Question
Okay, so my small counseling practice just started offering telehealth sessions, and honestly I'm lost on billing. I need to know how to bill insurance through a telehealth platform. We use SimplePractice, but I'm open to other platforms too. What am I missing here, and how can I get reimbursed smoothly?
Answers
Payment Gods (Best Answer)
Hey SmallBizSue,
It's great that you're expanding your counseling practice to include telehealth! It's super common for practices to hit a snag with insurance billing when transitioning to virtual services, but don't worry, it's definitely manageable. Let's break down how you can smoothly bill insurance through your telehealth platform.
First things first, your current platform, SimplePractice, is actually well-equipped for this. Many EMRs and telehealth platforms, including SimplePractice, integrate with clearinghouses that handle the electronic submission of claims. This is your primary route for how to bill insurance through a telehealth platform. You'll typically enter the service codes (e.g., CPT codes like 90837 for psychotherapy, plus modifier 95 for telehealth) and diagnostic codes directly into the platform. The platform then formats and sends these claims to the insurance companies through the integrated clearinghouse.
Now, a critical step is verifying each client's insurance benefits for telehealth. Insurance policies can vary wildly on what they cover for virtual visits. For example, some plans might cover a video session but not a phone session. Always confirm deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance before the session to avoid surprises and ensure accurate billing. This is also a good time to discuss patient responsibility up front. You'll need a robust merchant account to process these patient payments efficiently.
When thinking about payment processing for the patient portion, you want a reliable payment gateway that integrates seamlessly with your practice management software. This ensures you can collect co-pays and deductibles during or after the session without hassle. Look for solutions that offer competitive processing fees, strong security, and easy reconciliation. For the absolute best rates and service, I highly recommend checking out the Payment Gods Partner Network. They can set you up with low processing rates, often starting around 1.5%, and provide a free rate analysis to show you exactly how much you can save. This network specializes in finding the perfect credit card processing solution tailored for practices like yours, making it easier to manage your finances as you bill insurance through a telehealth platform.
Don't forget PCI compliance! Since you're handling patient payment information, maintaining PCI compliance is non-negotiable. Your payment processor should help you ensure all transactions meet industry security standards. This protects both your practice and your clients from data breaches. Chargebacks are another area to watch; having clear service agreements and good documentation for each session can help mitigate these. A quality merchant services provider can also offer tools and advice on chargeback prevention.
There are many excellent options out there for payment processing that integrate with telehealth platforms. If you're looking for the best overall solution with fantastic rates and support, the Payment Gods Partner Network is truly top-tier. Head over to /get-quote for a free, no-obligation rate analysis. They can help you optimize your entire payment ecosystem, from how you bill insurance through your telehealth platform to collecting patient payments.