| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Medicare Allowed Rate What Medicare approves for this service | $112.68 |
| Typical Billed Amount What providers commonly charge | $140 – $320 |
| Potential Markup How much more you might pay vs. Medicare rate | 184% above Medicare |
What CPT 90847 Means and When It's Used
CPT code 90847 represents a family psychotherapy session that lasts 50 minutes and includes you as the patient along with family members. Your therapist uses this code when they provide counseling that focuses on family dynamics, communication issues, or relationship problems that affect your mental health.
This type of therapy is commonly used for situations like family conflicts, addiction recovery support, teenage behavioral issues, or helping families cope with mental health diagnoses. The key requirement is that you (the patient) must be present during the session - if only family members attend without you, a different code would be used.
Your therapist will typically use this code for regular family therapy appointments, whether it's your first session or part of ongoing treatment. The 50-minute timeframe is standard, though the actual session might be anywhere from 45-55 minutes.
How CPT 90847 Billing Works
When you see CPT code 90847 on your medical bill, you can expect charges to typically range from $140 to $320 per session, depending on your location and provider. Medicare reimburses this service at $112.68, though you may pay different amounts based on your specific insurance coverage.
Your insurance may cover family therapy sessions, but coverage varies significantly between plans. Some insurance companies require prior authorization for mental health services, while others may limit the number of sessions covered per year. You'll want to check your benefits before starting treatment to understand your out-of-pocket costs.
The bill will show one unit of CPT 90847 for each 50-minute family therapy session. If you had multiple sessions, you'll see multiple units listed. Your portion of the cost depends on whether you've met your deductible and your plan's mental health benefits.
How to Verify Your CPT 90847 Charges
To check if you were billed correctly for CPT 90847, first confirm that you actually attended a family therapy session with family members present for approximately 50 minutes. The date of service on your bill should match when your appointment occurred.
Compare your charges against the typical range of $140-$320. If your bill shows an unusually high amount (significantly over $320), contact your provider's billing department to ask for an explanation. Sometimes errors occur, such as billing for the wrong type of therapy session or incorrect session length.
If you believe there's an error, gather your appointment records and contact your provider's billing office first. They can review the charge and make corrections if needed. If the provider doesn't resolve the issue, you can contact your insurance company to dispute the claim. Keep detailed records of all your communications and any documentation about your therapy sessions.