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Billing code

K209A — Group psychotherapy – out-patient, 3 people

Out-patient group psychotherapy, 3 people

Bill K209 per member per half-hour unit for out-patient group psychotherapy with 3 people, for the first 12 units per day.

Watch for: Use the code for the actual group size; units after 12 are K206, and only one group at a time.

Code

K209A

Description

Group psychotherapy – out-patient, 3 people

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 for out-patients in a group of 3 people, paid per member per half-hour unit.

What it covers

Psychotherapy is treatment for mental illness, behavioural maladaptations or emotional problems where the physician deliberately builds a professional relationship to remove, modify or slow symptoms and promote personal growth (GP56).

K209 is out-patient group psychotherapy when the group has 3 people, billed per member for the first 12 units per day (A190).

Billing rules

• Paid per group member per ½-hour unit; the code depends on the number of people in the group (A190).
• The group-size rates cover the first 12 units per day; further units are K206, maximum 6 per patient per day (A190).
• Only services to one group at a time are payable (A190).
• Billed in ½-hour units: 1 unit = at least 20 minutes, 2 = 46, 3 = 76, 4 = 106, then every 30 minutes more; count only direct contact time, excluding other separately billed services (GP54–GP55).
• Time must be consecutive, and start and stop times must be in the chart or the service is not payable (GP55, GP7).
• Not payable the same day as an obstetrical delivery by you for the same patient (GP56).
• Not payable the same day as a consultation or assessment by you for the same patient, unless the two have clearly different diagnoses (GP55).
• Can be done by video or phone with an existing relationship; add K300A or K301A (Appendix J, A70).

Often billed with

• K206 for additional units beyond the first 12 per day (A190).

Common rejections

• AT3: Billed as virtual care (K300A/K301A) and OHIP found no existing patient-physician relationship, such as an in-person service by you in the past 24 months (A66).

Related codes: K208, K203, K204, K205, K206, K197

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Consultations and Visits, Psychiatry (19), page A190; rules GP54–GP56.

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