Mental health professionals agree that their priority is caring for patients and helping them lead their best lives. As a provider, you also need to receive payment for your services to pay the costs of running these facilities – rent, utilities, salaries, and cleaning. When a few clients do not pay for treatment, it can impact your operating expenses. Here are a few ways to help clients receive more affordable treatment.
Contact Your Client
Monitor payment schedules as provided by your behavioral health billing software. Promptly contact clients who delay or miss payments. You may prefer to have office staff initiate this conversation. Some clients that feel pressured may retaliate with a negative online review or false complaint to your professional board. Reports are time-consuming to resolve and may damage your professional creditability. Your office staff can handle payment collection while you work on the treatment plan.
Shorten Appointments
Clients experiencing financial difficulties may require accommodations. Offering 30-minute sessions can lower the fees while still maintaining needed services. You can lengthen the time between sessions. Every other week appointments can significantly reduce treatment costs.
Go Online
Telehealth mental services are a great option to help clients save money. Remote sessions are typically less expensive and often just as effective as in-person sessions. Online meetings can prevent last-minute cancellations. A client may choose to use remote meetings when:
- A family member is ill but does not require close monitoring
- The client is recovering from illness or injury
- Their vehicle breaks down
- Inclement weather prevents safe traveling
Expand the Treatment Team
If reducing the length or number of treatment sessions is not feasible, partner with another professional who charges a lower per-session fee. The client should understand that you and the other care provider will be discussing your case with each other to ensure the client is successfully managing their treatment.
Apply for Grants
Check with local and national foundations that provide grants for mental health care. Many community health organizations cover mental health costs for their residents. The grant application process can be tedious and time-consuming. Providing services at a reduced rate can positively impact your clients’ attitudes. In addition, you know what portion of the fees are covered.
Ask About Benefits
Your front desk staff may ask about the client’s employee benefits. Health insurance programs offer some coverage for behavioral health services. Employee Assistance Programs allow employees to access several sessions at a reduced rate. You may need to become an approved provider for these programs. In addition to guaranteed payments, the EAP refers individuals to your practice.
Consider Medication
While not every client is an ideal candidate for medication, treating some people with medication can help minimize symptoms and make sessions more efficient. The reduced number of sessions helps save the client money. If you cannot prescribe medication, you can discuss available treatment options. Their primary care physician determines the best medication decision.
While situations vary, proactively managing your expectations and keeping treatment costs affordable helps you build a successful practice.