CPT 90887 Billing Services
CPT 90887 reports interpretation or explanation of examination and test results, and the treatment plan, to family members or others responsible for the patient. It is not a psychotherapy code — it covers structured communication about findings.
Get a free 90887 billing reviewHow 90887 gets billed cleanly
Each step is documented — miss one and the claim is denied.
What CPT 90887 covers
90887 describes conveying the results of psychiatric or medical examinations and procedures, and the implications for the treatment plan, to family or others concerned with the patient. It is distinct from psychotherapy and from the evaluation itself.
Because payer coverage of 90887 varies, the service and its purpose should be clearly documented — who was met with, what was explained, and why it was necessary for the patient’s care. We verify plan-specific coverage before billing.
It fits time spent explaining a patient’s diagnosis, evaluation results, or care plan to parents, guardians, or other involved parties — for example after an assessment or testing.
Billing requirements at a glance
| Requirement | What EnVisionMD verifies before submitting |
|---|---|
| A basis to interpret | Results of an examination, test, or procedure that are being explained. |
| Appropriate participants | Family members or others responsible for the patient’s care. |
| Clear documentation | What was explained, to whom, and its relevance to the treatment plan. |
| Coverage check | Payer coverage for 90887 is verified in advance, as it varies. |
Common 90887 denials — and how we prevent them
| Why it is flagged | How we avoid it |
|---|---|
| Coverage not confirmed | We verify plan coverage for 90887 before submitting. |
| Overlap with psychotherapy | We do not report 90887 for time that is actually family psychotherapy (90846/90847). |
| Purpose unclear | Documentation must show why the interpretation session was needed. |
Related codes we also bill
Billing rarely uses one code alone — these sit alongside 90887, each with its own page.
How EnVisionMD RCM bills 90887 for your practice
We run billing end to end — eligibility, POS and modifiers, time and medical-necessity documentation, prior-auth tracking and clean claim submission — so 90887 gets paid and stays off the auditor’s radar.
Request my free 90887 billing reviewCPT 90887 — frequently asked questions
No. It covers explaining examination and test results and the treatment plan to family or others, not delivering therapy.
It is typically furnished without the patient, with family or other responsible parties.
90846 is family psychotherapy without the patient; 90887 is interpreting results and the plan, not conducting therapy.
No — coverage varies by payer, so we confirm it before billing.