Insurance Update: What EVERY Therapist Needs to Know

South Region Luncheon
Presented by Barbara Griswold, LMFT

Many of you have seen Barbara's entertaining insurance presentations before, but this time we've asked her back with a special request: to put aside a good chunk of her time to take YOUR questions about working with insurance.   She extends a special invitation to those members who don't work directly with insurance, as she will be addressing important issues that could harm or help you and your clients.

Her presentation will cover the most frequently asked questions about client insurance, followed up with an interactive session addressing your questions and frustrations.  Topics may include:

• "Why are insurance plans asking to see our charts more often?  How should we respond?"
• "I'm an out of network therapist -- why is my treatment being reviewed?"
• "My client's invoice/claim/treatment was denied.   Why?"
• "How do I get through to a live person at the insurance plan?"
• "I want to get on insurance plans, but aren't they all 'closed'?" 
• "Is it true Kaiser members can now see therapists outside Kaiser?"
• "What if my client has Medicare coverage, or a Medicare supplemental plan?"
• "What is the situation with Medi-Cal?"
• "How do I bill for extended sessions?"
• "Can a practice that doesn't take insurance still thrive?"

She looks forward to answering your questions about navigating the insurance maze, and even invites you to e-mail your questions in advance to barbgris@aol.com.

Program Goals:  At the end of the presentation, participants will have a better understanding of important concepts related to a client's insurance coverage, get an update on healthcare trends and their participation options, how this coverage can impact therapy, and how to avoid common provider mistakes that can lead to claim denials and care interruptions.  As requested by the chapter, a large portion of the time will be devoted to question and answers from the group.

Measureable Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

• Identify four current trends in healthcare that are affecting therapists, including expansions of Medi-Cal and Kaiser

• Describe how to become a provider for insurance plans, even if the plans are "full"
• Identify the most common provider mistake that leads to claim denials and care interruption
• Assist a client in getting services covered, even if the therapist is not a member of their insurance plan

About the Presenter

Barbara Griswold, MFT, is the author of Navigating the Insurance Maze: The Therapist's Complete Guide to Working with Insurance -- And Whether You Should, Sixth Edition (www.theinsurancemaze.com). In private practice in San Jose, she has been a CAMFT member for 30 years, is a past member of the CAMFT State Ethics Committee and Board of Directors, and former Oral Examiner for the Board of Behavioral Sciences. She has been interviewed on NPR's “Morning Edition" and written articles for Psychotherapy Networker and The Therapist magazines. Barbara invites therapists to contact her at www.theinsurancemaze.com  with insurance questions, and subscribe to her free insurance e-newsletter.

PRE-REGISTRATION ENDS MONDAY, JANUARY 23. Registration and payments must be received by the Monday before the event to guarantee lunch. Reservations will be held until noon. "Walk-ins" are welcome at a higher rate ($33 members / $40 non-members), however lunch and seating is not guaranteed.. Register online with MasterCard, Visa, American Express, PayPal, or check (payable to SCV-CAMFT). Your check must be received by the Monday prior to the event. Mail checks to SCV-CAMFT, P.O. Box 60814, Palo Alto, CA 94306. Please allow 10 days for delivery. Continuing Education: This course meets the qualifications for 1 hour of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Science (CAMFT CE Provider #052466). SCV-CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. This presentation is suitable for all clinical levels. Certificates: To obtain your certificate, you must sign-in and sign-out at the event and complete a program evaluation. These are CAMFT requirements. You will be emailed a link to the evaluation within a week after the event. Upon completion of the evaluation, you will have access to the certificate. You must add your name and license number to make it official. This link will be active for 2 weeks after the email is sent. Audits: You can audit as a member for $10 and $15 for a non-member. Auditing does NOT include a meal or CEU credit. You can add CEUs when you register for an additional fee. For those auditing, the presentation begins at noon. Cancellations: Refunds will be issued if a request for cancellation is received by the Monday before the event. No refunds will be issued if a request for cancellation is received after the Monday before the event. To cancel, please send an email to mail@scv-camft.org or call the chapter voicemail at 408-235-0210. Refunds will be issued within ten (10) business days. Accommodations for Disability: The Santa Clara Valley Chapter of CAMFT is committed to providing a presentation that is accessible to all who wish to attend. If you have a special need and plan to attend, please notify us at mail@scv-camft.org or 408-235-0210. Requests must be made one week in advance. Chapter Board Meetings are generally held prior to the chapter’s monthly luncheons, at the same location, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Members are welcome to attend by notifying a board member. Grievance Policy: Any concern or grievance can be put in writing and emailed to mail@scv-camft.org.