Mental and behavioural health medical billing involves the invoicing process for individuals with enduring conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, or schizophrenia. The focus of mental health billing revolves around regulations imposed on both facilities and patients, including limitations on visit frequency and duration. Pre-authorization may be required in some cases.

Insurance plans may not cover mental health services, and certain providers may be out of a patient's network. As a result, mental health providers must be prepared to accommodate patients who pay out of pocket.

Effective medical billing for mental and behavioural health services requires a comprehensive understanding of insurance plans, CPT codes, and strategies to minimize claim denials. Verifying benefits and the need for pre-authorization is crucial. During visits, specific CPT codes, such as evaluation and management (E&M) codes, are used. Differentiating standard E&M codes from psychiatric evaluation codes is essential.