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Documentation Wizard, LLC

Documenting Medical Necessity for Psychotherapists

What Makes Documentation Wizard Forms Different? (From All Other Forms)

Remember being a teenager at a high school dance?  You wanted to cut the rug, but you didn’t know how because you were never taught.  If you intuitively knew how to “just dance,” you were golden. Otherwise, you may have either flailed around imitating your friends, or hid in the corner … [Read more...] about What Makes Documentation Wizard Forms Different? (From All Other Forms)

ALERT — CareDash and BetterHelp

Watch Your BackIf you are a therapist, social worker, counselor, or psychologist, I’d like to call your attention to the fraudulent and unethical business practice of a company called CareDash.CareDash has created a directory of 1000s of therapists and your name might be on it. This may sound like … [Read more...] about ALERT — CareDash and BetterHelp

Should I Use a Treatment Planning Book?

Should I Use a Treatment Planning Book?Like many answers to questions about mental health, the answer to this common question on whether or not you should use a treatment planning book is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no.When discussing treatment plans during my trainings, I often … [Read more...] about Should I Use a Treatment Planning Book?

I’d Rather Clean the Toilet than Write Progress Notes: Making Peace With An Essential Task

Q: I love being a therapist, but I hate writing progress notes and sometimes can’t bring myself to do it. I know it’s risky not to write them. Is there a way to make this task less onerous?A: Every therapist knows that avoiding progress notes puts their practice in jeopardy. But of the thousands of … [Read more...] about I’d Rather Clean the Toilet than Write Progress Notes: Making Peace With An Essential Task

How to Document Prognosis for Mental Health

Medicare just added Prognosis to its list of documentation requirements. UGH! One more thing to think about and document. But how?What Is a Prognosis?Prognosis refers to making an educated guess about the expected outcome of treatment. Based on the medical model, it’s a prediction of a client’s … [Read more...] about How to Document Prognosis for Mental Health

How To Survive A Health Insurance Audit

The Insurance Vultures are CirclingInsurance companies have recently been conducting audits, like vultures looking for dinner. Especially Medicare.Fight, flight, freeze, or fawn! An audit letter from a health insurance company is enough to send shock waves through your body and make your mind go … [Read more...] about How To Survive A Health Insurance Audit

Can Adjustment Disorder be Billed for Longer Than 6 Months?

Is it possible to bill insurance for someone who has Adjustment Disorder for longer than 6 months? Will this be a red flag and trigger an audit? As is typical, when it comes to answers for psychotherapy – maybe and maybe not. To understand the answer to this question, it’s necessary to know the … [Read more...] about Can Adjustment Disorder be Billed for Longer Than 6 Months?

Documenting Safety Protocols for Face-to-Face Psychotherapy Sessions

Documenting Safety Protocols for Face-to-Face Psychotherapy SessionsMost people agree – change creates upset. Despite the restrictions we experience due to the Covid-19 pandemic, change seems constant. This pandemic will not let us rest in what we already know. Every week or so, there’s something … [Read more...] about Documenting Safety Protocols for Face-to-Face Psychotherapy Sessions

Helpful Guidelines to Reopening your Psychotherapist Office during the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all made changes and adjustments in our practices to safely meet the needs of our patients and continue to stay safe ourselves. Since many states are gradually relaxing their stay at home orders, you may find some or all of your clients desiring in-person … [Read more...] about Helpful Guidelines to Reopening your Psychotherapist Office during the COVID-19 Pandemic

How to Document Changes in Treatment During Covid-19 Without Writing Another Plan

Private practice therapists are expected to write a new treatment plan once a year. What happens when your well thought out plan gets thrown to the wind before it's time for an update? This scenario may be happening right now since the sudden outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Problems, goals, and … [Read more...] about How to Document Changes in Treatment During Covid-19 Without Writing Another Plan

How to Document for Tele-Mental Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Adjusting to TelehealthWe’re all trying to adjust to a new way of living and providing mental health services. I’m going to help you navigate the needs for tele-mental health documentation during the Corona virus pandemic. Most insurance companies are now finally on board with offering tele-mental … [Read more...] about How to Document for Tele-Mental Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Can Mental Health Providers Charge For Phone Calls?

Like most answers I give regarding being a mental health therapist and having a private practice, “yes” and “no.” WHY SHOULD MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS CHARGE FOR PHONE CALLS?Phone calls can take a lot of time and time is what we’re paid for.If you don’t charge for these phone calls, you are … [Read more...] about Can Mental Health Providers Charge For Phone Calls?

Are Discharge Summaries Mandatory?

Do you need to write a discharge summary as a mental health provider?Yes and no.Confusing? Definitely. That’s because the standards are not consistent from one insurance company to the next.Here’s what I can tell you:Discharge Summaries for Medicaid Medicaid requires discharge summaries for … [Read more...] about Are Discharge Summaries Mandatory?