Posts by Barrett Merrill
What is CARF: A Guide for Therapists
If you are a mental or behavioral health provider, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of CARF. However, you might not know what it is, why it matters, or how to obtain accreditation. Whether you’re looking to demonstrate commitment to quality or responding to payer requirements, understanding CARF can be an essential step for your…
Read MoreThe Top 5 Reports for Mental Health Billers
Why Understanding Billing Reports Matters For behavioral health professionals, staying compliant and financially stable is crucial for longevity. To ensure smooth operations, mental health billers rely on a variety of reports to manage their entire operations. Understanding these reports is not only for billers, but for therapists and behavioral health leaders too. This helps ensure…
Read MoreChoosing the Right Mental Health Biller
Navigating the complexities of billing, claims submission, and revenue cycle management (RCM) can be daunting for behavioral health therapists. As your practice grows, partnering with a third-party mental health billing service may be a valuable move for your team. In the following guide, we will explore the factors to consider when evaluating a third-party mental…
Read MoreHIPAA vs SOC 2 for Therapists
In behavioral health, safeguarding client information is paramount. Mental health therapists must navigate a complex landscape of regulations and standards designed to protect sensitive data. Two primary frameworks are Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2). Understanding their distinctions and implications is essential for maintaining compliance and…
Read MoreClearinghouse: Everything Therapists Need to Know
For behavioral health therapists, navigating the world of mental health insurance billing can often feel overwhelming. One key component that can significantly streamline the billing process is a mental health clearinghouse. If you have ever wondered what a clearinghouse is, this guide is for you. It explains how it works and how it can help…
Read MoreAI and Therapy in 2025
Author: Ansley Campbell, LMFT of the Known Collective Generative AI has taken the world by storm ever since ChatGPT launched to the general public in November of 2022. The increased capability and accessibility of AI tools over the past year alone are staggering. Along the way, AI has also permeated the field of therapy, much…
Read MoreWhat to Know About NPI Numbers as a Therapist
As a mental health therapist, it is important to get and use a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number. This is crucial when working with behavioral health insurance and Medicaid, no matter your practical stage. It helps you process claims, protect your professional identity, and follow healthcare rules. In this blog, we will explain what therapists…
Read MoreWhat is CAQH? A Guide for Behavioral Health Therapists
If you are a therapist accepting Medicaid or insurance, you likely have heard about CAQH from the credentialing process. Whether you’re new to insurance-based practice or looking to streamline your administrative tasks, understanding CAQH credentialing is essential. Behavioral health professionals simply must grasp the function of CAQH to manage provider information and work with private…
Read MoreWhat OON Therapists Need to Know About Insurance
Navigating the world of insurance as a behavioral health therapist can feel overwhelming. For therapists who are not in-network providers, it’s important to communicate clearly with clients about their insurance expectations. Behavioral health professionals will also need to be well-versed in effectively discussing the superbilling process. This guide covers everything OON therapists need to know…
Read MoreNegotiate Insurance Reimbursement Rates After Credentialing
As a behavioral health therapist, accepting insurance or Medicaid can help you reach more clients. This makes mental health services easier to access as well. However, the reimbursement rates offered by insurance companies and Medicaid often fall short of covering the cost of care. Negotiating these rates is a crucial step in ensuring your practice…
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