PANEL AUTHORITYUSA

Payer Rate Benchmarking Report · 2026-Q1

Texas Reimbursement Rates
for Independent Therapists

What Aetna, Cigna, Optum/UHC, and BCBS are paying independent therapists in Texas. Broken down by CPT code. Updated quarterly.

Independent Contract Rates by Payer

These are estimated reimbursement rates for independently credentialed therapists in Texas. Rates vary by contract, location, and negotiation.

CPT CodeAetnaCignaOptum/UHCBCBS
90791
Diagnostic Evaluation (Intake)
$172$165$168$178Highest
90834
Individual Therapy — 45 min
$115$108$112$120Highest
90837
Individual Therapy — 60 min
$148$140$145$155Highest
90847
Family Therapy with Patient
$140$132$138$145Highest

What You're Leaving on the Table with Platforms

This is what the same CPT codes pay through managed platforms vs. your own independent contracts. The difference is money you keep.

CPT CodeIndependent AvgHeadwayAlmaGrow TherapyYou Keep More
90791
Diagnostic Evaluation (Intake)
$171$125$130$133+$46/session
90834
Individual Therapy — 45 min
$114$83$87$89+$31/session
90837
Individual Therapy — 60 min
$147$107$112$115+$40/session
90847
Family Therapy with Patient
$139$101$106$108+$38/session

What this means for a typical caseload

If you see 25 clients per week using CPT 90837 (60-min individual therapy):

vs. Headway
$48,000
more per year
($1,000/week)
vs. Alma
$42,000
more per year
($875/week)
vs. Grow Therapy
$38,400
more per year
($800/week)

Payer Ranking for Texas

Based on average reimbursement across all four CPT codes.

1BCBS
$150 avg
2Aetna
$144 avg
3Optum/UHC
$141 avg
4Cigna
$136 avg

Important Notes

  • Rates shown are estimates based on aggregated data from independent therapist contracts in Texas. Your actual rates may vary based on license type, specialty, geographic sub-region, and individual contract negotiation.
  • Platform rates are calculated using publicly reported platform differentials applied to the independent average for this state.
  • This report is updated quarterly. Last update: 2026-Q1.

Want payer-specific strategy for your practice?

This report shows the landscape. A Strategy Session tells you exactly which payers to prioritize, what rates to negotiate, and how to sequence your credentialing for maximum revenue impact.

Book a Free Strategy Call →

Free · Texas-specific · No commitment