The Mental Health Connection
Remember to adjust your clocks. Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 12th. We set our clocks ahead an hour—giving us an extra hour of light. Many of us feel that when it's dark (whether it's 4:30 P.M. or 7:30 P.M.), it signals that the day is over—time to have dinner and get ready for bed. When it stays light outside until 7 or 8 P.M., we have more energy and motivation to do something more before the day ends. What will you do with the extra hour of daylight?
Do you know a licensed mental health professional that could benefit from what Help Therapy offers? We have put a hold on onboarding new providers, but we are once more accepting applications. Let them know. They can contact us here.
Annette Conway, PsyD
CEO and President
Help Therapy
March is National Self-Harm, Brain Injury, and National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Self-Harm Awareness People of different age groups, from a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures engage in self-harm—referred to as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Yet research around NSSI is generally lacking, especially concerning different cultures, identities, and races. Learn more here. Brain Injury Awareness Approximately 3 million people in the U.S. sustain traumatic brain injuries each year. Most people are at a loss about how to be around these injured people, which is part of the reason why Brain Injury Awareness month was created. Learn more here. National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Many different impairments are included in this broad term and thereby include many people. These disabilities include physical, learning, language or behavior areas and include:
Autism spectrum disorders
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Learning disabilities
Hearing loss
Vision impairment
Learn more here.
Solutions to Common Medical Billing Challenges Facing Mental Healthcare Providers Many therapists consider dealing with billing challenges to be an ongoing part of being a mental healthcare professional. Some common billing challenges include: Insurance coverage limitations: Many insurance plans have limitations or exclusions for mental health services, making it difficult for mental healthcare providers to get paid for their services. For example, some plans may only cover a certain number of visits per year or require pre-authorization for specific treatments. Complex coding requirements: Mental health conditions often require detailed documentation and coding, which can be time-consuming and require specialized training. If a wrong code is submitted, it can lead to rejected claims and delayed payments. High denial rates: Insurance companies frequently deny claims for various reasons, including missing or incomplete documentation, disputes over the medical necessity and, of course, incorrect codes. Billing errors: Mistakes in billing, such as incorrect billing codes or missing information, can lead to delayed payments or even legal and regulatory issues. Mental healthcare providers may need a billing specialist to ensure their claims are accurate and compliant.
Unpaid patient balances: Some patients may struggle to pay their bills in full or on time. This can be time-consuming and impact their cash flow.
As a mental healthcare provider, you want to spend your time helping patients rather than dealing with insurance and billing. Here are some tips that mental healthcare providers can use to overcome the challenges associated with mental healthcare billing:
Verify insurance coverage: Before providing any services, it's essential to verify the patient's insurance coverage and benefits to ensure that you can bill appropriately.
Train yourself or your staff on coding and documentation, or hire a billing specialist.
Monitor and track claims closely: Keep a close eye on your claims to ensure they are being processed correctly and to catch any errors or issues before they become larger problems.
Implement patient payment policies: To help manage patient balances, it's essential to have clear policies in place for collecting payments. Consider offering payment plans or financing options to help make it easier for patients to pay their bills, and make sure that your staff is trained to handle billing and payment inquiries professionally and respectfully.
Partner with Help Therapy. As a Help Therapy provider, you can simplify your practice by having us take care of your medical billing and more.
Learn more here.
How to Support a Friend or Family Member Suffering with a Mental Health Condition
An estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older—about 1 in 4—suffer from a mental health disorder in any given year. Many people suffer from more than one disorder. For example, depression often co-occurs with anxiety disorders and substance use.
When a friend or family member is dealing with a mental health condition, it can be challenging for them and those around them. Supporting a friend or family member is crucial to help them in their journey toward recovery.
Here are some ways you can support your loved one:
Educate Yourself About Their Condition
Learning about your friend or family member's condition, including its symptoms, causes, and treatments is essential. Educating yourself can help you understand what they are going through and how to support them better.
Listen without Judgment
When a loved one opens up to you about their illness, listen without judgment. It’s essential to create a safe and supportive environment. Avoid giving unsolicited advice. Let them know you are there to support them.
Help with Daily Tasks
People with a mental health illness may find it challenging to perform daily activities like cooking, cleaning, or shopping. Offer to help them with these tasks to ease their burden. You can also accompany them to appointments or support groups. Small gestures like these can make a significant difference in their life.
This Month’s Tip Improve Your Mood and Reduce Depression with Exercise Here are 7 types of exercise and movement that can help relieve the symptoms of depression and improve your mood.
Cardiovascular Exercise: Activities like running, cycling, and swimming
Walking: Walking at any speed, especially in nature
Resistance Training: Building strength by lifting weights, using resistance bands or other equipment
Yoga and Tai Chi: Both of these practices incorporate physical postures , breathing exercises, and mindfulness
Pilates: Pilates focuses on core strength and posture with or without the use of equipment
Dancing: Dancing is a fun and social way to exercise
Team Sports: Sports like baseball, basketball and tennis provide social support and a sense of belonging.
Events
National Careers Week March 6-11, 2023 See AD for more information.
International Women’s Day March 8, 2023 See IWD for more information.
Sleep Awareness Week March 12-18, 2023 See NSF for more information. World Sleep Day March 17, 2023 See World Sleep for more information. National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week March 20-26, 2023 See NIH for more information. International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination March 21, 2023 See UNESCO for more information. World Down Syndrome Day March 21, 2023 See DSI for more information. National Autism Awareness Week March 27- April 2, 2023 See NAS for more information.
World Bipolar Day March 30, 2023 See IBPF for more information.
International Transgender Day of Visibility March 31, 2023 See NT for more information.
Partner with us!
Are you a psychologist, LCSW or LMFT? We’re always looking for exceptional mental healthcare providers. Visit helptherapy.com for more information and fill out the quick and easy application.
Do you have something to share?We’d love to hear about your successes and accomplishments! Have you:
Written an article?
Given a presentation?
Have a client success story?
Contact us at info@helptherapy.com.
Comments