Which CPT code is used for initial diagnostic evaluation?

• A. 90791
• B. 90832
• C. 90834
• D. 90847

Answer: (B)

In many outpatient mental health workflows, the initial diagnostic assessment is built into the first psychotherapy visit. The CPT code for a 30-minute psychotherapy session is used to capture that initial evaluation and start of treatment in one encounter, so it’s coded as 90832. This reflects that the clinician is not only providing therapy but also conducting the initial assessment, forming the diagnosis, and outlining the treatment plan within that visit. If the evaluation were truly standalone, without any psychotherapy delivered in the same encounter, another code like 90791 would be used. The other options represent longer psychotherapy sessions or family-focused therapy, not an initial diagnostic evaluation. Always follow payer-specific guidelines, but in typical practice, the initial diagnostic assessment is billed as the first 30-minute psychotherapy session.