Steps to Find the Right Behavioral Health Billing Company in Washington

In 2023, 22 counties across the state of Washington banded together to sue Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services over the lack of mental health services available in the state. In a survey, 32.6% of Washington state respondents reported symptoms of anxiety or other depressive disorders.

As more people seek treatment for mental health disorders, more and more facilities are opening to help those seeking treatment. With higher patient counts in Washington, billing departments are seeing more traffic – requiring assistance in billing and compliance for the increased workload.

Why is Finding the Right Behavioral Health Billing Company Important?

The billing department of behavioral health centers are responsible for ensuring that the process of handling patients goes smoothly – billing, working with insurance, and more. Finding the right behavioral health billing company in Washington is essential to ensure compliance, maximize reimbursements, improve efficiency, and allow healthcare providers to focus on delivering high-quality patient care.

The reasons why finding the right behavioral health billing company include:

• Compliance: Behavioral health billing involves complex regulations and compliance requirements. Working with a reputable billing company ensures that your practice adheres to all legal and regulatory standards set by federal and state authorities, such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and state-specific regulations in Washington.
• Maximizing Reimbursements: A proficient billing company can help maximize your reimbursements by accurately coding and documenting services provided, thereby reducing the likelihood of claim denials or underpayments. They understand the intricacies of insurance billing and can optimize the process to ensure you receive the maximum reimbursement for the services you provide.
• Efficiency and Accuracy: Billing errors can lead to delays in payments and revenue loss. The right billing company employs trained professionals who specialize in behavioral health billing, ensuring accuracy in claims submission and processing. This efficiency can streamline your revenue cycle management and improve cash flow for your practice.
• Focus on Patient Care: Outsourcing billing tasks allows healthcare providers to focus on what they do best – providing quality patient care. By entrusting billing responsibilities to experts, clinicians can dedicate more time to their patients, leading to improved outcomes and patient satisfaction.
• Stay Updated with Industry Changes: The healthcare landscape, including billing practices and regulations, is constantly evolving. A reputable billing company stays abreast of these changes and ensures that your practice remains compliant and up-to-date with the latest billing requirements, saving you time and effort in keeping track of regulatory changes.
• Customized Solutions: The right billing company will offer tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of your behavioral health practice. Whether you specialize in certain types of therapy or treat specific populations, they can adapt their services to align with your practice’s unique requirements.
• Cost-Effectiveness: While there’s a cost associated with outsourcing billing services, it’s often more cost-effective than managing billing in-house when considering factors like staffing, training, software, and infrastructure costs. Additionally, by maximizing reimbursements and minimizing claim denials, a proficient billing company can help offset their fees and potentially increase your practice’s overall revenue.

Steps to Find a Behavioral Health Billing Company to Partner With in Washington

Billing within the behavioral health industry comes with its own set of complexities. Specialized billing companies, especially those with experience concerning mental health facilities, can step in to help provide essential support, ensure compliance, and maximize reimbursements. Washington regulations can be strict, and with the high demand for mental health services in the state, selecting the right billing company to partner with is essential to keep everything moving efficiently.

Step 1: Understand Your Facility’s Needs

To kick off your search for a behavioral health billing company, take a deep dive into your facility’s specific needs. Consider factors like the number of patients you cater to, the variety of services you provide, and any unique billing requirements related to behavioral health. Getting a handle on these details will guide you in finding a billing company that’s the perfect fit for your needs.

Step 2: Verify Licensing and Accreditation

In Washington, behavioral healthcare billing companies have to meet strict regulations and standards. Start by checking if the companies you’re eyeing have the necessary licenses and accreditations. Look for certifications from respected organizations like the Healthcare Billing and Management Association (HBMA) or the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC). These certifications show that a company is serious about professionalism and follows industry best practices.

Step 3: Assess Experience and Expertise

Experience is invaluable when it comes to behavioral health billing. Look for companies with a proven track record of working with behavioral health facilities not just in Washington, but across the country. Companies specializing in mental health and substance abuse billing will be familiar with the unique challenges and regulations of the field. Also, check out the expertise of their staff – from coders to billers to compliance specialists. Seasoned professionals can handle complex billing situations and ensure your facility gets the maximum reimbursements.

Step 4: Check Tech and Integration Capabilities

Technology is a game-changer for billing efficiency. Evaluate the billing company’s tech setup, including their billing software and how well it integrates with your electronic health records (EHR) system. Smooth integration means fewer errors, quicker claims, and easier access to financial data in real-time. And don’t forget about security – ask about measures in place to protect patient info and comply with HIPAA regulations.

Step 5: Prioritize Billing Transparency and Reporting

When it comes to your facility’s finances, transparency is non-negotiable. Look for a company that’s upfront about their billing practices and offers detailed reporting. Clear financial reports should give you insights into crucial metrics like claim submissions, denials, collections, and reimbursements. Make sure to ask about the frequency and format of reporting so you can make informed decisions when needed.

Step 6: Gauge Customer Service and Support

Good communication and responsive support are essential for a smooth billing partnership. Check out how the billing company handles customer service – do they have dedicated account managers or support staff? Quick responses to your queries can prevent disruptions to your revenue cycle and build a relationship based on trust and accountability.

Step 7: Scrutinize Contract Terms and Pricing

Before sealing the deal, go over the contract terms and pricing structure with a fine-tooth comb. Pay attention to fee schedules, payment terms, and any additional charges. Opt for a pricing model that’s transparent, fits your budget, and allows for scalability as your facility grows. Watch out for companies offering unrealistically low fees – quality services often come at a reasonable cost.

Step 8: Do Your Homework

Gather feedback from other behavioral health facilities or industry peers who’ve worked with the billing companies you’re considering. Ask about their experiences, reliability, and overall performance. Dig into online reviews, testimonials, and any complaints filed with regulatory authorities. A company’s reputation and client feedback can give you valuable insights into whether they’re the right fit for your billing needs.

Hansei Makes Behavioral Health Billing Simple in Washington

Finding the right behavioral health billing company in Washington requires careful consideration and due diligence. When you follow the steps above, you can evaluate the key criteria necessary to find a billing partner that will align with your facility’s needs and help you achieve your goals.

Hansei understands what it takes to keep your mental health facility moving forward – taking care of all the billing complexities so that providers can do what they love the most, taking care of their patients. If you are looking for a behavioral health billing company to partner with in Washington, let us help you streamline your billing processes, remain in compliance with state and federal regulations, and communicate openly regarding your facility’s billing – schedule your demo with Hansei today.