Group Psychotherapy - Extended Sessions

If 90853 is the CPT® code used for group psychotherapy sessions, is there a special coding used for extended group psychotherapy sessions (for instance, 1.5 units)?

re: Group Psychotherapy - Extended Sessions

No, there is not

re: Group Psychotherapy - Extended Sessions

If there's no distinct code, how can the insurance company take into account the extra time charged to the patient for the extended session?

re: Group Psychotherapy - Extended Sessions

If you consider the session "extended", what is normal time? Psychotherapy may be conducted with several patients in a group setting. The personal dynamics of an individual may be discussed by the group and the dynamics of the group
may be explored at the same time. Interpersonal interactions, skill-building, and support, are examples of the processes in group settings. Interventions may be focused on skillbuilding and subsequent behavioral change. The groups may vary in duration typically from 60 to 120 minutes. If you feel you have exceeded "normal time" then it's a discussion you need to have with the payor.

re: Group Psychotherapy - Extended Sessions

In the case, the sessions are scheduled for 90 minutes (compared to the "normal" length of 1 hour). The provider (an IOP) bills the individual in 1 hour increments. For instance, the cost of the "normal" (1 hour) session is $120. This extended bession is billed at 1.5 units, or $180 for the session. How can the insurance carrier reconcile the .5 unit if there is no distinction in the 90853 code for the length of a group therapy session?