Monitor on Psychology - May 2012 - (Page 16a)

Reimbursement for Psychological Services A Guide for Practitioners from the APA Practice Organization M ore than ever before, psychologists who participate in Medicare or any other public- or private-sector health insurance plans are concerned with reimbursement for their services. In addition to providing traditional psychotherapy services, many psychologists are positioning themselves to take advantage of opportunities to participate in integrated service delivery. A first step in that process involves being familiar with the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT ®) * codes designed for use by psychologists and other providers involved with integrated service delivery: the health and behavior (H & B) assessment and intervention codes, created by the American Psychological Association. This guide for psychologists explains the H & B codes and issues related to coverage and billing. The latter portion of this publication contains additional pointers for submitting insurance claims and handling denials – including when you bill for psychotherapy and other mental health services. The Health and Behavior Codes: Integrated Service Delivery H & B codes are not used for mental health services. They apply to services that address behavioral, cognitive and biopsychosocial factors in the treatment or management of patients diagnosed with physical health problems. A physical health problem must be the primary diagnosis. The codes capture services addressing a wide range of issues related to physical health, such as: • • • • • Patient adherence to medical treatment Symptom management Health-promoting behaviors Health-related risky behaviors Adjustment to physical illness The H & B codes may be used for services provided in both outpatient and inpatient settings. *Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) Copyright 2011. American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Comparison of Medicare Services by Psychologists, 2011 Outpatient Psychotherapy 2,634,345 Health and Behavior Services 394,162 0 500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000 2,500,000 3,000,000 Psychologists delivered fewer than 400,000 units of H & B services to Medicare bene ciaries in 2011, compared to more than 2.6 million outpatient psychotherapy services. Copyright 2012 APA Practice Organization Continued on the next page

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Monitor on Psychology - May 2012

Monitor on Psychology - May 2012
Letters
President’s Column
Contents
From the CEO
Math + science + motherhood = a tough combination
The rights of indigenous people take center stage at AAAS meeting
Interdisciplinary programs that are leading the way
Good Governance Project moves into its next phase
APA publishes third edition of seminal ADHD book for kids
Government Relations Update
In Brief
Random Sample
Judicial Notebook
Psychology’s first forays into film
Time Capsule
Questionnaire
Presidential programming
Obesity researchers receive lifetime achievement awards
Top speakers for psychology’s top meeting
Science Watch
Homing in on sickle cell disease
Psychologist Profile
Alone in the ‘hole’
Public Interest
State Leadership Conference ‘12
Perspective on Practice
Education tops council’s agenda
Meet the candidates for APA’s 2014 president
Presidential election guidelines
Division Spotlight
American Psychological Foundation
Support for sexual miniorities
Personalities

Monitor on Psychology - May 2012