How to Look up CPT Codes

If you’re wondering how to look up CPT Codes, you may be asking questions like “What does a CPT code look like?” Or “How do I look up CPT codes online?” Well, you’re in the right place. We have all the 411 on diagnosis code lookup.

We’re about to dive into how to look up CPT Codes, but first, let’s make sure we understand what psychotherapy CPT codes are as well as what their purpose is.

CPT codes — or Current Procedural Terminology codes — are the standard procedural language used across health care in the U.S. They describe clinical procedures and diagnostic and care activities. 

Essentially, CPT codes explain what the health practitioner did during an interaction with or for a client or patient.

Understanding where and how to look up CPT codes will help you properly bill clients and file health insurance claims with third-party payers, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers. 

Consequently, clinicians frequently find that they need to look up CPT codes.

What does a CPT code look like? 

When learning how to look up CPT codes, be aware that a CPT code is usually a five-digit numeric code. That said, some CPT codes are four numbers and one letter. A CPT code has no decimal points.

For example, the CPT code for 60 minutes of psychotherapy is 90837. This is the most common cpt codes for behavioral health practitioners. 

Another of the most-commonly used CPT codes is 90791, for psychiatric diagnostic evaluations without medical services.

And the CPT code for the first 60 minutes of psychotherapy for crisis is 90839.

The American Medical Association (AMA) developed CPT codes, and new codes come out several times each year to keep up with new developments in health care services.

Most health care providers primarily use the five-digit CPT codes considered Category I. In billing, you’ll typically use these codes most often. Category I CPT codes identify specific, well-established procedures. 

Category II CPT codes gather information about quality of care.

Finally, newer procedures and technologies use Category III CPT codes.

Where can I look up CPT codes?

Because the codes are updated each year, it may be most convenient to look up CPT codes online. 
Luckily, it’s easy to look up CPT codes within your EHR or practice management software, such as SimplePractice. Sign up for a free, 30-day trial to experience the time-saving benefits of SimplePractice’s HIPAA-compliant software.
Here are ten of the most common diagnosis code lookups for behavioral health professionals:

• 90791 Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation without medical services
• 90792  Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation with medical services
• 90832 CPT code 30 minutes psychotherapy with patient
• 90834 CPT code psychotherapy 45 minutes with patient
• 90837 CPT code psychotherapy 60 minutes with patient
• 90845 Psychoanalysis
• 90846 Family psychotherapy (without the patient present), 50 minutes
• 90847 Family psychotherapy (with patient present), 50 minutes
• 90849 Multiple family-group psychotherapy
• 90853 Group psychotherapy (other than a multiple-family group)

The AMA website also provides a way to look up CPT codes.

How to look up CPT codes on the AMA website

Be sure to check the AMA website’s section specific to current CPT codes. This will help ensure your billing coding knowledge is accurate and up-to-date as the AMA issues new codes several times per year.

To do a CPT code search on the AMA website, you need to register (for free), and you are limited to five searches per day. 

You can order the most current CPT code list as a manual in book form. However, keep in mind that the codes are updated frequently. For that reason, you will need to regularly order newer versions. 

Many professional associations of health care providers publish lists of the most common CPT codes for their respective groups.

For social workers, the NASW has a list of commonly used CPT codes within that profession. 

Hopefully you now feel confident that you know how to look up CPT codes.

Sources

1. American Medical Association (AMA), Practice Management CPT Codes

2. Barron, J. (2024), SimplePractice, Top 10 Mental Health CPT Codes

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