Insurance billing for mental health services can feel like a maze, especially with all the codes and modifiers needed for smooth claims processing. At Clear Path Billing Solutions, we’re here to make it simpler! This guide breaks down the essential Place of Service (POS) codes and telehealth modifiers to help you avoid common billing snags and keep your practice running smoothly.
Places of Service:
When billing for mental health services, it’s important to include the correct place of service (POS) code on your claims. These codes indicate where the service was provided and can impact how a claim is processed.
The three most commonly used codes are:
10: Telehealth Provided in the Client’s Home
This is used when mental health services are provided via telehealth, with the client located in their home during the session. With the rise of teletherapy, POS 10 has become increasingly common.
02: Telehealth Provided Outside of the Home
Use POS 02 when a client is receiving telehealth services, but they are not in their home (e.g., they might be in a clinic or other location while accessing telehealth). This code helps distinguish between different telehealth scenarios.
11: Office
POS 11 is the standard for in-person sessions in a clinical office setting. If your services are provided face-to-face in your practice, this is the code you’ll use most often.
Choosing the Right Code
Correctly coding the place of service is essential for smooth claim processing. Using the wrong code can lead to denials or delays, so it’s important to stay informed about when to use each one, especially as telehealth services evolve.
On top of the places of service, you will also need to use Modifiers.
Telehealth Modifiers
If you are using place of service 11, then no modifier is needed. However, for telehealth, you will need to include either the GT or 95 modifier. A very common denial reason for telehealth sessions is a mis-match between your place of service and your modifiers. For example, a claim may be denied if it is billed as place of service 10 (patient located in their home), but there was no 95 modifier used.
- GT Modifier: Use this when the telehealth service was delivered in real-time, typically via an interactive audio and video platform. The GT modifier is an older code, and is most commonly used when billing Medicare.
- 95 Modifier: This also indicates synchronous telehealth, delivered via a real-time interactive system, but it is more commonly used with commercial insurance plans.Use for most commercial insurance plans unless you’ve been requested to use the GT modifier.
Common Denial Codes
When it comes to denials for mismatched places of service and modifiers, here are some common denial codes you might encounter:
- CO-4: This denial occurs when the procedure code is inconsistent with the place of service.
- CO-96: The denial happens when there’s a non-covered charge, often due to improper billing of a telehealth service without the correct modifier.
- PR-204: This code indicates the service is not covered because it was improperly coded or mismatched with the POS or modifier.
Using the correct POS and telehealth modifier (GT or 95) ensures smoother claims processing.
If you have questions about your insurance billing, please get in touch! We offer mental health billing services, as well as credentialing and consulting. We are here to help your practice run more smoothly!
At Clear Path Billing Solutions, we make mental health billing simple and efficient. From timely claims submission to handling denials, we take care of the details so you can focus on your clients. Let us streamline your billing process and improve your cash flow. Book your free consultation today!
