Documentation Wizard, LLC

Documenting Medical Necessity for Psychotherapists

Mental Health Documentation for Worker’s Compensation

Mental Health Documentation for Worker’s Compensation A therapist recently asked me how to document for a Worker’s Compensation claim.  Some companies will accept a summary of treatment.  Most will want the client’s full record.  That will include the Diagnostic Assessment, Treatment … [Read more...] about Mental Health Documentation for Worker’s Compensation

5 Types of Insurance Reviews

If you’ve ever gotten a letter from a health insurance company and felt your blood pressure spike while you open it, you’re not alone. The fear of being audited can cause as much anxiety as having a suicidal client.  But just like a range in client risk, there is more or less risk involved with … [Read more...] about 5 Types of Insurance Reviews

Winning an Insurance Audit Appeal!

I WON an Overpayment Recoupment for mental health services from Blue Cross Blue Shield! And I’m sharing what I did in case you find yourself dealing with the same thing. I got the dreaded insurance recoupment letter from BCBS saying they overpaid me (over $1700) and demanded their money back. … [Read more...] about Winning an Insurance Audit Appeal!

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 Back If 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 … [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, … [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 … [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 … [Read more...] about How to Document Prognosis for Mental Health

How To Survive A Health Insurance Audit

The Insurance Vultures are Circling Insurance 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 … [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 … [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 Sessions Most 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 … [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