Can someone read this and help me

I have been to a psychiatrist and I can not understand how he is billing me. The codes he gives in the invoice are 99214 and 90838. I looked them up and the second codes says 60 mins of psychotherapy. However I never see him for that long. He is always late and today I saw him for probably 30 mins. Has anyone else had this problem? And how can he charge me for more time?

the codes depend on what coding system your psychiatrist is using, and what type of insurance plans you are on..

I dont know about your psychiatrist but here in NY and with my own psychiatrist and therapist billing for 60 minutes is standard. my psychiatrist only spends about 20 minutes with me each visit but he still has to bill for the whole hour because after seeing me he must write up his session notes, recommendations, problems I discuss with him, changes, treatment plans...and he also consults with my other treatment providers so that they are all on the same page/treatment plans for me. I see my therapist for what we call a 50 minute hour meaning Im with her for 50 minutes but she still bills the insurance for a fill 60 minutes due to her having to spend time with updating my files, writing session notes, and other treatment plan stuff already mentioned.

you can find out what the codes mean by contacting your psychiatrist. he will explain what coding system he is using and why he is billing you for a full 60 minutes.

O ok that makes sense too. Maybe that's what he is doing. He too is in NYC. But see him in nj. But he sees another patient immediately after I leave so idk?

He is billing according to the new billing rules for Medicare. You may not be a Medicare member, but many providers bill the same way for all insurances when Medicare changes a rule.
Changes to behavioral health CPT codes coming January 1 | The Connection Online

I would talk to your psychiatrist about the length of time you see him, and maybe ask if you are to see him for 60 minutes since that's what he is billing.

At some point he still has to write up his notes and make any necessary phone calls, etc.; some just group it differently, maybe only see patients until 2:00 p.m. and then do 3-4 hours of paper/administrative work, something like that.