim goes under the identified patient. Billing under a participating family member creates eligibility and necessity denials at once.
How it pairs with other codes
- Same-day individual and family sessions are subject to payer-specific limits and often require review
Questions we get asked
- Who is the claim billed under for family therapy?
- The identified patient whose diagnosis and treatment plan the session addresses, regardless of who else attends.
Reference only, and typical rather than universal: coverage, modifier requirements, and payment vary by payer, plan, state, and provider type. Confirm current payer policy before billing. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association; official descriptors are not reproduced here.
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