We strongly recommend against billing multiple intake sessions using CPT code 90791. This is because, most often, this CPT code would be inaccurate after the first session, constituting possible insurance fraud, but most likely a denial of the claim. If a patient has seen a different therapist during that billing year, we advise you to […]
Mental Health Billing Q&A #3: How to Prevent Data Errors
We often have new providers giving us incorrect information, wondering why claims aren’t being paid. It’s critical to get front and back photocopies of the insurance card(s) from your new patients upon their first visit, as well as having them fill out an intake form (you can find ours here). This simple step will make […]
Billing Q&A #2: Understanding Timely Filing Denials for Mental Health Billing
Timely filing denials are the most common denials that we deal with at TheraThink when a new provider brings us their old claims to see if we can help. In these cases, there is nothing we can do if the claims were not submitted within the timely filing window. Timely filing for Medicare in one […]
Mental Health Billing Q&A #1: Can Your Billing Company Change Your Rates?
The answer is definitely no. Your contracted rate is agreed upon when signing your each contract you have with each insurance company. We’ve had providers demand that they be paid more as a result of our services. This is a fruitless request. The allowed amount is agreed upon as a result of the contract signed […]
3 Free Tools To Automate Your Private Practice: Google Voice [Phone], Doodle [Scheduling], and Square [Payment Processing]
This short article will point you in the direction of three free tools to automate your private practice! You’ll be able to register a free business line, automate your patient scheduling, and take credit card payments on your smart phone! You shouldn’t have to manager every damn second of your private practice. These three tools […]
United Health Care 45 vs 60 Minute Session Policy
Just a quick post about United Health Care, Optum, and United Behavioral Health Plans and how they are handling CPT codes 90834 vs 90837. All Optum, UBH, and UHC plans will automatically approve CPT code 90834 (45 – 55 minute individual therapy sessions) without authorization. But you’ll now need to obtain authorization for individual sessions […]
United Health Care, Optum, United Behavioral Health – What’s The Deal?
This short article will explain how these insurance companies relate, what questions to ask to make sure you’re in network, and how to file claims. Please note: YOU ARE NOT ON THE UHC WEBSITE United Health Care (UHC), Optum, and United Behavioral Health (UBH) are all “Optum” companies which handle mental health claims. All of […]
How to Verify Eligibility and Benefits for Mental Health Providers [with Scripts]
This short guide will teach you how to prevent mental health insurance claim denials from happening, why they happen most often, and the scripts to use to prevent rejected claims in the future. Denied claims are the plague of mental health practitioners who take insurance. “You did a great job in therapy.. but we’re not […]
How to Skip Insurance Phone Systems and Speak to a Representative [2016 Edition]
Another short and simple tidbit from TheraThink’s expertise! If you know you need to get directly to a rep to ask questions, you can try the following three techniques to skip the “IVR” (automated phone system) and get directly to a human. Start saying “help” and “representative”. Often the phone system will ask you to […]
Ideal Days & Times to Call Insurance Companies for Mental Health Providers [2016 Edition]
This will be a short and sweet blog post relaying our expertise to you folks! When should you call insurance companies? The best way to answer this question is actually: when should you not call insurance companies! Avoid Calling Insurance Companies on: Monday Friday Avoid Calling Insurance Companies During These Hours: 11am – 1pm First thing in […]
