If you are a Behavioral Health Provider, You would Benefit from Joining a Georgia Health Insurance Network
Online, June 12, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Many behavioral health providers are starting their own private practices, in order to be their own boss. This is a good opportunity for them to have their own business, set their own hours, and work hard for their own profit. Sometimes professionals who start a new private practice decide to do it without joining any Georgia health insurance networks. They report that there is too much paperwork with many Georgia health insurance networks, and that too much administrative time is spent communicating or reporting back to Georgia health insurance network case managers. Often, those starting out do not wish to agree to low, contracted, negotiated rates that are required as part of the contract to join a Georgia health insurance network. Many people starting out believe that they can build their own private practice without being a part of a Georgia health insurance network.
However, these behavioral health professionals are overlooking many important issues. One of these is that there are many more referrals that come through a Georgia health insurance network provider directory or web site, than through word of mouth. A behavioral health provider who is just starting out only has his or her friends and family doing advertising or marketing on their behalf. If they were part of a Georgia health insurance network, they would be listed on the provider directory and the thousands of people enrolled in that particular Georgia health insurance plan would be searching their name and practice. This is really the main way that most mental health professionals receive referrals, through participation in a Georgia health insurance network.
Another important issue is that Georgia health insurance companies offer many resources and educational materials that can be helpful to a behavioral health provider. Many Georgia health insurance carriers have literature and materials on depression, ADHD, work stress, divorce, and anxiety that providers can use to help educate clients and members of a Georgia health insurance plan. Some Georgia health insurance carriers request client satisfaction surveys, and that is an excellent way for mental health professionals to hear back some feedback.
Although there is certainly more paperwork for behavioral health providers when they are filing claims, completing treatment plans, or requesting authorization, many Georgia health insurance companies have implemented several programs to make this as easy and time efficient as possible. Many Georgia health insurance companies allow providers to complete many of these tasks electronically, online or by fax. Some Georgia health insurance carriers also have waived many pre-authorization requirements or treatment plans, especially for providers who are part of a Georgia health insurance network. Payment time varies, but it is often within two weeks. Some national and Georgia health insurance carriers even do electronic deposit, saving providers with the time spent making trips to the bank.
There are also many individuals who are seeking mental health services who would not be able to pay out of pocket fees, so many people specifically want to see a mental health professional who is a part of their particular Georgia health insurance network. Therefore, it is difficult to build a private practice without the referrals from a Georgia health insurance plan. Since the paperwork is not that time consuming, and the referrals will come quicker, it probably is more beneficial to mental health professionals to join a Georgia health insurance network as they are building a private practice, even if the contracted rate is lower.
