Maintaining Records in Your Mental Health Practice

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Associated Billing Center, LLC

Exclusively Serving Mental Health Practices                                                  Web: mentalhealthbillers.com   732-251-4800

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Mental Health professionals need to maintain original copies of certain documents in their office in the event of an audit or a request from a state board or agency asking for the procurement of specific information.

Examples Include:

-License to practice in your state. Also, an original license from any other state you are licensed to practice in.

-Original CEU certificates. Many state agencies will not accept copies.

-Mental health practices must retain a patient’s health records for a minimum of seven years from the patient’s discharge date. If the patient is a minor, the records must be maintained for a minimum of seven years from the date the patient reaches 18 years of age.

-Psychotherapy notes keeping track of your progress and any thoughts you have about topics for future exploration should be maintained privately and confidentially.                                                                                                            

-A provider may disclose patient information, including information from mental health records, if necessary, to law enforcement, family members of the patient, or any other persons who may reasonably be able to prevent or lessen the risk of harm.

Disclaimer: Please note: The editorial content of this page is in no way intended to be professional advice. It should be considered informational and a venue for entertainment purposes. Read and utilize it at your own discretion. Content may not be published without the expressed consent of Associated Billing Center, LLC