Specialty Billing
Psychology Billing Services
Billing for psychologists — where testing batteries with hour-based codes, authorization for testing time, and report-writing rules create billing problems therapy-only practices never meet.
Psychological and neuropsychological testing is its own billing discipline: batteries built from base and add-on hour codes, distinctions between psychologist time and technician time, authorization requests measured in hours, and payer rules about scoring and report-writing time that differ enough to change what a battery is worth.
Our psychology billing handles both sides of the practice — clean therapy billing, and testing claims built code-by-code from documented hours with authorizations to match — so batteries stop being underpaid puzzles.
Why Psychology Billing Is Complex
Testing claims fail when billed hours drift from authorized hours or documentation does not separate administration, scoring, and interpretation time by who performed it — psychologist versus technician codes pay differently and payers check. Authorization is hours-based: under-requesting truncates the battery financially, over-requesting invites denial, and the request needs clinical justification per instrument planned.
Common Service Categories We Bill
- Neuropsychological testing batteries
- Psychological and psychoeducational testing
- Diagnostic interviews and evaluations
- Individual psychotherapy
- Forensic and disability evaluations (often non-insurance)
Common Denial Causes in Psychology
- Testing hours billed beyond authorized hours
- Medical-necessity denials on testing referrals payers view as educational
- Technician/psychologist code construction errors
- Report and feedback session billing rules varying by payer
Documentation Risks to Watch
- Testing time logs not separating administration, scoring, and interpretation
- Technician-administered hours not distinguished from psychologist hours
- Instrument list and clinical rationale missing from authorization requests
Coding Considerations
- Testing code family distinguishes evaluation services from test administration and from technician administration — construction must mirror who did what for how long
- Educational testing (learning disabilities for school purposes) is frequently excluded from medical benefits — screen referrals before booking batteries
Educational note: Coding and payer information on this page is general educational content, not definitive coding, legal, or reimbursement advice. CPT/ICD-10 rules and payer policies change frequently — verify specifics against current official sources and qualified professionals.
Typical Payer Challenges
- Hour-based authorization negotiation per battery
- Coverage exclusions for educational and forensic purposes
Psychology Billing FAQs
Why did the payer only pay part of our testing battery?
Most commonly: billed hours exceeded authorized hours, technician versus psychologist codes were constructed differently than documentation supports, or the payer applies its own rules about scoring and report time. We rebuild the claim against the time logs and the authorization, and appeal the difference where documentation supports it.
Does insurance cover testing for ADHD or learning disabilities?
Coverage hinges on purpose: testing for medical diagnosis and treatment is often covered; testing primarily for educational placement frequently is not. The answer is payer- and plan-specific, so we verify testing benefits and exclusions before batteries are scheduled — protecting both the practice and the family from surprises.
Related Specialties and Texas Locations
Information on this website is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, coding, reimbursement, payer, or compliance advice. Coding and payer requirements change frequently; verify current rules with official sources and qualified professionals before acting.
Talk to us about psychology billing
Request a free billing assessment and get a clear, no-obligation review of your claims process, denial patterns, and accounts receivable.