Mental health services, for which billing may prove a challenge, include:
- Screening and treatment of mental health problems (e.g. depression);
- Coordination and case management;
- Consultation with other providers;
- Use of telemedicine for service provision (important in rural areas);
BILLING FOR ACTUAL TIME OF SERVICE:
Many physicians spend a significant amount of time engaged in counseling patients or coordinating patient care. The CPT nomenclature for Evaluation and Management (E/M) coding defines counseling as a discussion with the patient and / or family or other caregiver concerning one or more of the following areas: Diagnostic results, impressions, and / or recommended diagnostic studies, Prognosis, Risks and benefits of management (treatment) options, Instructions for management (treatment) and / or follow-up, Importance of compliance with chosen management (treatment) options, Risk factor reduction, Patient and family education.
Please contact us for a free advisory consultation with more information on this topic.