Medical Billing Forum

General Category => General Questions => : margemib March 13, 2009, 07:20:18 PM

: meeting with a LCSW
: margemib March 13, 2009, 07:20:18 PM

Hi Michele,
I have a meeting with a LCSW on Tues.
Do you have any tips for me.
margemib

: Re: meeting with a LCSW
: PMRNC March 16, 2009, 09:41:10 AM

My billing company mainly did mental health so I would be glad to help. What type of providers do you have already? Mental health isn't really different it's just a bit more tedious in regards to the paperwork. Also it's really important with mental health to verify benefits/eligibility and maintain a tracking system for authorizations. Therapists tend to be a bit laid back when it comes to staying on top of getting their OTR's done.
The good news is that MOST mental health providers are pretty easy going to work with.
It's also a good idea when you have an appt with any potential client to take some time and listen to their problems and concerns, find out what's working and not working now and come up with ways to fix it. With mental health providers, most of their reimbursement issues come down to lack of authorizations, not getting the initial auth's and providers not getting their OTR's in time.
Insurance carriers usually limit mental health benefits, this will be changing in the near future with the passing of the federal Mental Health Parity law.

Linda Walker
PMRNC
www.billerswebsite.com

: Re: meeting with a LCSW
: margemib March 16, 2009, 02:19:41 PM

Thank you Linda!

: Re: meeting with a LCSW
: Michele March 16, 2009, 10:09:58 PM

Margie,

   Linda had some good advice.  The only thing I would add on to is the part about taking the time to listen.  It is so important that you let them tell you what their needs/concerns are.  That way you can tell them how your service will help them with their specific needs, and you know what to look for when you start their account.

Good luck tomorrow!

Michele

: Re: meeting with a LCSW
: PMRNC March 17, 2009, 09:28:54 AM

What I usually do is ask them to run down the first problems to come into their head and tell them to go ahead and vent their frustrations. Depending on the provider I might even call them ahead of the appointment and ask them to have that ready. 99% of the time with mental health providers their problem is organization and time management.

GOOD LUCK!! Let us know how it goes!

: Re: meeting with a LCSW
: Michele March 17, 2009, 09:34:58 AM

HA!  How True!