With Payers (public and private):  OHSF is responsible for developing and maintaining working relationships with payers both public and private to ensure that patients have access to appropriate mental health care.  Over the past three years OHSF has been actively involved in working with staff at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the issue of maintaining access to the entire range of psychiatric medications for patients who are enrolled in Medicare Part D.

With AMA:  OHSF coordinates the activities of APA’s representatives to the AMA CPT Editorial Panel  where CPT codes are developed; and to the AMA RUC (RVS Update Committee), which determines the payment levels for the procedures defined by CPT codes.

With Business:  OHSF works with private sectors payers of health care – businesses – through the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health. Visit www.workplacementalhealth.org to access materials focused on outreaching to businesses to improve the mental health of employees and their families.

For the Underserved:  OHSF, working with an APA Board-appointed task force, has developed an online clearinghouse with information for psychiatrists practicing in psychiatrically underserved areas. 

In addition, OHSF provides a wide variety of practical assistance to APA members on day-to-day issues that arise in managing a practice:  reimbursement, relationships with managed care companies, coding, documentation, Medicare, Medicaid, establishing a private practice, closing a practice, etc.  You can access OHSF assistance by calling the HelpLine at 800.343.4671, sending email to hsf@psych.org or reviewing the resources available through links on this page.

Below are brief descriptions of information available in the Managing Your Practice section under Psychiatric Practice.

•  CPT – For general questions about CPT coding, call the HelpLine at 800.343.4671.  If you have a question about how to code for a specific patient encounter, please send it to hsf@psych.org.
• Managed Care HelpLine – The HelpLine, 800.343.4671, puts you in contact with staff in the APA’s Office of Healthcare Systems and Financing who will provide assistance with problems you are encountering in your practice.
• Physician Practice Info Survey – A national study about medical practices, currently being sponsored by the APA and the AMA.
• Psychiatric Practice and Managed Care Newsletter – Published bi-monthly in Psychiatric News.  Practice management information from the APA’s Office of Healthcare Systems and Financing.
• Practice Management for Early Career Psychiatrists – A handy reference guide for any psychiatrist thinking of starting or changing a practice.  Chapters can be downloaded separately as needed. [Member log in required.]
• Quick Practice Info – A series of documents created for Members by the APA’s Office of Healthcare Systems and Financing exploring common practice management issues encountered by psychiatrists.  If you are unable to download the documents you need, call the HelpLine, 800.343.4671.

Information for psychiatrists serving Medicare and/or Medicaid patients can be accessed in the Medicare & Medicaid section under Psychiatric Practice.