Telehealth is reshaping behavioral health, offering therapy from the comfort of home. But, the billing process can seem complex. If that sounds like you, this guide is here to help. We’ll simplify how to bill for telehealth in behavioral health, making sure you’re ready to get compensated for mental health services.
Types of Covered Mental Health Services
First up, let’s look at the services you can bill for in telehealth. These usually include:
- Initial consultations with a client, where you assess their needs and plan their treatment.
- Individual therapy sessions focus on the client’s mental health issues.
- Group therapy sessions with multiple clients, often targeting a shared issue or goal.
- Family therapy involving family members is aimed at improving family dynamics.
- Psychiatric evaluations/assessments by a psychiatrist to diagnose mental health conditions.
- Medication management for managing and adjusting psychiatric medication.
- Knowing the above service types ensures you bill accurately.
Common CPT Codes for Mental Health Telehealth
Telehealth CPT Codes for Psychotherapy
Accurate mental health billing involves using CPT codes that match the services you provide. For psychotherapy via telehealth, common codes are:
- 90832: for sessions lasting 30 minutes.
- 90834: for sessions lasting 45 minutes.
- 90837: for sessions lasting 60 minutes.
Choosing the correct code for the service you provide enables you to bill correctly.
Common CPT Code Modifiers for Mental Health
Modifiers add extra details about a service. For telehealth, you’ll often use:
- 95 modifier indicates you conducted the service through telehealth.
- The Gt modifier shows you provided the service via video and audio.
These modifiers make it clear that you held the session remotely.
Tips for Improving Mental Health Billing
Smooth billing is vital for your mental health practice. Here are some tips to help:
Stay Up to date
Billing rules change, so keep up with the latest updates to ensure accurate billing and reimbursement.
Verify Insurance Coverage
Checking eligibility beforehand is one of the best practices in the medical billing process. Hence, always check if your client’s insurance covers telehealth before you start.
Document Everything
Keep detailed records of each session. This is important for billing and reviewing sessions. Proper documentation ensures smooth reimbursement and prevents claim denials.
Communicate With Clients
Make sure your clients understand the costs and billing process. This helps prevent confusion later.
Use the Right Software
Billing software designed for telehealth can simplify your billing process. Hence making medical billing easier for behavioral health telehealth.
Consider Outsourcing
Outsourcing billing tasks to a mental health billing company can streamline processes, reduce errors, and ensure compliance. It allows practitioners to focus on patient care while experts handle administrative duties efficiently.
Conclusion
Billing for telehealth in behavioral health may seem difficult at first, but with the right knowledge and tools, it’s very manageable. By knowing which services you can bill for, using the right CPT codes and modifiers, and following some best practices, you can ensure a smooth billing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Code Telehealth Insurance Claims for Mental Health?
When coding insurance claims for telehealth, accuracy is crucial. Always use the right CPT codes and modifiers to clearly describe the service and ensure it aligns with the treatment you provided.
What Is the Cpt Code for Telehealth for Mental Health?
For telehealth in mental health, common CPT codes include 90832, 90834, and 90837, depending on the length of the session. Remember to use the correct modifier to indicate that you conducted the session via telehealth.
