Why Payers Are Auditing More Closely?

COVID-19 placed extraordinary strain on healthcare systems. Providers rapidly shifted to telehealth, managed higher patient acuity, and focused on access and stabilization during a public health emergency. During this time, documentation standards were often secondary to continuity of care.

As healthcare systems normalize, payors are now reassessing utilization and cost. Increased demand—especially in behavioral health—has led to closer review of services billed and whether they meet medical necessity criteria.

As a result, payors are auditing provider notes more frequently and requiring objective outcome measures, such as PHQ-9 and GAD-7, to support treatment decisions. These tools offer measurable evidence of symptom severity, progress over time, and the appropriateness of ongoing care.

In today’s post-COVID environment, clear documentation supported by objective data is no longer optional—it is essential for compliance, reimbursement, and continuity of care.

What This Means for You as a PsychGo Client?

You may notice a new step before your appointments at PsychGo. 

• Before each visit, you will receive brief assessments through your TherapyNotes portal. These are typically short questionnaires about mood and anxiety.

• Please complete them before your appointment. This helps your provider prepare and allows more time to focus on your needs during the session.

• If the assessments are not completed ahead of time, your provider will ask you to complete them at the start of your appointment.

• Completion of these assessments is required if you would like your sessions to be billed to your health insurance. 

• If you have any difficulty accessing your portal, please contact admin@psychgo.com so we can help right away.

These assessments help support your care, track progress over time, and ensure continued insurance coverage. Thank you for your cooperation as we adapt to these requirements while continuing to prioritize your treatment and experience.