From Credentialing to Coding: Starting Your Mental Health Practice the Right Way:

Starting a mental health practice is exciting, but success takes more than clinical skills. To thrive, you need to understand credentialing, billing, and especially mental health coding.

Credentialing: Your First Step
Before seeing clients, you need to get credentialed with insurance companies. This process allows you to become an in-network provider and get reimbursed for your services. It can take 60–120 days, so start early or work with a credentialing service to speed things up.

Know Your Mental Health Coding
Mental health coding is how you bill insurance for your services. Common CPT codes include 90791 for intake evaluations and 90837 for 60-minute therapy sessions. Using the wrong code can delay payments or trigger audits, so accuracy is key.

Get Help with Billing
Managing insurance claims, tracking payments, and handling denials can be overwhelming. Many therapists choose to outsource billing to specialists trained in mental health coding to avoid errors and improve cash flow.

Set Up Smart Systems
Use a HIPAA-compliant EHR, streamline scheduling, and keep your documentation organized. These systems help your practice run smoothly and ensure your coding and billing stay on track.

By focusing on credentialing and accurate mental health coding from the start, you’ll build a solid foundation for a successful and sustainable practice.

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