Billing code
K012A — Group psychotherapy, 4 people - per member per unit
Group psychotherapy, 4 people
Bill K012 per member per half-hour unit for group psychotherapy with exactly 4 people, for the first 12 units per day.
Watch for: Use the code for the actual group size (K020 for 3, K024 for 5); extra units after 12 are K010.
| Provider | Specialist | Assistant | Anaesthetist | Non-anaesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20.15 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
- Code
- K012A
- Description
- Group psychotherapy, 4 people - per member per unit
- FHO+ basket
- Not in the FHO+ base rate basket (Schedule 2 or 2B).
- Effective date
- Apr 1, 2026
- Termination date
- No end date
Explanation
Updated October 26, 2026
Group psychotherapy with 4 people, paid per member per half-hour unit for the first 12 units per day.
What it covers
Psychotherapy is treatment of mental illness, behavioural maladaptations or other problems assumed to be emotional, where the physician deliberately establishes a professional relationship to relieve symptoms and promote positive personality growth (GP56).
K012 is the group rate for a group of 4 people, per member, for the first 12 units per day. Other group sizes have their own codes: K019 for 2, K020 for 3, K024 for 5 and K025 for 6 to 12 (A24).
Billing rules
- Use K012 only when 4 people are in the group; a group of 3 is K020 (A24).
- Covers the first 12 units per day; additional units per member are K010, maximum 6 units per patient per day (A24).
- Outside hospital, not payable with a consultation or other assessment by you during the same visit or the same day unless there are clearly defined different diagnoses (A24, GP55).
- Units are ½ hour or major part: 1 unit = at least 20 minutes, 2 units = 46, 3 units = 76, 4 units = 106, counted on consecutive time (GP54, GP55). Record start and stop times, or it is not payable (GP7).
- K012 is a qualifying service for the focused practice psychotherapy premium; eligible physicians are paid 17% more automatically (GP56, GP57).
- May be given by video or phone as comprehensive virtual care with K300A or K301A; by phone it pays 85% (AJ1, A70).
- FHO: not on the in-basket list, which includes K004 to K008 but not the group psychotherapy codes (Agreement Schedule 2, p.79).
Often billed with
- K010 for each additional unit per member after the first 12 units that day (A24).
- K300A or K301A when the group is held by video or phone (A70).
Related codes: K019, K020, K024, K025, K010, K007, K004, K040
Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Consultations and Visits, Family Practice & Practice in General (00), Psychotherapy, Group, page A24; rules GP54–GP57.
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