The impact of telehealth on mental health billing

Telehealth, also known as telemedicine or virtual care, has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth allows patients to access healthcare services remotely through video conferencing, phone calls, or secure messaging. It has become an essential tool for mental health providers, who have used it to continue providing care to patients while complying with social distancing guidelines.

Telehealth has had a significant impact on mental health billing, as it has changed the way mental health services are delivered and reimbursed. In this blog, we will explore the impact of telehealth on mental health billing.

  • Reimbursement Policies:
    Telehealth reimbursement policies vary by state, insurer, and plan. Historically, many insurers did not cover telehealth services, and those that did typically paid less than in-person services. However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many insurers and government programs have expanded their telehealth coverage and increased reimbursement rates to encourage its use. As a result, mental health providers can now bill for telehealth services at the same rate as in-person services.

  • Billing Codes:
    Mental health providers use specific billing codes to bill for their services. Historically, there were separate codes for in-person and telehealth services, which could make billing for telehealth services more complicated. However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded the list of eligible telehealth services and created new billing codes for telehealth services. These changes have made it easier for mental health providers to bill for telehealth services and receive reimbursement.

  • Patient Eligibility:
    In some cases, patients may not be eligible for telehealth services, depending on their insurance plan and the state in which they live. For example, some insurance plans may require patients to have a pre-existing relationship with their mental health provider before they can receive telehealth services. Additionally, some states have restrictions on the types of services that can be provided through telehealth, which could limit access to certain mental health services. Mental health providers should check with their patients’ insurance plans and the state regulations to determine eligibility for telehealth services.

  • Documentation Requirements:
    Documentation requirements for telehealth services are generally the same as for in-person services. Mental health providers should document the telehealth services provided, including the patient’s name, date of service, duration of service, and a description of the service provided. Additionally, mental health providers should document the type of technology used for the telehealth service and any issues encountered during the session.

In conclusion, telehealth has had a significant impact on mental health billing. While there are still some challenges and limitations associated with telehealth services, the expansion of telehealth coverage and billing codes has made it easier for mental health providers to bill for telehealth services and receive reimbursement. Mental health providers should stay up-to-date on the latest telehealth regulations and policies to ensure they can provide the best possible care to their patients while still receiving fair compensation for their services.