PMHNP pay/salary

MentalKlarity, BSN, NP · Sep 14, 2021

You make more doing 30 min appts and then only see about 12 to 14 a day max. Add on codes for therapy for two 30 min appts per hour are worth more than trying to do 3 med checks in an hour and much mess stressful.

KMuniz, APRN · Sep 16, 2021

"You make more doing 30 min appts and then only see about 12 to 14 a day max. Add on codes for therapy for two 30 min appts per hour are worth more than trying to do 3 med checks in an hour and much mess stressful."

Do you mind me asking what charge codes do you use for visit + therapy? Is it 90836 or 90838? Like I did have a complex new patient w/previous 4 meds, 4 dx spent over 1 hr; I can charge for supportive therapy since I did provide that, and then how much time I put? Do I add the therapy to the 60 min that I already have for new patient? Thanks in advance!! E.G. 90204 + 90838? Would be that what I should do? And when do you charge under 90205? Is it only when you would need to send someone for higher care level such as hospital?

MentalKlarity, BSN, NP · Sep 16, 2021

33 minutes ago, KMuniz said:

"You make more doing 30 min appts and then only see about 12 to 14 a day max. Add on codes for therapy for two 30 min appts per hour are worth more than trying to do 3 med checks in an hour and much mess stressful."

Do you mind me asking what charge codes do you use for visit + therapy? Is it 90836 or 90838? Like I did have a complex new patient w/previous 4 meds, 4 dx spent over 1 hr; I can charge for supportive therapy since I did provide that, and then how much time I put? Do I add the therapy to the 60 min that I already have for new patient? Thanks in advance!! E.G. 90204 + 90838? Would be that what I should do? And when do you charge under 90205? Is it only when you would need to send someone for higher care level such as hospital?

My appts are 30 mins and I typically do either 99213 or 99214 depending on level of care and status. Quick med refills are 99213

The add on code 90833 is for 16-30 mins of therapy. I use the rest of our time for supportive therapy where we address specific concerns, work on coping skills, etc.

For new it's usually a time based code as all of my appts are 60+ mins so typically 99205.

KMuniz, APRN · Sep 16, 2021

THANK YOU SO MUCH, your answer helps a lot and I appreciate you for taking the time to answer!! I feel so much better! ?

KMuniz, APRN · Sep 17, 2021

Guys, do you have patients who would call your clinic to ask you to call them back in between the visits? To change the dose of the medications, etc. They want a call back instead of a Dr. visit...how do you charge these patients? If you charge for collateral services as a telephone call I am assuming it's less than a visit in the office...I am not sure if this is common practice, but I have noticed a pattern where I work, or maybe they take advantage of me:) Thanks!

MentalKlarity, BSN, NP · Sep 17, 2021

3 hours ago, KMuniz said:

Guys, do you have patients who would call your clinic to ask you to call them back in between the visits? To change the dose of the medications, etc. They want a call back instead of a Dr. visit...how do you charge these patients? If you charge for collateral services as a telephone call I am assuming it's less than a visit in the office...I am not sure if this is common practice, but I have noticed a pattern where I work, or maybe they take advantage of me:) Thanks!

I do minor things like "sure increase your Lexapro to 10mg" over the phone but if they call saying they're having side effects or still having symptoms I tell them to come in and discuss

ThePMHNP · Sep 22, 2021

On 9/17/2021 at 2:22 PM, KMuniz said:

Guys, do you have patients who would call your clinic to ask you to call them back in between the visits? To change the dose of the medications, etc. They want a call back instead of a Dr. visit...how do you charge these patients? If you charge for collateral services as a telephone call I am assuming it's less than a visit in the office...I am not sure if this is common practice, but I have noticed a pattern where I work, or maybe they take advantage of me:) Thanks!

I've had multiple psychiatrists advise me not to make medication changes over the phone. I used to do it sometimes in the beginning but I would get so burned out with all the constant phone calls in between appointments that I didn't have time to constantly be taking. It's easier to just to have a rule of no medication changes over the phone, if they want a change they need to come in. Im sure you're busy and don't have time to do free phone sessions for patients that don't wanna come in...

buggargreen · Sep 24, 2021

I'm very curious how the work/pay is for first grad, when you look up salary I could see them as high as 180k a year. I'm not sure if that's too good to be true?

MentalKlarity, BSN, NP · Sep 26, 2021

On 9/24/2021 at 4:25 PM, buggargreen said:

I'm very curious how the work/pay is for first grad, when you look up salary I could see them as high as 180k a year. I'm not sure if that's too good to be true?

Yes jobs at 180K and higher exist for PMHNPs as well as other specialties, but jobs at that pay grade demand a specific caliber of provider and typically are very competitive. They aren't the type of position people get coming out of for profit online programs.

Sun1 · Sep 28, 2021

On 9/26/2021 at 12:46 AM, MentalKlarity said:

Yes jobs at 180K and higher exist for PMHNPs as well as other specialties, but jobs at that pay grade demand a specific caliber of provider and typically are very competitive. They aren't the type of position people get coming out of for profit online programs.

Can I please pm you? Thanks in advance.

MentalKlarity, BSN, NP · Sep 28, 2021

3 hours ago, Sun1 said:

Can I please pm you? Thanks in advance.

Sure