It's a simple truth: If you're a psychotherapist, and don't take insurance, you're missing out on many potential client referrals. And chances are you've lost some terrific clients who couldn't afford to continue in therapy without seeing a provider covered by their health plan. Whether you've thought about accepting insurance, you already work with a few companies, or you're an insurance "veteran," this is a must-have reference. Written by a psychotherapist with 14 years' experience working with more than 25 insurance networks, this practical manual won't gather dust on your bookshelf; you will use it again and again in your practice. In an easy-to-follow format, it answers all your questions about working with employee assistance, managed care, and traditional insurance plans. You'll get the latest information about the NEW CMS/HCFA-1500 insurance claim form released in July of 2006. The current form, used by almost all insurance plans, will not be accepted after April 1, 2007. The straightforward, line-by-line instructions to this essential new form are alone worth the cover price! Other topics include: Decoding the alphabet soup -- EAPS, HMOs, PPOs, POSs, and EPOs; common myths about working with insurance; becoming a preferred provider -- what they look for; ways to accept insurance without joining networks; how to get more referrals from insurance; why you should check a client's coverage, and the 12 crucial questions to ask; the pros and cons of accepting insurance: the secret to getting more sessions approved; parity, HIPAA, and the National Provider I.D. -- what all therapists should know; getting paid, filling out the new claim form, and tricks to speedy reimbursement; common billing practices that are actually insurance fraud; addressing confidentiality concerns; how to successfully appeal claim denials, and deciding if accepting insurance is right for you. It will answer all your questions, such as "will my treatment be mi

Navigating the Insurance Maze: The Therapist's Complete Guide to Working with Insurance -- And Whether You Should

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Barbara Griswold

Psychology & Counseling

Paper Street Press

Whether you've just thought about accepting insurance, you already are a provider for some plans, or would rather sell your soul than work with insurance, this amusing and easy-to-read manual is the guide every counselor or therapist in private practice should have to understanding the ins and outs of the insurance world. You will use this practical guide again and again as a quick reference. Using a case-example, it takes you step-by-step through every detail of working with a client's insurance. You will learn invaluable tips and tricks, such as how to join insurance networks (even if they say they are full), how to get claims paid quickly and easily, how to avoid the most frequent and costly claims mistakes that lead to denials, as well as 13 common practices that are actually insurance fraud. The book is full of worksheets and sample forms you can use in your practice, such as one with the 12 essential questions to ask when checking coverage, a sample invoice/superbill, sample appeal letter, authorization/payment tracker, self-pay agreement, and a sample completed claim form with line by line instructions. Other topics covered include the pros and cons as well as the myths and realities of working with insurance, getting raises, whether you have to become a HIPAA entity (hint: you don't), parity laws, health care reform, the secret to getting more sessions approved, how to appeal claim denials, and addressing confidentiality concerns. Now in it's third edition, this recently updated version of the original book is applicable to therapists in all states.

Navigating the Insurance Maze: The Therapist's Complete Guide to Working With Insurance -- And Whether You Should (THIRD EDITION, 2011)

LMFT

Barbara C. Griswold

Whether you've just thought about accepting insurance, you already are a provider for some plans, or would rather sell your soul than work with insurance, this amusing and easy-to-read manual is the guide every counselor or therapist in private practice should have to understanding the ins and outs of the insurance world. Even if you never sign a contract with an insurance plan, you will use this practical guide again and again as a quick reference. Using a case-example, it takes you step-by-step through every detail of working with a client's insurance. You will learn invaluable tips and tricks, such as how to join insurance networks (even if they say they are full), how to get claims paid quickly and easily, how to avoid the most frequent and costly claims mistakes that lead to denials, what to say to plans so that you can get treatment requests approved, as well as 13 common practices that are actually insurance fraud. The book is full of worksheets and sample forms you can use in your practice, such as one with the 11 essential questions to ask when checking coverage, a sample invoice/superbill, sample appeal letter, authorization/payment tracker, private-pay agreement, and a sample completed claim form with line by line instructions. Other topics covered include the pros and cons as well as the myths and realities of working with insurance, getting raises, whether you have to become a HIPAA entity (you don't), parity laws, health care reform, the secret to getting more sessions approved, how to appeal claim denials, and addressing confidentiality concerns. Now in it's fourth edition, version of the original book is applicable to therapists in all states. Previous editions of this book received excellent reviews on Amazon, averaging 5 star ratings

Navigating the Insurance Maze: The Therapist's Complete Guide to Working With Insurance (FOURTH EDITION, 2013)

If you're a psychotherapist and don't accept insurance, you re losing clients who need to use their health benefits. Whether you've thought about accepting insurance, you work with a few plans, or just need help understanding how to deal with your client's insurance plans, this is a must-have reference for therapists nationwide. Even if you just give clients an invoice to submit to their health plan, there is much you need to know about what this can mean for you and your clients. This easy-to-read manual will teach you what EVERY therapist needs to know about insurance, and serve as your essential reference, answering all your questions about working with employee assistance, managed care, and traditional insurance plans. Topics include: * How to join plans -- even if they say they're full * Keeping the new client -- even if you are not on their plan * Getting paid: Insider tips for avoiding denials * The secret to getting more sessions approved * Is it possible to get raises? * Healthcare reform, parity &amp; HIPAA * Will your treatment be micro-managed? * Complete instructions for the CMS-1500 claim form * 12 crucial questions to ask when checking insurance * 13 common practices that could cost you your license * How to successfully appeal denials * Is taking insurance right for you? Using a case example, this manual takes you through every detail of working with a client's coverage. You ll get line-by-line instructions for claim forms, and useful sample forms including a sample claim form, invoice/superbill, payment tracker, appeal letter, and form to use when checking benefits.

Navigating the Insurance Maze: The Therapist's Complete Guide to Working With Insurance (2014 - FIFTH EDITION)

Mental Health

A MUST-HAVE REFERENCE FOR ALL PSYCHOTHERAPISTS! NEWLY UPDATED AS OF OCTOBER 2015 WITH ICD-10 EXAMPLES, AND APPLICABLE NATIONWIDE! Whether you've thought about accepting insurance, or just want to understanding how to deal with your client's insurance plans, this book is for you. Even if you just give clients an invoice to submit to their health plan, there is much you need to know about what this can mean for you and your clients. With all the recent changes in the insurance field, it is hard to keep up. This easy-to-read manual will teach you what EVERY therapist needs to know about insurance, answering all your questions about working with employee assistance and private insurance plans. Topics include: * The new ICD-10 diagnoses and what you need to know to avoid denials * How to join plans -- even if they say they're full * Keeping the new client -- even if you are not on their plan * Getting paid: Insider tips for avoiding denials * The secret to getting more sessions approved * Is it possible to get raises? * Healthcare reform, parity and HIPAA * Will your treatment be micro-managed? * Complete instructions for the CMS-1500 claim form * 13 crucial questions to ask when checking insurance * 13 common practices that could cost you your license * How to successfully appeal denials * Is taking insurance right for you? Using a case example, this manual takes you through every detail of working with a client's coverage. You ll get line-by-line instructions for claim forms, and useful sample forms including a sample claim form, invoice/superbill, payment tracker, appeal letter, and form to use when checking benefits. REVIEWS: "I bought an earlier edition of this book when starting my practice 2 years ago. Since then with Barbara's guidance I've received 141 new clients. It also helped me win over $1000 of claims that had been denied." -- Dr Linda Koch "This is a great book. It is the GPS therapists need for navigating the insurance maze." --Jeffrey Zeig, PhD.

Navigating the Insurance Maze: The Therapist's Complete Guide to Working With Insurance -- And Whether You Should (2015 SIXTH EDITION)