In this guide, you can find answers to frequently asked questions about managing group appointments.
Note: To view other guides on group appointments, see Setting up group appointments and Adding progress notes for group appointments.
Below, we'll cover:
- Can I use group appointments for family, support groups, or non-monogamous relationship sessions?
- How can I enable group appointments and telehealth on the Essential plan?
- What happens to group appointments if I remove the add-on in the Essential plan, or move to the Starter plan?
- What CPT code can I use for group appointments based on my specialty?
- Can a group be managed by multiple clinicians?
- Can clients book group appointments online?
- Can I have a conversation with all clients in a group appointment via Secure Messaging?
- What can I access for group appointments based on my role?
- Can I access group appointments on mobile?
Can I use group appointments for family, support groups, or non-monogamous relationship sessions?
Yes, but each member of the family, support group, or relationship will need their own client profile. To create a client profile, see Adding a new client and navigating your Clients and contacts list.
How can I enable group appointments and telehealth on the Essential plan?
If you’re the Account Owner, you can add group telehealth to your practice by navigating to Settings > Practice > Plan info and toggling Group Appointments on.
What happens to group appointments if I remove the add-on in the Essential plan, or move to the Starter plan?
Past group appointments will still be accessible in your account, including their progress notes. However, all future group appointments will need to be deleted before you can remove the add-on or move to the Starter plan.
Note: Alternatively, future group appointments can be updated so that Video Office is no longer the assigned location. To change the location of an appointment, see Editing a group appointment.
What CPT code can I use for group appointments based on my specialty?
Important: The following information is only recommended. To confirm whether these can be used for your services, consult the insurance payer or an applicable regulatory body.
For a list of recommended CPT codes for group appointments, see the table below:
| Specialty | CPT code |
| Behavioral health therapy |
90853 90849 90785 (add-on code) |
| Dietetics or nutrition counseling | 97804 (billed in units of 30 minutes) |
| Occupational therapy | 97150 |
| Physical therapy | 97150 |
| Speech-language pathology | 92508 |
Can a group be managed by multiple clinicians?
While an appointment can only be assigned to one clinician, multiple clinicians can have access to the profile of a client in a group appointment. To learn more, see Granting and revoking clinical access.
Note: The Account Owner and clinicians with entire practice access have access to all client profiles. For more information on what each clinician has access to regarding group appointments, see What can I access for group appointments based on my role?
Can clients book group appointments online?
Clients can’t book group appointments online at this time.
Can I have a conversation with all clients in a group appointment via Secure Messaging?
Secure Messaging currently doesn’t have the functionality for a clinician to message all clients in a group appointment at the same time.
What can I access for group appointments based on my role?
Note: Certain clinicians can access more information about group appointments if they’re granted access to some or all clients associated with the appointment. To learn more, see Granting and revoking clinical access.
| Role | Access |
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Without client access:
With access to some clients:
With access to all clients:
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Without client access:
With access to some clients:
With access to all clients:
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If no additional permissions are enabled:
If the additional permission to View client documents is enabled:
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If no additional permissions are enabled:
If the additional permission to View client documents is enabled:
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If assigned to a clinician with access to some clients:
If assigned to a clinician with access to all clients:
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Can I access group appointments on mobile?
Group appointments will appear on your calendar in the mobile app. To view the clients in a group appointment, select the appointment from the calendar and click Clients.
If you’d like to view additional details or make scheduling and billing changes to group appointments, you can do this through the SimplePractice web app.