Behavioral Health Billing, Coding and Reimbursement News from InstaCode Institute

Mental Health Coding News

April 16, 2010 - Medicare Suspends Claims Payments

Medicare will NOT be processing claims for the next 10 business days while Congress figures out what to do with the fee schedule. Click here to read more.

January 4, 2010 - Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Limitation (Medicare) Eliminated!

It is finally happening! Section 102 of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008 amends section 1833(c) of the Social Security Act (the Act) to phase in a 5-year reduction to the payment that Medicare patients are required to make for outpatient mental health servies that are subject to the outpatient mental health treatment limitation (the limitation). Payment for outpatient mental health services will gradually reduce from 2010-2014. Effective January 1, 2014, the limitation will no longer exist and Medicare will pay outpatient mental health services at the same level as other Part B services.

The 2010 Behavioral Health MultiBook contains further details and information on this fantastic news! Order yours today!

Medicare Note: "The Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Limitation (the limitation) is not applicable to CORF services because CORFs do not provide services to treat mental, psychoneurotic and personality disorders that are subject to the limitation in section 1833(c) of the Act. For dates of service on or after July 7, 2008, CPT code 96152 is the only CPT code allowed for health and behavioral intervention services provided in a CORF. This service is not subject to the limitation because it is not a psychiatric mental health treatment service. For dates of service prior to July 7, 2008, the limitation was applied to certain outpatient mental health treatment services when provided in a CORF. For additional information on the limitation, see Publication 100-01, Chapter 3, section 30 and Publication 100-02, Chapter 12, sections 50-50.5."

December 15, 2009 - InstaCode Institute announces new website focused on Behavioral Health Billing, Coding & Reimbursement Issues

InstaCode Institute is pleased to introduce a new website dedicated to helping all mental health professionals with their billing and coding needs - www.PsychCode.com . Over the years, it has become apparent that although there are many similarities regarding reimbursement issues for all coding professionals, the unique needs of billing therapeutic services needed a place to call their own. Their current website, www.InstaCode.com will continue to provide coding and billing products for all health care professionals.

This new focus will make it easier for mental health care professionals to find the tools and services they need to get their jobs done easier and faster than before. During 2010, www.PsychCode.com has exciting plans for even more helpful features.

Coding Changes for 2010

Coding changes for 2010 have been announced. ICD-9-CM codes, CPT codes and HCPCS code sets have been updated for 2010 and are now available for purchase. Codes for Behavioral Health are included in the 2010 Behavioral Health MultiBook.

CPT® has 224 new codes and hundreds of other changes.
ICD-9-CM has 313 new codes and hundreds of other changes.
HCPCS has 156 new codes with over 100 other changes.

Check our list to see if codes that you use might be on the deletion list.

September 10, 2009 - Healthcare Reform and Behavioral Health Providers

There has been considerable debate recently in the political arena regarding health insurance. No one really knows how all the different proposed bills will finally play out. However, some interesting developments pertain specifically to Behavioral Health Providers.

The American Psychological Association has made considerable effort to get specific terminology and benefits included into the new medical insurance reform bills. Some examples are:
1. Include substance abuse and mental health treatment as part of the required insurance plans.
2. Integrate psychologists and psychological services into community-based teams of health professionals in the primary care setting, and
3. Include terminology so that psychologists are specifically mentioned in the definition of health professionals.

Meanwhile, legislative efforts in the House of Representatives seems to have averted a pay cut for 2010. We hope that this provision is not cut on the floor. Any final fee changes will be included in the 2010 Behavioral Health MultiBook. Click here to view.

For additional coding news, please visit:

www.InstaCode.com/news

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Archived News:

January 1, 2009 - Medicare Expands Telehealth Services

CMS now covers telehealth (telemedicine) services. Read more...

July 2008 - CMS Provides Questions and Answers on the Testing Codes. Read more...

January 1, 2006 - New Mental Health Testing Codes

Effective January 1, 2006, every office should use the new testing codes. Code 96100 has been replaced with 3 new codes. Read more ...