To compare a private behavioral health practice to a retail store might seem like an awkward juxtaposition to some. After all, a retail consumer and a client suffering from mental illness have two distinct sets of needs with little in common. But at the end of the day, the continuity of care depends heavily on…
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Accepting credit card payments is a necessary part of business even in the behavioral health field. Your business might have a mix of clients including those who pay a co-payment, those who pay out-of-pocket, or those who may never pay you directly. No matter what the mix, you want to provide an exceptional client experience…
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Outcome measures have been talked about in the behavioral health field for over 20 years yet only 18% of psychiatrists and 11% of psychologists in the US routinely use outcome measures (Fortney, Sladek, & Unützer, 2015). There is a lot of evidence that suggests that using outcome measures to track and provide feedback on patient…
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With reimbursement rates always under threat, behavioral health practitioners in private practice might find themselves at a disadvantage when negotiating higher rates. Larger organizations can afford to hire third-party negotiators to handle it for them but as the person wearing all the hats, you might not know where, how, or when to start. Many behavioral…
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What is a Private Practice Business Plan? A private practice business plan is a document that acts as the backbone of your business model and is a crucial step in establishing your mental health practice. Business plans are truly the foundation for any business, and are important for setting benchmarks to measure success. It’s a…
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Remote work is a thing we’ve all become very familiar with within the age of COVID. However, working remotely as a therapist or psychiatrist can present a unique set of challenges. From ensuring you have the proper telemedicine technology, abiding by all HIPAA regulations in a virtual setting, and maintaining a personal connection with your…
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Frequently, we are asked “Can my practice be compliant with Cures Act when using Valant?”. The short answer is Yes. Here, we’ll explain what Cures Act is and what you need to know when evaluating EHR software for your behavioral health practice.   What is the Cures Act? The 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act)…
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An expanded list of common diagnostic codes for mental & behavioral health. A testament to the nature of the healthcare industry, changes occur continuously and challenge the ways we use technology, apply care, and even classify diagnoses. The familiarity and instinctiveness that comes with decades of ICD-9 usage simply won’t disappear overnight for most providers,…
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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a division of the United States Department of Health & Human Services, predicts a nationwide shortage of 10,000 to nearly 50,000 mental health professionals by 2025 if the current trends continue. The predicted shortage includes marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, psychiatrists, and psychologists. The rumors…
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When it comes to defining the right key performance indicators (KPIs) to track for your behavioral health practice, it can be hard to know where to start. One of the KPIs that is important for every practice to measure is clinical productivity, as it can have a direct and significant impact on your bottom line….
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