How to Bill CPT 90840 for Psychiatric Diagnostic and Crisis Services

When to Use CPT Code 90840

CPT 90840 is used for psychiatric diagnostic or crisis-related services.

• •Service type: Behavioral health evaluation or crisis intervention
• •Focus: Assessment, stabilization, and treatment planning
• •Who uses it: Psychiatrists and qualified mental health providers

Common scenarios:

• •Initial psychiatric evaluations
• •Diagnostic assessments without ongoing psychotherapy
• •Acute mental health crises requiring immediate intervention

Insurance Verification Tips for CPT 90840

1. •Confirm payer coverage for psychiatric diagnostic or crisis services.
2. •Verify whether authorization is required.
3. •Track time carefully for crisis psychotherapy codes.
4. •Document medical necessity and patient acuity clearly.

Example Case of CPT 90840

A provider performs a psychiatric assessment or crisis intervention focused on stabilization and care planning.
The service is documented and billed as one unit of CPT 90840.