CPT 90853 Medicare and Medicaid FFS in California (2026)

Official California Medicaid FFS for CPT 90853 (Group psychotherapy) is $3.47 from Medi-Cal Rates, effective 2026-08-15, verified 2026-09-10. CY 2026 Medicare non-facility PFS is $31.36 to $36.10 across 29 CMS localities. Source: CMS RVU26D, October 2026 release and the official California fee schedule. Not an MCO or commercial rate.

Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48.

Last updated 2026-10-04

Last verified 2026-09-10. Medicare effective 2026-10-01. California Medicaid FFS effective 2026-08-15 (Medi-Cal Rates).

CPT 90853 in California: Medicare localities (CMS RVU26D, October 2026 release) and Medicaid FFS (Medi-Cal Rates, eff. 2026-08-15)
Locality	Medicare non-facility	Medicare facility	Medicaid FFS	Commercial	Source
Bakersfield CA locality 54	$31.43	$24.84	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Chico CA locality 55	$31.36	$24.77	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
El Centro CA locality 71	$31.36	$24.77	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Fresno CA locality 56	$31.36	$24.77	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Hanford-Corcoran CA locality 57	$31.36	$24.77	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Los Angeles/Orange Cnty) CA locality 18	$32.61	$25.49	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Madera CA locality 58	$31.36	$24.77	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Merced CA locality 59	$31.36	$24.77	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Modesto CA locality 60	$31.36	$24.77	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Napa CA locality 51	$34.08	$26.16	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura CA locality 17	$32.29	$25.19	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Redding CA locality 61	$31.36	$24.77	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Rest Of California CA locality 75	$31.36	$24.77	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario CA locality 62	$31.49	$24.90	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom CA locality 63	$32.30	$25.31	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Salinas CA locality 64	$32.16	$25.19	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad CA locality 72	$32.42	$25.23	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (Marin Cnty) CA locality 52	$35.49	$27.01	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (San Francisco/San Mateo/Alameda/Contra Costa Cnty) CA locality 05	$35.48	$27.00	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty) CA locality 65	$36.10	$27.43	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (Santa Clara Cnty) CA locality 09	$36.05	$27.38	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles CA locality 73	$31.69	$24.84	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Santa Cruz-Watsonville CA locality 66	$32.36	$25.06	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara CA locality 74	$32.14	$25.13	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Santa Rosa-Petaluma CA locality 67	$32.66	$25.28	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Stockton CA locality 68	$31.36	$24.77	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Vallejo CA locality 53	$34.07	$26.14	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Visalia CA locality 69	$31.36	$24.77	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15
Yuba City CA locality 70	$31.36	$24.77	$3.47 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15 · verified 2026-09-10 Medi-Cal's published group therapy rate for an MD, NP or PA, billed once per session for each Medi-Cal member in the group. Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCCs and LMFTs have a separate Medi-Cal rate of $14.48. Official source	Coming soon Aetna · Anthem	CMS MPFS RVU26D · eff. 2026-10-01 Medi-Cal Rates eff. 2026-08-15

Compare an offered CPT 90853 rate in California on Contract Checker v1.3 (code and state prefilled). When UnitedHealthcare publishes rates for this code and state, the tool also compares your offer to the UHC median and the middle 80% of UHC rates, alongside Medicare and Medicaid FFS. Aetna and Anthem stay Coming soon.

Questions

What is the California Medicaid FFS amount for CPT 90853?

Official California Medicaid FFS is $3.47 from Medi-Cal Rates, effective 2026-08-15, last verified 2026-09-10.

What is the 2026 Medicare rate for CPT 90853 in California?

For CPT 90853 (Group psychotherapy) in California, the CY 2026 Medicare non-facility Physician Fee Schedule amount is $31.36 to $36.10 across 29 CMS localities. Source: CMS RVU26D, October 2026 release, conversion factor 33.4009, effective 2026-10-01.

How does California Medicaid FFS compare to Medicare for CPT 90853?

California Medicaid FFS is $3.47; Medicare non-facility PFS is $31.36 to $36.10. These are different programs. The Medicaid cell is official fee-for-service only, not an MCO or commercial contracted rate. Source: https://mcweb.apps.prd.cammis.medi-cal.ca.gov/rates?tab=rates.

Where is the official California Medicaid FFS source for CPT 90853?

California Department of Health Care Services / Medi-Cal: Medi-Cal Rates extract (public rates table). Source page: https://mcweb.apps.prd.cammis.medi-cal.ca.gov/rates?tab=rates. File: https://mcweb.apps.prd.cammis.medi-cal.ca.gov/graphql. Last verified 2026-09-10.

Is this California CPT 90853 amount a Medicaid MCO or commercial contracted rate?

The Medicaid FFS cell is the official Medi-Cal Rates amount $3.47. That is fee-for-service, not an MCO rate. Commercial cells remain Coming soon until a parsed in-network file is loaded.

CPT 90853 Medicare and Medicaid FFS rate in California (2026)