Treatment FAQ

how to request neurofeedback treatment as a medical necessity

by Mrs. Elsie Leannon Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

If you're seeking out neurofeedback therapy for a behavioral condition such as depression, a psychologist will typically perform it and will ask you some questions based on the issues that you're looking to address. You might also be required to go into a doctor's office, where a professional will place the electrodes on your head.

Full Answer

What is neurofeedback and how does it work?

In order to pinpoint and repair a broken relationship between the brain and the body, medical technology using neurofeedback is available and can even re-train the brain to bypass injuries. How Does Neurofeedback Work?

Does Medicare cover neurofeedback treatment?

Medicare benefits do provide coverage for neurofeedback treatment in many cases, but it may be based on individual and unique needs. Coverage rates may vary depending on the reason for neurofeedback therapy, and how the billing is coded can also have a large impact on the benefits provided.

What is a letter of medical necessity?

But there is a tool – a potent tool – for getting treatments or tests covered by your insurance: The Letter of Medical Necessity. WHAT IS THE LETTER OF MEDICAL NECESSITY? Simply put, insurance has an interest in denying expensive test and treatments. But those services may be the best or only thing that can advance your care.

How long can a treatment be for medical necessity?

Your provider must state a specific length of treatment. Lifetime or indefinite lengths of treatment will not be approved. When a treatment must be continued for a long period of time you should expect to have to renew the letter of medical necessity periodically. history unrelated to the medical need only bogs down the letter.

Why is neurofeedback not covered by insurance?

Neurofeedback uses the same CPT billing code as biofeedback – 90901, which is gaining increasing coverage. Insurance companies may be restrictive about which diagnostic codes are used with 90901 or may not reimburse well for this code.

How do you bill neurofeedback?

CPT® code 90901 or 90912 or 90913 should be as appropriate billed when biofeedback training is provided. Biofeedback training consists of the amount of time that the biofeedback modality is attached to the patient with the feedback results to be used and/or analyzed by the patient and/or clinician.

Does insurance pay for Brain Mapping?

Some medical and psychological insurance plans now cover neurofeedback and/or biofeedback for various conditions. Reimbursement to the client varies by carrier and by plan. Check with your insurance company about coverage for biofeedback.

What conditions is neurofeedback used for?

Often used as a treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), neurofeedback therapy aims to change the way the brain responds to certain stimuli. It's also been used to treat epilepsy, anxiety, depression and insomnia, among other mental health disorders.

What is the procedure code for neurofeedback?

The 97532 code refers to cognitive retraining; it has typically been used by speech and language pathologists working to improve cognitive function of patients with cognitive deficits. Many neurofeedback providers have started to use this code when working with clients with ADHD or TBI.

Does Medicare cover biofeedback therapy?

Biofeedback therapy is covered under Medicare only when it is reasonable and necessary for the individual patient for muscle re-education of specific muscle groups or for treating pathological muscle abnormalities of spasticity, incapacitating muscle spasm, or weakness, and more conventional treatments (heat, cold, ...

Is neurofeedback approved by the FDA?

In 2018, the FDA designated NeurOptimal® neurofeedback as a General Wellness Product based on the safety of the system and its intended uses. This neurofeedback system is perfect for individuals wanting a program for brain wellness but that is safe and non-invasive.

Can I use my HSA for neurofeedback?

Health insurance will not cover brain mapping or qEEG and neurofeedback training. However, we offer no interest financing, and accept payments from Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA), Medical Savings Accounts (MSA), and the Care Credit healthcare credit card.

How much is a session of neurofeedback?

The average cost of a neurofeedback session in the USA is $125, and very few neurofeedback providers take insurance. Many neurofeedback providers require starting with a 19 wire QEEG brain map plus other testing costing up to $1000. My 2 wire EEG assessment is a standard part of the first session.

Which is better TMS or neurofeedback?

The benefits of neurofeedback Neurofeedback has several advantages over TMS: While TMS usually requires five 20–40-minute sessions per week for six to seven weeks, neurofeedback is usually done 1-3 times per week. The course of treatment depends on the individual. TMS generally targets depression only.

Is neurofeedback a hoax?

Some researchers have criticized neurofeedback as a moneymaking scam, while others have voiced concern about the lack of guidelines. Authors of a 2016 study noted that, while neurofeedback is noninvasive, available evidence has not proven its effectiveness.

Is neurofeedback a sham?

Our findings suggest that neurofeedback training is not superior to a sham condition or group psychotherapy. All three treatments were equivalently effective in reducing ADHD symptoms. This first randomised, sham-controlled trial did not show any specific effects of neurofeedback on ADHD symptoms in adults.

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Is Kristen Hale's information confidential?

All client information and records are secured and kept confidential according to HIPPA regulations and the ACA ethical codes. If Kristen Hale or her counselors/technicians see clients in public settings, they will refrain from acknowledging them to protect the client’s privacy. However, clients are welcome to initiate contact in public settings.

Is EEG biofeedback FDA approved?

Currently the only application or which any EEG Biofeedback (aka Neurofeedback) equipment has been registered with the FDA is for the purposes of relaxation by training of alpha waves. Any application outside of this scope is considered a use of biofeedback in an “off label” fashion. The FDA recognizes that it is completely acceptable for an appropriately licensed clinician to use their clinical judgement in the use of FDA registered equipment for off-label purposes. Many times, in the Neurotherapy field, the Neurofeedback that is provided is done so on brainwaves other than the alpha frequency and is also done for purposes other than relaxation (i.e. to improve attention or mood), and so would be considered an off-label use of EEG Biofeedback by the FDA.

Can you continue neurofeedback if you are taking medication?

It is possible to proceed with Neurofeedback even though the client resumes and/or continues taking medication. However, if you are taking medication it is important to remain in close communication with your physician while engaging in Neurotherapy. It has been clinically observed, and commonly recognized within the Neurotherapy field, that the need for some of these medications may decrease after a few Neurofeedback sessions; but the medication may remain in your system and some individuals may have negative side effects because of the decreased need of the body to rely on that medication. Some patients have tendency to want to decrease medications without consulting their physician. All decisions regarding medication and/or changes of medication must be done with the consultation of the prescribing physician, as improperly decreasing or abruptly stopping some medications may be life threatening or detrimental to your health-please consult your physician. It is also important to realize that conducting Neurofeedback in the presence of medication may cause the course of treatment to last longer than a case where no medication is involved.

What is biofeedback used for?

The American Psychological Association (APA) provides general information on biofeedback (including neurofeedback) on its website, stating that “Biofeedback helps treat some illness, may boost performance, helps people relax, and is even used to help children with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder.”

What is the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence 2013?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2013) issued guideline on management and support of children on the autism spectrum. The Institute stated that the number of treatments were considered but are not recommended including neurofeedback.

What is neurofeedback therapy?

The purpose of neurofeedback is to provide a treatment option that is an alternative to or an improvement on existing therapies, such as behavioral therapy and pharmacologic therapy, in patients with disorders other than ADHD.

What is neurofeedback in medical terms?

Neurofeedback describes techniques of providing feedback about neuronal activity, as measured by electroencephalogram biofeedback or functional magnetic resonance imaging, in order to teach patients to self-regulate brain activity. Neurofeedback may utilize several techniques in an attempt to normalize unusual patterns of brain function in patients with central nervous system disorders.

How long does it take for a DSM-5 diagnosis to be confirmed?

The patient has a DSM-5 diagnosis of ADHD rendered within the last twelve months prior to initiation of neurofeedback therapy that is confirmed by a practitioner independent of the neurofeedback provider, using evidenced based tools/scales to support the diagnosis and assessment. Traditionally, a definitive diagnosis of ADHD is rendered by a mental health professional. However, an independent diagnosis may also be rendered by clinicians in other specialties, including primary care practitioners as long as their medical records fully support the diagnosis and that the diagnosis was made using a validated, standardized tool such as the Vanderbilt or the Connors or similar established tool in conjunction with a DSM-5 (or most currently published edition) based interview.

What is joint medical policy?

Joint Medical Policies are a source for BCBSM and BCN medical policy information only. These documents are not to be used to determine benefits or reimbursement. Please reference the appropriate certificate or contract for benefit information. This policy may be updated and is therefore subject to change.

Does neurofeedback help with PTSD?

Compared with sham neurofeedback, no treatment or other treatment, neurofeedback was associated with significant improvement in PTSD symptoms. Other primary outcomes were only reported in one trial each, and the authors concluded there was uncertainty regarding the ability of neurofeedback to improve PTSD symptoms, self-rated suicidality, executive cognitive functioning, and medication use. All studies were at moderate to high risk for bias, and were assessed as having some indirectness and imprecision.

Why is defensible documentation important?

Truly defensible documentation is thorough, easy for any provider to digest, and can help prove that a treatment was medically necessary by virtue of being —well—defensible.

Why is documentation important in medical care?

Documentation is a cornerstone of ensuring not only high care standards, but also accurate payment—and keeping it defensible it is the key to documenting for medical necessity.

What is medical necessity?

The APTA’s definition of medical necessity (as detailed in this source) addresses the authority, purpose, scope, evidence, and value of the provided treatment. Per the APTA, physical therapy treatment is medically necessary if: A licensed PT determines it is so based on an evaluation;

What is the purpose of the type, amount, and duration of the therapy?

The type, amount, and duration of the therapy helps a patient improve function, minimize loss of function, or decrease risk of injury (or disease).

Is APTA medical necessity strict?

The APTA’s definition of medical necessity is actually a little more strict than CMS’s—but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The more thorough your documentation, the better. And if you adhere to the most stringent standards of medical necessity, your chances for claim denials drop substantially.

Is it wrong to close out the year?

But there’s nothing wrong with closing out the year on a calm, gentle note—one without denials, for example. One of the best ways to avoid claim denials is to document defensibly, and to prove that your treatment was undeniably ...

Who is Melissa Hughes?

Melissa Hughes. Melissa Hughes. Melissa Hughes is a senior content writer for WebPT. As a trained award-winning journalist and a forever learner, she uses her passion for education and really bad puns to inform her writing—and ultimately to help rehab therapists achieve greatness in practice.

Letters of Medical Necessity: Examples & Samples

These letters need to be thorough with all relevant information that the insurance company may need to decide. Request your healthcare provider to be as specific as possible with the details.

FAQs

A letter of medical necessity needs to include the following points to be appropriate.

Conclusion

We hope your search for a letter of medical necessity template ended here. You never know when the need for a LOMN arises. So, it’s best to be prepared with all the templates. This way, you can get done with the formalities in time and return to work soon.

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