Healthcare billing includes all sorts of other subcategories. Two of these are medical billing and behavioral health billing. Each of these two types of billing has distinct traits and requirements that separate them from one another, but what exactly are these differences? Today, we’ll be exploring the distinctions between medical billing and behavioral health billing.
Coding Systems
Medical billing and behavioral health billing utilize different coding systems. For medical billing, most of the coding is done with ICD-10 codes when getting diagnoses done. For behavioral health billing, the main code that is used for diagnosing patients is DSM-5, though there are still some ICD-10 codes that are used occasionally.
Procedure Vs. Time-Based Billing
When billing patients, there are a couple of ways this can get done. For medical billing, billing is typically related to whatever procedures were provided. These procedures can take varying lengths of time to complete, and the time that is spent does not affect the price of the procedure in any way.
In contrast, behavioral health billing tends to bill patients based on time increments. Common increments of time may be 30, 45, and 60-minute sessions. The more time that is spent, the more the patient will be charged.
Limitations on Coverage
There are differences in coverage based on whether patients are getting physical or mental health benefits. For services related to physical damage, for example, there isn’t a limit on how many times a patient can see a physician. For mental health concerns, however, there is often a set limit on how many times a patient can seek therapy in a given year.
Bundling of Services
When it comes to medical billing, each service that’s provided is often billed separately. For behavioral health billing, however, there is often a bundled approach to the billing process. In other words, multiple services are bundled together into one payment.
Preauthorization Rules
In the world of behavioral health billing, their services will commonly need preauthorization from insurance companies, even if it’s just for regular outpatient care. General medical billing doesn’t tend to require this same frequency of preauthorization. Such preauthorization is usually only needed when providing very specialized types of treatments and procedures.
MedHelp Inc. Is Here To Help
MedHelp, Inc. Uncommon Transparency. Uncompromising Service.
Call MedHelp, Inc. today at 443 524-4450 or toll-free at 1-800-275-6011 and let our team assist you in choosing the right solution. www.medhelpinc.com.Also, you can follow us on Facebook.