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
No Surprise Act May Be a Surprise
No Surprises Act May Be a Surprise Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday celebration and got some time to relax and recharge. Because change is here. Effective January 1, 2022, the new NO SURPRISE ACT (NSA) is an unwelcome surprise for many therapists! Very briefly, the … [Read more...] about No Surprise Act May Be a Surprise
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 Telehealth We’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 … [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, … [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 … [Read more...] about Are Discharge Summaries Mandatory?
Documenting Mental Health CPT Code 90837
Many therapists provide a 60 minute session but afraid of triggering an audit, they do not bill for it. We love our work but unless we are independently wealthy, we need to be paid to do it. We don’t get paid for providing psychotherapy. We get paid for our time. Psychotherapy is what we spend our … [Read more...] about Documenting Mental Health CPT Code 90837