Payer × CPT
What BCBS pays for a 90834
Therapists reported 18 BCBS rates for CPT 90834 between August 2023 and October 2026. The median was $87, with a range of $46 to $135. The code covers individual psychotherapy, 38 to 52 minutes.
Reported BCBS 90834: median $87, range $46–$135, middle half $61–$105, about 102% of the 2026 national Medicare reference for a master's-level clinician (18 reports · August 2023 to October 2026 · updated 2026-10-21)
The same payer's reported 90837 median is $121 across 186 reports, which puts 90834 $34 below it. Holding the payer constant leaves differences in state, license, route, and reporting period between the samples. Both figures remain self-reported.
Across every payer in the set, the reported 90834 median is $83 over 114 reports. The 90834 page breaks that figure out by payer, route, license, and state.
BCBS 90834 by state
| State | Median | Range | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $119 | $91–$135 | 4 |
| Texas | $61 | $56–$61 | 3 |
| California | $99 | $91–$106 | 2 |
| New Jersey | $83 | $74–$92 | 2 |
| Oklahoma | $60 | $55–$64 | 2 |
| Georgia | $53 | $46–$61 | 2 |
BCBS 90834 by route
| Route | Median | Range | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headway | $61 | $55–$106 | 9 |
| Direct contract | $108 | $91–$135 | 7 |
BCBS 90834 by license
All 18 BCBS 90834 reports
| Route | St | License | Rate | Effective | Note / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headway | TX | LCSW | $61.28 | October 2026 | submitted |
| Headway | CA | LMFT | $106.40 | October 2026 | submitted |
| Direct contract | MA | PhD/PsyD | $135.41 | October 2026 | submitted |
| Grow Therapy | GA | LPC/LMHC | $45.60 | August 2026 | submitted |
| Headway | NY | LPC/LMHC | $83 | August 2026 | submitted |
| Headway | OK | LPC/LMHC | $55.13 | August 2026 | submitted |
| Headway | OK | LPC/LMHC | $64.15 | August 2026 | submitted |
| Direct contract | IA | LPC/LMHC | $123.30 | July 2026 | Rates went up for 90834 slightly in July 2026 submitted |
| Headway | GA | LPC/LMHC | $61 | January 2026 | submitted |
| Direct contract | CA | LCSW | $91.12 | January 2026 | 80% of National CMS rate, even though the rate for California is much higher submitted |
| Direct contract | MA | PhD/PsyD | $135.19 | September 2025 | submitted |
| Direct contract | MA | LCSW | $101.98 | September 2025 | submitted |
| Headway | TX | LCSW | $61.28 | September 2025 | PPO Plan submitted |
| Headway | TX | LCSW | $56 | September 2025 | HMO Plan submitted |
| Direct contract | IL | LCSW | $107.81 | June 2025 | submitted |
| Alma | MA | LCSW | $91 | August 2024 | *licensure in MA is LICSW submitted |
| Direct contract | NJ | LPC/LMHC | $91.54 | July 2024 | submitted |
| Headway | NJ | LCSW | $74 | August 2023 | submitted |
Related: all BCBS reports, 90834 across every payer.