As a practice manager or owner, managing insurance eligibility and benefits verification can be a challenging task, especially in the context of behavioral health services. Behavioral health services involve a complex billing process, and it is essential to have up-to-date information about a patient’s insurance coverage to ensure proper billing and avoid claim denials.

In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for managing insurance eligibility and benefits verification for behavioral health practices.

Verify Patient Eligibility Before Every Visit

It is essential to verify a patient’s eligibility before every visit, including behavioral health services. Verify the patient’s insurance coverage for behavioral health services, deductibles,

co-payments, and other relevant information. This will ensure that you can confirm the patient’s eligibility for all services provided during the visit.

Use Electronic Verification Solutions where possible

Electronic verification solutions (EVS) can help to streamline the verification process, reducing the time and resources required to verify benefits and eligibility. Electronic systems can quickly verify coverage and eligibility online. This can help you manage the verification process more efficiently, enabling you to identify potential issues, such as lapsed coverage or incorrect information.

However, caution should be used in relying totally on electronic verification solutions. Although these systems may be designed to automate many time-consuming tasks, there is still the possibility of errors in data entry or no up-to-date information being available in the system.

In addition, EVS can’t always provide complete healthcare coverage information due to government regulations which might limit what type of claims are accepted. There is where a 3rd party billing company, such as Reliance®, can help fill in these gaps when it comes to verifying benefits and eligibility for behavioral health practice patients.

Document the Verification Process

Maintain accurate records of the verification process, including the date of verification, the verification method used, and the verification result. This will help to ensure that you have accurate and up-to-date information about a patient’s coverage and eligibility for behavioral health services. Accurate documentation will also provide a record of the verification process for billing and auditing purposes.

Stay Up-to-Date on Insurance Coverage Policies

Insurance coverage policies change frequently, so it is crucial to stay up-to-date on policy changes that may affect behavioral health services. This includes understanding coverage limitations and exclusions, reimbursement rates, and other relevant policy details. Staying informed will enable you to provide accurate information to patients and ensure proper billing and reimbursement.

Educate Patients about Insurance Coverage

It is essential to educate patients about their insurance coverage, including coverage limitations, co-payments, and deductibles. Educating patients about their coverage will help them understand what services are covered and what costs they can expect to pay. This will help to improve patient satisfaction while also ensuring proper billing and reimbursement.

Final Thoughts

Managing insurance eligibility and benefits verification for behavioral health practice can be a complex task. However, with the right tools, processes, and knowledge in place, practice managers can optimize their process to ensure accurate billing and reimbursement. With Reliance Medical Billing Solutions as your billing partner, we offer an experienced team of insurance specialists who understand how to navigate this complex landscape, and provide comprehensive solutions tailored specifically for your behavioral health practice’s needs.

Don’t let inaccurate assessments lead to costly financial losses – contact us today 717-740-2622 or info@reliancembs.com – to learn more about our medical billing solutions that allow your business to run smoothly when dealing with insurance eligibility and benefit verifications for your behavioral health patients.

With Reliance® – Medical Billing Made Simple®