90839: Psychotherapy for crisis, first 60 minutes
90839 covers an urgent, unscheduled assessment and intervention with a client in crisis: a life-threatening or highly distressing situation that needs immediate attention. It is the first 30 to 74 minutes; 90840 adds each 30 minutes after.
- Kind
- CPT code
- Family
- crisis
- Time
- 30 to 74 minutes
- Who bills
- Therapists, Psychologists, Associates
- Telehealth
- Eligible
- Add-on
- Stands alone
When to use it
Use it when the session is a crisis response: safety assessment, de-escalation, mobilizing supports, and disposition. It replaces the routine psychotherapy code for that visit; you do not bill both.
When not to
Do not use it for a scheduled session where a difficult topic came up. Do not use it under 30 minutes (bill the appropriate psychotherapy code). Do not add 90785 to it.
With children and families
With children the crisis usually reaches you through a parent. Document the presenting risk, your assessment of the child, the safety plan agreed with the parent, and any referral or report. If you had to reach a crisis line or emergency service, record the time and who was contacted. On Emora the clinical team is reachable in real time; note any consultation.
Questions about 90839
- Can 90839 be billed by telehealth?
- Yes, with the payer's telehealth rules; document the location of the child and any in-person supports.
- What if the crisis session lasts two hours?
- 90839 for the first 74 minutes, then 90840 for each additional 30 minutes.
- Can I bill 90839 and 90837 the same day?
- No. Crisis codes replace the psychotherapy code for that visit.
Related
General information for licensed clinicians, not billing advice. Insurers reimburse each code differently and payer contracts control; Emora handles the billing.
Bring your license. We bring the families.
Apply to Emora Health. You see your per-session pay inside the application, before any call, and you hear back within 48 hours. Less than 7% of applicants are accepted.