For a therapy session to be billable to health insurance, how long must it be performed?

The standard for a therapy session to be considered billable to health insurance typically requires that the session lasts at least 8 to 15 minutes. This timeframe aligns with the billing codes and guidelines established by insurance companies, which dictate that a minimum duration is necessary for the service to be considered valid for reimbursement.

Sessions that are shorter than this required minimum often do not meet the criteria set forth, leading insurance providers to deny claims. The 8 to 15-minute range helps ensure that adequate care and treatment are provided, allowing practitioners to document the services rendered appropriately. This length also allows for a sufficient therapeutic interaction between the provider and the patient, making it both effective and compliant with billing standards.

Longer session lengths are not necessarily required for basic therapy services, while shorter sessions typically fall below acceptable limits for billing, reinforcing the importance of adhering to this range.