The demand for mental health services has skyrocketed recently. According to the Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care, nearly 1 in 5 adults suffered from a mental health condition prior to the onset of Covid-19. Since then, rates of depression and anxiety are up over 300% according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While business is high demand for mental health professionals, collecting fees at the time of service can be a challenge. Here are tips to help you get paid for your mental health services.
Set a Clear and Concise Fee Structure
First, it’s important to have a clear and concise fee schedule. Your clients should know exactly how much they’ll be paying for your services before they even step foot in your office. As a practice, be sure to create an itemized list of services and fees that you can include in a new client packet or post on your website. It would be helpful to include this in any marketing materials you create as well.
Ease the Way
If you want to ensure payment, make it as easy as possible for clients to pay you. Does your practice only work with insurance companies, or do you have a variety of payment options available? These can include cash, check, credit card, PayPal or any other type of electronic payment app. If you’re using an online payment system, be sure to include a link to your payment page on your website and in all appointment reminders.
Clients should be able to pay you in the way that is most convenient for them. Letting them be the ones to decide helps establish trust and rapport with your practice. The easier you make it, the more apt they are to follow through and remit payment at the time of service.
Stand Your Ground
Don’t be afraid to ask for payment. Many mental health professionals are hesitant to do this, but it’s perfectly acceptable – and even expected – to collect payment at the time of service. If a client is unable to pay, you can always offer a payment plan or sliding scale fee. It’s important to set this expectation at the beginning and have all the providers in your practice operate with the same mentality.
Finally, don’t be afraid to follow up with clients who haven’t paid their bill. A simple email or phone call reminding them of their outstanding balance can go a long way in getting you paid. Be professional and polite when following up and be sure to give clients ample time to pay their bill before taking any further action.
Let Us Help
By following these tips, you should be well on your way to getting paid for your mental health services. But if you find that collecting payment continues to be a problem, we are here to help! Partner with us, the mental health billing experts and professionals at Anchor Point Billing Solutions.
We know firsthand the frustrations of not getting paid for the services you provide. We make it our job to work efficiently and always stay up-to-date with changes in the mental health billing arena.
To learn more about how we can help you grow your practice, call us at 816-753-7071 or email us at info@anchorpointbilling.com.