Eagan-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota plans to decrease reimbursement for a standard hour-long therapy session by roughly 18 percent Jan. 1, according to a Star Tribune report.
BCBSM said Sept. 14 it would reduce rates billed for psychotherapy sessions "to bring those costs more in line with industry norms." The payer also recently "corrected overpayment errors in our systems that had been paying mental health professionals more than what was outlined in their contracts" for more than two years.
Providers affected by the errors, which led to some being overpaid by roughly 24 percent, will be asked to repay a combined $4 million in overpayments.
Affected therapists expressed concerns the reimbursement cuts may violate federal and state parity laws, the report notes. The laws require payers to treat mental healthcare and physical care equally.
For the full report, click here.
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