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February SPECIAL Event: The Changing World of Insurance: What EVERY Therapist Should Know

When
02/02/2019
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location
Resource Center for Non-Violence, Community Room, 612 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Spaces left
21

Registration

General Admission – $75.00
General Admission (CE certificate included)
SC-CAMFT or CAMFT Membership – $50.00
SC-CAMFT or CAMFT Membership (CE certificate included)
Students and Associate Members – $30.00
Students and Associate Members

Registration is closed

February SPECIAL Event
with Barbara Griswold, LMFT

3 CE Credits Included

Workshop Title: "The Changing World of Insurance: What EVERY Therapist Should Know"

More clients have insurance than ever before, and they want to use their coverage for therapy. Whether to join an insurance network is one of the most significant financial and clinical decisions a therapist can make, yet we get often get little training to help us make that decision, and to navigate the insurance maze. This can lead to costly mistakes that hurt us -- and our clients.

This 3-hour workshop may be one of the most useful trainings you have ever attended, even if you never join an insurance plan. It will give you the essential overview of how to work with a client's insurance, including what out-of-network providers should know (ex: did you know giving a client an invoice may open the door for review of your treatment and records?)

These are the types of things we will discuss:

recent changes in the insurance world that could affect all of us
how to find the most up-to-date diagnosis codes
how to keep new clients even when you aren't on their plan
your choices: the pros and cons of joining plans, and what you are getting into
why you shouldn't trust the client's insurance card -- or the client
getting in the door at "full" plans, and new opportunities for MFTs (ex. Medi-Cal)
coverage for couples and family therapy
the 13 essential questions to ask when checking coverage; a Handout
differences between EAP, HMO, EPO, PPO, and POS plans – and why you should care
the biggest mistakes therapist make when dealing with insurance
understanding what plans look for when reviewing your care: "Medical Necessity"
CPT codes – avoiding common mistakes when using them
avoiding common billing practices that are fraud

Learning Objectives:

At end of workshop, attendee will be able to:

Identify the most common mistake by providers that leads to claim denials and treatment disruption.
Name three ways a client can utilize their insurance for your treatment – even if you are not a network provider.
Name 13 Essential Questions to ask when checking insurance coverage, in order to avoid later treatment disruption or claim denials.
Define the concept of medical necessity that is used by health plans to approve ongoing treatment.

Presenter Bio:

Barbara Griswold, LMFT is author of Navigating the Insurance Maze: The Therapist’s Complete Guide to Working with Insurance – And Whether You Should, now in its 7th edition. In addition to her practice in San Jose, she provides consultations about insurance, progress notes, practice building, and difficult cases to therapists nationwide. She has been interviewed on NPR’s “Morning Edition,” and her articles have appeared in Psychotherapy Networker and The Therapist magazines. Her latest mission is to educate therapists on what should be in their progress notes and to help them pass treatment reviews. Barbara previously served as Orals Examiner for the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, and on the CAMFT State Board and Ethics Committee.

Special Event 1/2-Day Pricing

General Admission: $75

SC-CAMFT or CAMFT Membership: $50

Students and Associate Members: $30

We are looking for a handful of volunteers to put on this special event. If you are interested, please contact president@santacruztherapist.org for more information.

Continuing Education: Course meets the qualifications for 3 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Course completion certificates will be available to attendees at the end of the presentation.

The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. Provider #62284

Cancellation policy: Sorry, there will be no cancellation refunds for this program.

Special Accommodations: The Santa Cruz 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 president@santacruztherapist.org. Requests must be made one week in advance.

Grievances may be filed with the SC-CAMFT at president@santacruztherapist.org or 831.429.7786.

For any questions please contact the president@santacruztherapist.org.