Practice Management
Update about Telehealth Flexibilities
On March 14, Congress passed the Fiscal Year 2025 Continuing Resolution (H.R. 1968), which included a crucial extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities. This legislation delays the requirement for an in-person evaluation within six months of providing telemental health services until September 30, 2025. Originally set to expire on March 31, these flexibilities are essential for ensuring continued access to mental health care for Medicare beneficiaries.
APA strongly supports efforts to permanently remove this requirement. We recognize that telehealth has become an indispensable tool in expanding access to mental health care, particularly for those in rural and underserved areas. A rigid in-person evaluation requirement would create unnecessary barriers to care, undermining the progress made in telehealth accessibility.
Financial Assistance
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced an opportunity for physicians impacted by the cyberattack and resulting disruptions with ChangeHealthcare to request advanced Medicare payments to help with cash flow disruptions. The details of the program, terms, and the steps needed to apply can be found in the links below.
AMA National Study to Document Changes in Physician Practice Expense
Mathematica launched the Physician Practice Information (PPI) and Physician Hours Survey on Monday, July 31 and those practices selected for the survey will be completing these surveys until early 2024.
CPT Coding and Reimbursement
The Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) code set is used to denote the medical and surgical procedures and diagnostic services rendered by clinicians. The CPT coding system provides a uniform language for describing these services for all billing and documentation and, under HIPAA, is required to be used to record care by all health care professionals in the United States.
Health Information Technology
APA’s EHR resource page will help guide you through the health information technology (HIT) process and provide information on evaluating EHR vendors, EHR educational materials and tools, software listings and reviews, and a glossary of terms
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
If you are an APA member, you can access to two comprehensive HIPAA guides.
Medicare
A wide-range of resources and information on Medicare for members of the American Psychiatric Association.
Practice Management Guides
Do you need help with common practice management issues? Discover APA's guides for many common problems facing psychiatrists.
Starting a Practice
An online reference guide for any psychiatrist thinking of starting or changing a practice.
Closing a Practice
This valuable guide was written by the APA to assist you, families, and colleagues with planning and risk management at the practice level in the event of an unforeseen, emergency closing.
Practice Management Helpline
Members of the American Psychiatric Association can contact the Practice Management Helpline for answers to their questions.
No Surprises Act Implementation
Learn more about the implementation of the “No Surprises Act” (the Act), which allows for patient financial protections that impact health plans, physicians, and facilities, will apply to psychiatrists in certain circumstances.
Telepsychiatry Toolkit
APA's Telepsychiatry Toolkit — developed by the APA Work Group on Telepsychiatry — is an evolving resource for members who want to learn about the various aspects of telepsychiatry, including clinical, training, and policy considerations.