90837 with New York Medicaid (fee-for-service): what the policy says
The short answerYes. New York fee-for-service Medicaid lists 90837 for LCSWs, LMHCs and LMFTs as a session of 53 minutes or more. LMHCs and LMFTs can add 90785 when interactive complexity applies; do not report 90839 or 90840 with 90837.
By Javier Alvarez · Updated · 1 min read
1 row: Medicaid (by state) · New York. Public policy, not the member's benefits.
New York Medicaid (fee-for-service)
NYS Medicaid FFS LCSW, LMHC and LMFT Policy Guidelines (July 2025) · New York
| 90785 | Listed [1] |
|---|---|
| 90791 | Limited (billable by LCSWs; not in the LMHC and LMFT code table in this manual) [1] |
| 90832 | Listed [1] |
| 90834 | Listed [1] |
| 90837 | Listed [1] |
| 90846 | Listed [1] |
| 90847 | Listed [1] |
| 90853 | Listed [1] |
| Where it applies | Session length guides: 90832 typically 16 to 37 minutes, 90834 38 to 52 minutes, 90837 a minimum of 53 minutes. The LCSW table says not to report 90846 or 90847 for family sessions under 26 minutes; the LMHC/LMFT table says this for 90847. 90839 typically lasts 30 to 74 minutes (LCSW table). [1] |
| Other codes | For LMHCs and LMFTs, use 90785 with psychotherapy 90832, 90833, 90834, 90837 and group 90853, and not with 90839 or 90840; for LCSWs, 90785 is listed with 90791 and group 90853. 90840 is not reported with 90832 to 90837 (both tables), and the LMHC/LMFT table also bars 90839 with 90832 to 90837. [1] |
| Who can bill | LCSWs, LMHCs and LMFTs in a private or group practice enrolled in NYS Medicaid FFS can bill directly for their services and for services of supervised limited permit holders. Use your own NPI as attending provider. A LCSW may supervise up to six LMSWs. [1] |
| Also | Services in Article 28 clinics are paid to the clinic, and a professional claim cannot be billed. Fees are in the separate eMedNY procedure code and fee schedule documents. [1] |
- NY Medicaid FFS: LCSW, LMHC and LMFT Policy Guidelines (July 2025), checked October 30, 2026
What New York Medicaid (fee-for-service)'s policy says about 90837
90837 is the CPT code for psychotherapy, 60 minutes with patient. At New York Medicaid (fee-for-service) it is listed: named in the payer's public policy. Each line below is from the cited text:
- Where it is listed. 90837 is on the procedure code tables for LCSWs and for LMHCs and LMFTs. (NY Medicaid FFS, checked October 30, 2026)
- Billed with. For LMHCs and LMFTs, 90785 may be used with 90837 (the LCSW table lists 90785 only with 90791 and 90853). 90840 is not reported with 90832 to 90837, and the LMHC/LMFT table also bars 90839 with 90832 to 90837 and 90785 with 90839 or 90840. (NY Medicaid FFS, checked October 30, 2026)
- When it pays. The session typically lasts a minimum of 53 minutes; 90834 typically lasts 38 to 52 minutes and 90832 16 to 37 minutes. (NY Medicaid FFS, checked October 30, 2026)
90837 at other payers
- 90837 with Medicare: listed.
- 90837 with Illinois Medicaid (HFS), LPHA fee schedule: listed.
The rest of New York Medicaid (fee-for-service)'s psychotherapy rules
The New York Medicaid (fee-for-service) row has its codes, telehealth rule, limits and authorization, each with its source. Before the claim goes out, compare it with the row in the table above.