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
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
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?
Use CPT Code 90837 for Higher Reimbursement Rates!
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 time doing. Other professionals charge for their time. We should too. When CPT codes for psychotherapy … [Read more...] about Use CPT Code 90837 for Higher Reimbursement Rates!
I Don’t Take Insurance. Do I Still Need to Write Treatment Plans and Progress Notes?
Yes! Documentation has always been a standard in our profession so it's required. And here are other good reasons why. Even if you do not take insurance, if you see a client who has out-of-network benefits and uses a PPO, you can still be audited. This means you still have to justify medical … [Read more...] about I Don’t Take Insurance. Do I Still Need to Write Treatment Plans and Progress Notes?