How to Handle Self-Pay and Sliding Scale Billing Ethically and Efficiently for Mental Health
Mental health providers in the USA face a delicate challenge: balancing accessibility for patients with the financial sustainability of their practice. With rising demand for mental health services and gaps in insurance coverage, more patients opt to pay out-of-pocket. At the same time, ethical responsibilities often lead providers to offer sliding scale fees to those in need. Handling self-pay in mental health and sliding scale billing properly is crucial to ensure compliance, sustainability, and fairness.