Navigating the Insurance Maze: The Therapist's Complete Guide to Working With Insurance --And Whether You Should (EIGHTH EDITION 2020)

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 would rather sell your soul than join an insurance network, this is a must-have reference. 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 new eighth edition has been updated to include how to bill for telehealth sessions, and documentation requirements for insurance plans. This easy-to-read manual will also 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: 1) How to join plans -- even if they are full 2) Getting paid: Insider tips for avoiding denials 3) The secret to getting more sessions approved 4) Is it possible to get raises? 5) The most common mistake many therapists make 6) Will your treatment be micro-managed? 7) Keeping the new client even if you aren t on his plan 8) Complete instructions for the CMS-1500 claim form 9) 14 crucial questions to ask when checking insurance 10) Common billing practices that are actually fraud, 11) How to successfully appeal denials, 12) 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 sample forms including a sample claim form, invoice/superbill, payment tracker, appeal letter, and form to use when checking benefits.

Barbara Griswold, M.S., is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 30 years of experience as a provider for more than 20 insurance networks. In addition to her private practice in San Jose, California, she provides consultations (in-person, or via phone or email) to therapists nationwide with insurance questions and problems, and has presented to hundreds of therapist groups on the ins and outs of working with insurance. She has been interviewed on NPR s Morning Edition, and her articles have appeared in Psychotherapy Networker and The Therapist magazines. Barbara previously served as Orals Examiner for the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, and on the Ethics Committee for the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Barbara publishes a free monthly e-newsletter called What Every Therapist Should Know About Insurance. Check out her website at theinsurancemaze.com for more information.