90840: Psychotherapy for crisis, each additional 30 minutes
90840 is the add-on to 90839 for crisis sessions that run past 74 minutes. Each unit is 30 additional minutes.
- Kind
- CPT code
- Family
- crisis
- Time
- Each additional 30 minutes after the first 74; one unit per 30 minutes
- Who bills
- Therapists, Psychologists, Associates
- Telehealth
- Eligible
- Add-on
- Add-on only
- Pairs with
- 90839
When to use it
Add it, in 30-minute units, once a crisis session exceeds 74 minutes. It never stands alone.
When not to
Do not use it without 90839 on the same claim, and do not use it to extend a routine session.
With children and families
Long crisis sessions with children usually involve waiting with the family while a plan is put in place or a higher level of care is arranged. Document the ongoing clinical work during the extra time, not only the wait.
Questions about 90840
- How many 90840 units can I bill?
- As many 30-minute units as the crisis service actually ran, documented.
- Can 90840 be used with 90837?
- No. Only with 90839.
Related
| Code | What it is | Time | Who bills | Telehealth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90839 | Psychotherapy for crisis, first 60 minutes | 30 to 74 min | Therapists, Psychologists, Associates | Yes |
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.