Billing and coding
What you need to know about billing for telehealth
Here's how to bill for telehealth appointments, which CPT codes to use, and more.
February 17, 2025 • Updated on December 9, 2025
7 min read
If you bill insurance as a therapist, congratulations: You’ve already done the time-consuming legwork of getting credentialed and enrolled as an in-network provider. But even after you’ve established yourself with insurance payers, billing can still come with a learning curve.
For example, you may be wondering about the difference between billing in-person and telehealth therapy appointments. While the process can involve some different steps, once you learn them, filing telehealth claims can be as seamless as billing for in-office sessions. Read on for answers to all your questions about billing for telehealth.
Key takeaways
- Telehealth billing is similar to in-person billing — with some additional requirements, such as adding place of service (POS) codes and CPT code modifiers.
- POS and modifier codes are used to capture exactly where and how a virtual session took place, including where the client was located and the technology used.
- Headway supports teletherapy with a free, integrated telehealth platform and enhanced reimbursement rates for providers.
Is billing for telehealth different from in-office visits?
There are a few distinctions in how to bill insurance for telehealth appointments. While you’ll likely use the same CPT codes as you would for an in-person appointment, you’ll also need to provide additional details to insurance payers in your claim. For example, you’ll need to add a place of service (POS code) along with a modifier add-on code for telehealth appointments.
Payers may vary in their specific requirements, so always work closely with insurance companies to be sure you are filing claims correctly. Headway makes this process easy for providers by adding the POS to the claim ahead of time, so the only thing you need to do is document where the visit took place. Headway also reviews the payer documentation guidelines so our therapy templates have all of the required components.
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What services can be provided via telehealth appointments?
As a general rule, you should be able to provide any mental health service you can offer in person through telehealth (including, for example, crisis therapy). During the pandemic, many insurance payers created waivers allowing telehealth appointments. Many of these waivers are still in place, making therapy more accessible for many clients and more efficient for providers. However, you should still check regulatory requirements, including local or state requirements, to make sure of this.
Telehealth reimbursement rates
Telehealth reimbursement rates vary depending on several factors, including the service you provide, the insurance contract, and your geographic location.
Many states have parity laws requiring insurance to cover telehealth services as they would in-person services. Some states also have laws requiring payers to reimburse these services at the same rates. Every state is different; some pay 80 to 90 percent of in-person rates.
Code differences for telehealth
Places of service (POS) telehealth codes
When providing telehealth services, you’ll need to make note of your client’s location during the time of therapy.
Below are common examples of POS telehealth codes used by therapists:
- 10: Telehealth provided in a patient’s home
- 11: Telehealth provided in an office
- 12: Telehealth provided in a private residence other than a hospital or other facility
- 13: Telehealth provided in an assisted living facility
- 14: Telehealth provided in a group home
Telehealth CPT codes
While there are some CPT codes specific to telehealth, providers do not often use them. Instead, it’s more common to use normal mental health procedure codes along with a CPT code modifier and place of service code. The following CPT codes are approved for mental health telehealth billing:
- 99201 - 99215: Evaluation and Management Service Codes
- 90791 and 90792: Diagnostic Interview
- 90832: Psychotherapy for 30 Minutes
- 90834: Psychotherapy for 45 Minutes
- 90837: Psychotherapy for 55+ Minutes
- 90836: Add-on CPT Code for Individual Psychotherapy
- 90838: Add-on CPT Code for Individual Psychotherapy with E/M Services
- 90845: Psychoanalysis
- 90846: Family Psychotherapy without the patient present
- 90847: Family Psychotherapy with the patient present
Modifiers for telehealth appointments
Rather than using telehealth-specific codes, most mental health providers add modifiers to standard CPT codes when billing for telehealth. There are two primary modifiers that can be used for telehealth appointments.
The most common modifier for telehealth appointments is CPT code modifier 95, which covers synchronous telemedicine rendered via real-time, interactive audio-visual systems (such as Zoom or Doximity). CPT code modifier GT functions essentially the same, but is geared toward larger organizations (like hospitals). Since Medicare stopped accepting code modifier GT, this code has become less common.
As a best practice, check with your insurance payer to determine which modifier code to use when filing telehealth insurance claims. Headway providers don’t need to include modifiers, as we take care of this portion of billing for you.
Common mistakes when billing telehealth therapy
Some common billing mistakes are the same across in-person and virtual sessions, such as selecting the wrong CPT code, failing to capture all required session details, or submitting a claim late.
But there are some common errors specific to telehealth billing. Therapists may get tripped up if they forget to include a POS code or CPT code modifier — or if they pick the wrong ones. (Remember, many CPT codes have been updated since the pandemic!) Therapists who offer telehealth across state lines may also forget to check regulations in each state, leading to unnecessary mistakes.
Make telehealth billing frictionless with Headway
As a therapist, you should be able to focus on providing therapy to your clients. Along with managing the insurance credentialing process, Headway supports providers by making telehealth billing easier — and ensuring you get paid as quickly as possible.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical, legal, financial, or professional advice. All decisions should be made at the discretion of the individual or organization, in consultation with qualified clinical, legal, or other appropriate professionals.
© 2025 Therapymatch, Inc. dba Headway. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.
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