Meets the ethics & law requirement for re-licensure in Washington State.

This workshop reviews Washington State clinical record keeping requirements and assesses third party payer record keeping specifications for private practice mental health treatment. It includes explanation of the distinction between progress notes and HIPAA's more protected "psychotherapy notes" as well as some caution about the influence of Washington State law on the Feds' vision of "psychotherapy notes."  The workshop addresses the current expectations of third-party payers, including documentation of assessment data, case formulation, and session notes. Finally, we will review how one can write treatment plans or outpatient treatment reports in such a way as to support the illusive "medical necessity."   This workshop provides each attendee with an entire clinical record keeping system, which when used,  meets both state and third party documentation standards. Considerable attention is paid to prioritizing patient confidentiality.  

Workshop Outline

I.  Purpose of Clinical Records

• Support Good Treatment
• Legal Document
• Proof of Reimbursable Services
  

II. "Their" Legal Standards

• State Law
• Business Records
• Charging, Redacting, Editing, Retention
  

III. "Their" Insurance Industry Standards

• Medical Necessity
• Required Documentation

IV. Outpatient Treatment Reports