Psychology Billing Services

Psychology practices bill mostly on time. Therapy sessions are matched to a code by how long they last. Testing is more involved, because evaluation, test administration and scoring are billed in separate parts and in hourly units. Getting the units right is a common problem.

Many psychologists also work with insurance panels that close to new providers, pay at different rates and ask for repeated authorization. Some patients choose out-of-network care and need superbills. Westmont Revenue Partners connects psychologists with vetted medical billing experts who handle these details. This page covers typical services and the issues behind most psychology billing denials.

Who this is for

• Solo and group psychology practices
• Clinical, counseling, school and health psychologists
• Psychologists who provide testing and assessment
• Telehealth-based psychology practices
• Practices that accept both insurance and self-pay clients

What gets billed

• Intake diagnostic interviews
• Individual psychotherapy at different session lengths
• Family therapy with or without the patient present
• Group therapy
• Psychological testing evaluation services
• Test administration and scoring
• Brief behavioral and emotional screening
• Health behavior assessment and intervention
• Telehealth sessions
• Reports and records requests, where billable

Commonly billed codes

Code	Type	What it covers
90791	CPT	Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation without medical services
90832	CPT	Psychotherapy, about 30 minutes
90834	CPT	Psychotherapy, about 45 minutes
90837	CPT	Psychotherapy, about 60 minutes
90846	CPT	Family therapy without the patient present
90847	CPT	Family therapy with the patient present
96130	CPT	Psychological testing evaluation, first hour
96131	CPT	Psychological testing evaluation, each additional hour
96136	CPT	Test administration and scoring by the professional, first 30 minutes
96138	CPT	Test administration and scoring by a technician, first 30 minutes
96127	CPT	Brief emotional or behavioral assessment with scoring
F43.10	ICD-10-CM	Post-traumatic stress disorder, unspecified

Note

Codes are examples for orientation, not a complete list, and do not guarantee coverage or payment. Always check current code sets and payer policy.

Billing challenges in psychology

• Choosing the session length code. The code follows the minutes of face-to-face therapy. Billers check that notes record time and match the code billed.
• Testing units. Evaluation and administration are separate and billed in units. Billers add up time carefully and watch payer unit limits.
• Test authorization. Many payers require approval before testing. Staff submit requests with a clear reason and track limits.
• Technician versus professional administration. Who gave the tests changes the codes. Records should show the person who performed each part.
• Panel enrollment. Closed networks and slow credentialing delay revenue. Billers manage applications and follow up with payers.
• Telehealth. Rules for modifiers and places of service differ by payer. Billers check current-year policy before sending claims.
• Out-of-network clients. Clients paying out of pocket need accurate superbills. Billers prepare these in a standard form.

How Westmont can help

• Match you with vetted billing experts experienced in psychology
• End-to-end revenue cycle support, from verification to payment posting
• Denial management and appeals, including testing denials
• Credentialing and panel enrollment help
• Superbill and self-pay support

Frequently asked questions

How do I bill psychological testing?

Testing is billed in parts: evaluation time, and test administration and scoring time. Each uses its own code and unit rules. Keep time records for each part and check payer policy before billing.

Which therapy code should I use?

Use the code that matches the face-to-face time spent in the session. Notes should document the time. Choosing a longer code than the time supports is a common audit problem.

Do I need authorization for testing?

Many payers do, especially for extended testing. Rules differ by plan, so verify before starting. Submit with a clear clinical reason.

Can I bill telehealth sessions the same way?

Often yes, but payers may require specific modifiers or places of service. Check current-year rules for each plan.

What documents do out-of-network clients need?

A superbill showing dates, codes, diagnosis and fees is common. Plans differ on what they accept, so clients should check with their insurer.

Related billing services

• Neuropsychology
• Counseling and Therapy
• Psychiatry
• ABA and Autism Services
• Telemedicine and Telehealth