Navigating the Insurance Maze: The Therapist's Complete Guide to Working With Insurance -- And Whether You Should (THIRD EDITION, 2011)

Whether you've just thought about accepting insurance, you already are a provider for some plans, or would rather sell your soul than work with insurance, this amusing and easy-to-read manual is the guide every counselor or therapist in private practice should have to understanding the ins and outs of the insurance world. You will use this practical guide again and again as a quick reference. Using a case-example, it takes you step-by-step through every detail of working with a client's insurance. You will learn invaluable tips and tricks, such as how to join insurance networks (even if they say they are full), how to get claims paid quickly and easily, how to avoid the most frequent and costly claims mistakes that lead to denials, as well as 13 common practices that are actually insurance fraud. The book is full of worksheets and sample forms you can use in your practice, such as one with the 12 essential questions to ask when checking coverage, a sample invoice/superbill, sample appeal letter, authorization/payment tracker, self-pay agreement, and a sample completed claim form with line by line instructions. Other topics covered include the pros and cons as well as the myths and realities of working with insurance, getting raises, whether you have to become a HIPAA entity (hint: you don't), parity laws, health care reform, the secret to getting more sessions approved, how to appeal claim denials, and addressing confidentiality concerns. Now in it's third edition, this recently updated version of the original book is applicable to therapists in all states.