Understanding Headway Therapy
Headway is an online therapy platform that provides access to licensed therapists and psychiatrists through video sessions. As a telehealth company, Headway aims to improve access to mental health services by enabling providers to connect with clients remotely.
How Headway Therapy Works
Headway has individual therapists and psychiatrists within their network who offer counseling, psychotherapy, and medication management via online video chat. Clients can search for providers that accept their insurance, schedule sessions, and attend appointments online.
Headway handles all the insurance paperwork, billing and claims processing for the providers. Therapists earn a percentage of the session fees that insurance companies pay to Headway.
Benefits of Headway
For clients, Headway offers convenience, expanded choice of providers, and mental health support from the comfort of home. The platform also aims to reduce delays in accessing care through rapid provider matching.
For providers, Headway allows them to help more people by removing geographic restrictions. The company handles administrative tasks like claims and reimbursement, enabling therapists to focus on delivering care.
Becoming a Headway Provider
Licensed mental health professionals can apply to join Headways provider network. Applications are evaluated for insurance eligibility, documented training and experience, and ability to deliver compassionate care.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, mental health providers must hold an active professional license and have credentials that meet state regulations and insurance standards. Headway accepts licensed clinical social workers, counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists.
Available Licenses
Acceptable licenses include LCSW, LCPC, LMFT, LPCC or LPCMH. Psychiatrists must have a current medical license and board certification in psychiatry. Providers should have 1-3 years of documented experience with assessments, diagnosis and treatment planning.
Malpractice Insurance Needs
In addition to licensure, providers on Headway must carry valid professional liability insurance. The company recommends a policy that covers teletherapy services in provider's state with a minimum coverage level of $1 million per occurrence/$3 million aggregate.
Application and Onboarding Process
The Headway provider application collects information on license details, education, clinical experience, specializations, insurance status and availability for scheduling. If accepted, new providers complete training on use of the platform before seeing clients.
Credentialing with Insurance Plans
For providers to receive insurance reimbursement on Headway, they must get credentialed with in-network plans. This verifies qualifications to treat plan members under state contracts.
Insurance Credentialing Process
After acceptance, Headway guides providers through securing credentials with major insurers like Aetna, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare. This involves submitting license, insurance, and W9 details so plans can confirm provider eligibility to join networks.
Timelines for Credentialing
It typically takes 1-2 months to fully credential with insurance panels from application submission to final approval. Providers can only treat plan clients after finishing the credentialing process for each specific insurer.
Ongoing Credential Maintenance
To maintain active insurance eligibility, providers have to update Headway on license renewals, insurance policy changes, and practice details. Plans periodically re-verify credentials through recredentialing, typically every 1-3 years.
Delivering Online Therapy Services
Once fully onboarded and credentialed, mental health professionals can begin seeing clients on Headways virtual platform.
Scheduling and Caseloads
Providers set their own availability for appointments. They can take on a part-time or full-time caseload depending on preferences and capacity. Headways algorithm matches providers with client needs and insurance plans.
Conducting Video Sessions
Virtual visits take place using Headways HIPAA-compliant video chat interface. Licensed therapists and psychiatrists conduct sessions just like traditional in-office appointments but communicate remotely.
Using the Provider Platform
Within the provider dashboard, clinicians can update schedules, review payment history, submit insurance claims, message clients, complete clinical notes, manage prescriptions, and track tasks.
Earning Income with Headway
Headway pays therapists 70% of the fee collected per session from insurance reimbursements. So clinician income depends on caseload, payer mix, and reimbursement rates set by plans.
The Bottom Line
Becoming a Headway provider allows licensed mental health professionals to deliver easily accessible online therapy to clients nationwide while getting insurance reimbursements. Its an innovative practice option with big growth projections.
FAQs
What types of licenses qualify for Headway providers?
Headway accepts licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), licensed professional counselors (LCPC), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCC), and licensed psychiatrists. All providers must have 1-3 years of experience.
How long does Headway’s credentialing process take?
It typically takes 1-2 months for providers to become fully credentialed with major insurance plans like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare. This allows providers to treat their insured members and receive reimbursement.
Can therapists maintain their own private practice while working with Headway?
Yes, providers on Headway set their own availability so they can maintain existing in-person practices. Many treat online Headway clients part-time in addition to ongoing patient caseloads.
How much do Headway providers earn per session?
Headway pays credentialed providers 70% of the fees collected from insurance companies for virtual therapy appointments. Earnings depend on reimbursement rates set by plans and provider caseloads.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
Add Comment