Just on the off chance that anyone comes accross this and needs this information, let me save you what amounted to about 3 hours of research. There is apparently no easily accessible place online where all this vital information is availible together.
If you are considering a mental health private practice, there are some logistics to consider before jumping in. Amongst these of course is how to obtain financial reimbursement for services. In order to be paid for your hard work in private practice you essentially need three numbers. These numbers can take up to 3 months to apply and be approved for so this should be a FIRST STEP in working towards a private practice. Why won't anybody tell you this!? I got the information through extensive phone calls to insurance companies, grilling other professionals, emailing professional organizations and career centers and lots of googling. Ladies and gentlemen, the research shows:
For private practice billing and insurance reimbursement you basically need three separate numbers:
In order to bill in private practice on sliding scale or fee for service (without in insurance reimbursement) you need to apply for a small business id at:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html
In order to bill for state (Medicare or Medicaid) reimbursement, you need an NPI#. More information available at:
https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/Welcome.do
In order to bill private insurance companies, you need a CAQH# which in turn each individual private insurance company has to approve for reimbursement (i.e. once you have the CAQH, you use it to apply one at a time to private insurance companies you want to use for reimbursement- you would do this online at each private insurance company’s website). More information available at:
http://caqh.org/ucd_health_participating.php
Just in case this spares some other poor soul all the frustration and confusion of obtaining BASIC information. Geez.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
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