---
title: Reviewing mental health service codes | Nextvisit
description: Review E/M codes 99213-99215, add-on codes 90833, 90836, and 90838, and standalone codes 90834 and 90837.
url: "http://localhost:3000/guides/ai-compliant-upcoding-mental-health-revenue"
type: static
generatedAt: "2026-09-04T06:57:01.631Z"
---

Guide
# Reviewing mental health service codes

Review E/M codes 99213-99215, add-on codes 90833, 90836, and 90838, and standalone codes 90834 and 90837.
       Guide / For Administrators, Psychiatrists, NPs and PAs / 4 min /  Published September 15, 2025  /  Updated November 19, 2025
![Article Image](/articles/images/nv-cbeCPJemaU0SMD3unRyjZCqSfyA.png)

Review each code against the documented service and current payer rules. Coding tools can flag possible mismatches for clinician review.

![Photo of doctors working](/articles/images/nv-MtZPGDGtDEVxcouvLO7LKmwt5aQ.png)

## Match the code to documented work

Select codes 99213 through 99215 by documented medical decision-making or total time when billed without a psychotherapy add-on. When you bill 90833, 90836, or 90838, select the E/M level by medical decision-making. Do not include psychotherapy time in the E/M selection.

## Match the billed level to the documentation

The record must support the selected E/M level. Review each suggestion before you apply it.

## Psychotherapy add-on codes

Codes 90833, 90836, and 90838 apply to psychotherapy provided with an E/M service. The psychotherapy must be significant and separately identifiable.

Document the psychotherapy time. Code 90833 covers 16-37 minutes, 90836 covers 38-52 minutes, and 90838 covers 53 minutes or more.

Review [CMS office and outpatient E/M guidance](https://www.cms.gov/sites/default/files/2022-01/Physician_Fee_Schedule__PFS__Payment_for_OfficeOutpatient_Evaluation_and_Management__EM__Visits.pdf), [CMS psychotherapy guidance](https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleStatus=A&articleid=57480&bc=5&contractorNumber=all&sortBy=title&stateRegion=s14&ver=31), and current payer rules before billing.

## E&M code selection: 99213 vs 99214 vs 99215

For codes 99213 through 99215, review the documented medical decision-making or total time. If you bill a psychotherapy add-on, use medical decision-making to select the E/M level.

## Psychotherapy code review

Code 90834 covers 38-52 minutes. Code 90837 covers 53 minutes or more. Document the session time and the psychotherapy service.

Review intervention language, treatment plan progress, risk assessments, and time before you select a code.

## Documentation requirements

The note has to support every code billed.

For an E/M level, document the medical decision-making or total time used to select the code. If you bill a psychotherapy add-on, document the separate service, intervention, response, and psychotherapy time.

Update the treatment plan when it changes. Complete a risk assessment when clinically indicated. Give a rationale for each medication change.

## Review each visit for coding accuracy

Compare each billed code with the documentation. Review each mismatch. Apply a code only when the documentation and payer rules support it.
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