Psychotherapy for patients in crisis

90839 is the code for psychotherapy for crisis; first 60 minutes. 90840 is an add-on code for each additional 30 minutes of time spent with a patient who is in crisis. These codes do not have CPT^® limitations on place of service. They would typically be provided in an outpatient or office setting or in an emergency department. CPT^® describes the service this way.

“Psychotherapy for crisis is an urgent assessment and history of a crisis state, a mental status exam, and a The treatment includes psychotherapy, mobilization of resources to defuse the crisis and restore safety, and implementation of psychotherapeutic interventions to minimize the potential for psychological trauma. The presenting problem is typically life
threatening or complex and requires immediate attention to a patient in high distress.”

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