Top Mental Health Billing FAQs and How EBS Can Help
Billing in the mental health field can be complicated, time-consuming, and frustrating. Whether it’s navigating insurance codes, facing claim denials, or keeping up with reimbursement timelines, these challenges can take a toll on your practice. But what if there was a way to simplify this process and make it work for you? That's where Elite Billing Service (EBS) comes in. We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of mental health billing so you can focus on what you do best, providing quality care to your clients.
With over 20 years of experience in medical billing and a specialization in mental health services, we understand the unique challenges providers face. From modifiers to reimbursement timelines, we’ve seen it all and helped countless practices streamline their billing processes. Below, we answer some of the most common questions related to mental health billing and show how EBS can make a real difference for your practice.
1. What Are Modifiers and When Should I Use Them?
Modifiers are essential for ensuring your claims are processed correctly. In mental health billing, the right modifier ensures that you are paid accurately for your services. For example, modifiers like -GT (telehealth) and -95 (telemedicine) are commonly used for virtual services. In addition, place of service (POS) codes are crucial for indicating where the service was provided, whether in-person (POS 11) or via telehealth (POS 02).
How We Can Help:
We’ll guide you through the proper use of modifiers and place of service codes, ensuring your claims are compliant with payer guidelines. With our expertise, you won’t have to worry about whether you’re using the right modifier or POS code or if they’re being applied correctly.
2. Why Are Some Claims Denied for Missing or Incorrect Information?
One of the most frustrating aspects of billing is dealing with denials. Missing or incorrect information is a common cause of claim rejections. Whether it's inaccurate patient details, coding errors, or missing documentation, claim denials slow down the reimbursement process.
How We Can Help:
At EBS, we review every claim before submission to ensure that all patient information is correct, the right codes are used, and documentation is complete. This proactive approach reduces errors, minimizes denials, and saves you time by ensuring your claims are accurate from the start.
3. What’s the Timeline for Reimbursement?
Reimbursement timelines are generally consistent, but insurance companies can take time to process claims. Knowing when and how to follow up is key to ensuring you get paid in a timely manner.
How We Can Help:
We track all claims and ensure timely follow-up with insurance companies. By staying on top of claims, we address any delays and help resolve issues before they become problems, allowing your practice to maintain steady cash flow.
4. How Can I Ensure Proper Reimbursement for Mental Health Services?
Proper coding and documentation are critical for receiving reimbursement for your services. It’s also important to be familiar with insurance-specific requirements, such as pre-authorizations, eligibility checks, and treatment plans.
How We Can Help:
At EBS, we help ensure that your coding is correct, your documentation meets payer standards, and pre-authorization requirements are met. By handling these details, we help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure your services are reimbursed fairly.
5. Do I Need to Submit Documentation for Every Claim?
For LMFTs, LCPCs, and LCSWs, it’s generally not necessary to submit documentation with every claim. However, if insurance companies request additional information, having it readily available can save you time and prevent further delays.
How We Can Help:
We maintain accurate and organized records for all your claims, ensuring that clinical notes and treatment plans are easy to access when needed. We’ll also handle any requests from insurance companies, so you don’t have to worry about scrambling for documentation.
6. What Should I Do if My Claim Is Denied?
Claim denials are a common part of the billing process, but they don’t have to be the end of the road. Identifying the reason behind the denial and correcting any errors can help you resubmit your claim for reimbursement.
How We Can Help:
At EBS, we specialize in managing denied claims. We’ll help you understand why a claim was denied, correct any mistakes, and resubmit it for processing. If needed, we’ll even assist in the appeals process to ensure you get paid for the services you've provided.
7. Can I Bill for Telehealth Services?
Telehealth has become an essential part of mental health care, but many providers struggle with the specifics of telehealth billing, especially when it comes to using the correct modifiers and ensuring compliance with payer requirements.
How We Can Help:
We make telehealth billing simple by ensuring that you’re using the appropriate modifiers (like -GT or -95) and that your claims meet all payer guidelines for virtual services. You can rely on EBS to handle the details so you can focus on providing quality care via telehealth.
8. How Do I Handle Insurance Contracting?
Insurance contracting can be a complex and time-consuming process. It’s essential to understand the details of your contracts, including reimbursement rates, payer networks, and in-network vs. out-of-network status.
How We Can Help:
We assist in reviewing and negotiating insurance contracts to ensure that you’re getting the best rates and that you’re in-network with the payers that matter most to your practice. We’ll also help you navigate the complexities of insurance credentialing and enrollment.
Conclusion
Mental health billing doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. With Elite Billing Service (EBS) by your side, you can eliminate the stress and confusion associated with billing and focus on what matters most—providing excellent care to your clients. Our expertise in mental health billing ensures that your claims are submitted correctly, your reimbursement is timely, and your practice thrives.
Here’s what one of our clients had to say about working with EBS:
"Elite Billing Service has done the billing for my psychotherapy practice since 2017. I have found Sara to be honest, accurate, and persistent in getting payment from clients and insurance companies. I have received many positive comments from clients about how helpful she was to them."
– Richard Donaldson, LCSW
If you’re ready to simplify your billing process, reduce denials, and get paid faster, reach out to EBS today. We’d love to discuss how we can support your practice. Contact us for a free consultation and see how we can help you streamline your billing process.
Contact Us
Feel free to reach out with any questions or to schedule a consultation. We look forward to partnering with you to optimize your billing process.
