Intern Counselor Question: This is a question we are asked at Thriveworks ALL THE TIME, so we thought we would finally write a quick blog post, and make a video, to answer the question. 🙂
The answer is usually, in 99% of cases, no. Â We’re sorry, really. It would make life so much easier for interns, and for the companies and practices that hire/employ them. It would be good for patients and clients. It would probably even mean more business for our medical billing service! But, alas, in most cases, interns cannot bill insurance.
However, there are a few exceptions. First, if you have special permission from an insurance company. An insurance company may let you enroll on their insurance panel, if you are under supervision, and if they have a dire (dire) need for providers. So, if your in one of the most under-served and blighted areas in the country, it might be worth making some calls to your local insurance companies 🙂
Also, if you work for a larger organization, such as a hospital, or a community mental health center, you may be able to accept some kinds of state-sanctioned insurance plans. This is your most likely option! In the video below, Dr. Anthony Centore and medical credentialing specialist Whitney Bade Explain:
Dr. Anthony Centore is CEO of Thriveworks, is Private Practice Consultant for the American Counseling Association, and Author of “How to Thrive In Counseling Private Practice.” Learn more at https://twx.atlantacounseling.com/counseling-private-practice-book/
Looking for help starting or growing a private practice? We can help! Learn more at https://twx.atlantacounseling.com/private-practice
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Anthony Centore
We had just hired a MFT intern who is supervised outside the facility. I had got approval from a few insurances that we could bill under the LCSW who is the clinical supervisor but not the direct supervisor of the MFT intern. So I believe the insurance is allowing the LCSW to sign off on his work and bill under hers. Have you heard of this before?
What was the end of the story?? Did the insurance companies paid off the interns visits?
May I ask which insurance companies? I am in Florida and aware that Medi-Cal will allow this is CA.
Is it possible to supervise a session and the following documentation that an intern completed with a client while the supervisor is actually present for both (in the room observing the session/reviewing and discussing the documentation with supervisee later) and still be reimbursed by the insurance company? If so, can this happen in a group practice?
Thanks,
I know a licensed counselor that is thinking about taking on Interns ( state registered interns) to do his overflow, he assured me that because he would be on “campus” or in the other office otherwise employed, working with another client or surfing the web…this would be okay. But….I’m not good with that if he isnt directly involved in each session. Most of his overflow is insurance, whats your take on this? Listening to your blog, it would appear that the intern must be enrolled on the insurance panel with a special understanding they would be receiving weekly supervision?…am I interpreting this correctly?