Mental Health Billing

[dedwards]

I just ordered the Mental Health Billing book and downloaded it.  I already see many things that will be useful.
In the book, it details codes paying 80% vs. 50% as per the "1997 Bulletin.  Since the bulletin is 12 years old, would the same information still apply?
Thank you very much for always being so helpful.  All of you are wonderful.
Debbie

[PMRNC]

I don't have the guide, however the coinsurance level will vary by carrier, most of them still pay out at 50% and most also include a cap limit (20-30 visits) usually.

Best thing to do is always verify eligibility and Benefits.

[Michele]

The bulletin in the book is strictly for Medicare.  It was still accurate but there is something coming in 1/2010 that will change it.  Something called the Mental Health Parity Act, effective 1/1/2010.  It is national and will affect all mental health services.

Glad you found the book helpful.

Michele

[rachel]

May I ask how you guys stay up to date on all things billing?  It seems like there are constant changes and I was wondering what the best (other than your forum of course) way is to know what has or is about to change that will affect us and the dr's?  There is so much info out there...

[Pay_My_Claims]

I sign up for the updates from Medicare regarding DME. I also subscribe to a couple of other specialty newsletters. There are things that are general and others that are specific. It is a lot, but one thing that I know is nobody knows it all, and that is why forums can be helpful.  I also get the updates from insurance carriers. I sign up under their websites for the emails.

I don't know what your specialty, but definately keep up with medicare & medicaid.

[Steve Verno CMBS, CEMCS]

Rachel.

Education doesnt end when we complete our school training.  It continues every day.  There are seminars and confefrences offered all the time.  Many are through the various Billing and Coding Associations.  In the Miami area, Blue Cross used to offer monthly meetings to discuss various topics.   

We get newsletters and e-mails from insurance companies, associations, medical societies, and regulatory agencies.  For example, the following is from an e-mail I got yesterday from Florida Medicare:

Modified: 8/11/2009Location: FL, PR, USVILine of Business: Part B
It is practice for physicians to retain substitute physicians to take over their practices when they are absent for reasons such as vacation, or continuing medical education. These substitute physicians are called locum tenens physicians. [CMS Internet Only Manual (IOM), Publication 100-04, Chapter 1, Section 30.2, 11]
I would go to that location in the message and look at the Pub 100-04 reference. if it is a pdf file, I save it for later reference.  I also have Adobe Acobat which allows me to convert a screen capture of a website to pdf. 

We also get help from each other on news we've received or seen.  For example, in 2010, Medicare is proposing to not pay consultation codes.  This can be found here:

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press/release.asp?Counter=3469&intNumPerPage=10&checkDate=&checkKey=&srchType=1&numDays=3500&srchOpt=0&srchData=&keywordType=All&chkNewsType=1,+2,+3,+4,+5&intPage=&showAll=&pYear=&year=&desc=&cboOrder=date

www.federalregister.gov/inspection.aspx#special or

http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/public-inspection/index.html

I spend about 2 hours each day to do research on anything new out there.  They say knowledge is power.  It does no good to hold onto news that benefits others.  Everyone benefits when we all help each other.

[PMRNC]

<sigh> all that work and research when you have ME??

 

[Steve Verno CMBS, CEMCS]

I know, my wife always tells me I do things the hard way.  But, we're glad to have you there for us. 

[Michele]

No matter how long you've been doing this there is always more to learn!

Michele

[rachel]

Thank you all for your input...I guess I was wondering if there was a specific place to gather all the info but it seems as if its scattered.  I actually already get the Medicaid newsletter as one of my dr's is strictly medicaid!  I want to stay on top of matters and while this website is a wealth of information and I look forward to reading it everyday, I was hoping to find out if there was a particular resource to get updates about the ICD-10 and things of that nature!   There is so much to be learned!!!  Thanks again everyone!