I am credentialed with both Alma and Headway. Alma issues a paycheck every week, and Headway issues it twice a month. Headway verified benefits in less than 25 seconds, down to the penny for the remaining deductible. Alma is often still verifying eligibility on the day of the session - as they update their verification regularly. That is concerning. Alma's website is slick and very user-friendly. Headway's website does not have the features I like on Alma. Alma doesn't accept ANTHEM of CA, as Headway does.
Hi, thank you for your response here and. I, too, am on HEADWAY, thinking about joining ALMA; I use SimplePractice for all of my secure video and messaging. I feel overwhelmed working across multiple platforms. Any advice would be great.
You are so welcome. Please consider using my referral links if you want to sign up with either. Alma referral link: helloalma.com/for-providers/?grsf=kimberly-wqqc1l Headway referral link: headway.co/for-providers?KT1&fbclid=IwAR2BYIVXorWtpceFAXWG81NaAo-Mi1JnU4aQmFNhVXUIcjDuw3iVyBRuOCs#get-started
Alma's verification is very FLAWED, I have a client who owes almost 2k because they just found out they have a deductible. They are unresponsive to my complaints, and have created emotional harm. If you choose Alma do your own leg work.- Also have gotten ZERO referrals.
So sorry to hear that! I would definitely keep trying to talk with someone at Alma. This is not the case for most providers. I have a FB group for Headway and Alma here facebook.com/groups/337033161347829. Most of the members love Alma. Also, the client is responsible for knowing their deductibles. All we can do as. provider is attempt to get the verification. About 10% of the time the verification is incorrect from the insurance companies and that's across the board for anyone verifying benefits. Alma, statistics are 4 referrals per provider per month.
Great! I'm with Alma, but they're not contracted with NC BCBS. I'm thinking of doing Headway because they're with BCBS. The referral stream with Alma is meh. I get more with Psychology Today.
You know what is great about that?! You can stick with Alma and do Headway as well for BCBS! Headway is free so no fees. 🙂 Here’s my Headway link if you’d like to talk with them. referaprovider.headway.co/l/1KYMTOLSON48/
Thanks so much for this! Soooo much info. I love Headway, but am considering adding Alma because I'm multi-state licensed as well. Btw, Headway does have the PHQ-9 and GAD-7. They automatically send them to your client when you book their first appointment. This is as of June 9, 2022 I think. If you already have a complete assessment package that you send out (mine is in Simple Practice), you can manually opt out of the PHQ-9 auto send by sending an email to Headway customer service.
I think Headway does multi-state credentialing now and group practices, Alma doesn't do group practices at this time, at least not for my state. Headway gives you $90 toward Psychology Today but yeah doesn't seem like they have a strong referral system. Most of my clients come from OpenPath anyways. When I compared payouts for my state they were the same except for Aetna (that was $15 less on Headway) so I wasn't quite sure what the $125 fee was for with Alma as they have less insurances and I'm not generally getting a higher pay rate (except in the one case).
I have Headway, Alma and Path. It seems like PATH is the best way to go in terms of referrals but their platform is very complex. Do you know anything about PATH ? Thanks, great video.
No, I'm not familiar with path. I think I would go to with the one that offers the best reimbursement. They should all be able to tell you the reimbursement before you sign up.
Hi Kym, this was really helpful. I'm an LICSW in MA interested in starting a private practice. I liked your idea on credentialing under Headway and Alma and then separately doing private pay in private practice. Which would you set up an LLC/NPI 2 for, the private practice for private pay and then give Headway and Alma the NPI 1? New to this so thank you in advance!
Super helpful! I just got my LCSW and I am going into private practice. I have heard good things about Headway but still have so many questions about how it operates. I really appreciated all of your information
Let’s say I’m licensed in Texas and Florida through Alma, and I live in Texas. Can I see my Florida patients virtually even when I am physically in Texas?
Hi, first you would want to go with Alma on this one because they support Multistate licensure. And yes, as long as your license in Florida allows you to be located anywhere it should be fine. No Texas doesn’t generally allow providers to see clients in other states while they are sitting in Texas. However, since you are licensed in Texas, you should be fine, but always double check with the board in Texas as well. Here’s my Alma referral link: helloalma.com/for-providers/?grsf=kimberly-wqqc1l
I just had a meeting with Alma. Alma is charging a monthly membership fee, AND they also keep the co-payments. Alma is NOT transparent about how much they negotiate vs. how much they pay clinicians. I wonder how much the fact that you get free months of membership for all your referrals influenced your video here.
Alma and Headway are like any group practice. They pay you a flat fee that is negotiated with you at the time you sign up with them. They do not keep the copays. They pay you a flat rate for each session and it has nothing to do with copays. As for referral fees. I would not suggest anyone sign up for either company if its not right for them. I actually run a very large facebook group for therapists billing insurance in their private practices. I make it my ‘job’ to research different insurance billing options for therapists. The referral fees help me continue to provide tons of free content to therapists, run a 10,000 person Facebook group for free and coach 100’s of therapists FOR FREE. In addition to headway and Alma I also suggests therapists figure out the best billing options for them. If a therapist wants to hire a biller I recommend yourvafinder.com If a therapist wants to learn to do the billing on their own I recommend kymtolson.kartra.com/page/blab
@@johnmorrison1002 they keep everything and pay a flat fee to the clinician. There is no differentiation between copays and the full contracted rate. An Alma therapist would not need to worry about if there is a copay being collected. That’s between Alma and the client and they pay you the same pay rate for every single session despite if there is a copay.
Your welcome! Please consider using my referral links if you decide to sign up with either one. Alma referral link: helloalma.com/for-providers/?grsf=kimberly-wqqc1l Headway referral link: referaprovider.headway.co/l/1KYMTOLSON48/
I don't know Headway, but this is a vote against Alma. My mom died back in June. Since then I've unsuccessfully found a grief counselor I could work with. I'm sorry to say, Alma is awful and I had to cancel with two grief counselors because of Alma's incompetence. One therapist told me I had to do everything via Alma, but as a middleman they are impossible to work with. They contact you at the last minute with the addresses of the therapist's office, with an email that read "When you arrive at the therapists office, text them to let them know you arrived." However, the number to text was not in the email. I asked them to provide that and received an email that I'll get a response in 36 hours. I'm sorry, I'm a busy person and can't live my life "on the fly." It shouldn't be that difficult. Sorry.
@@KymTolson Thanks Kym. I finally found a grief counselor that I like and we're starting sessions next week. All this "work" trying to find a grief counselor reminded me of my dating years, ha-ha!
Great video, thank you! I am considering Alma but I’m wondering what happens when you decide to leave Alma? Would I be able to continue to see the clients who have been referred through Alma? For example if, after a few months my practice was full, would I be able to cancel with Alma, continue to see those same clients and submit the claims myself using my own Tax ID through Office Ally (as I do currently)? Thank you!
To my knowledge Alma does not have a policy about whether you can take clients with you. You can always schedule a free call and ask about that process. Here’s my referral link. I believe you get 4 months free to try them out if you’d like. helloalma.com/for-providers/?grsf=kimberly-wqqc1l
Thank you for this helpful video. I'm an LCSW in NY and having a difficult time considering one vs the other. Based on your understanding, can you tell me how most Headway therapists are getting new clients? Are they paying client referrals services on the side? I"m just wondering if that is an additional cost to consider where as Alma does send about 4 new referrals per month. Thank you
Yes absolutely! I have a whole FB group dedicated to NP’s! facebook.com/groups/headwayandalmatelehealthproviders/?ref=share_group_link Also, here’s my referral link to schedule a free consult to se other are right for you! Headway referral link: referaprovider.headway.co/l/1KYMTOLSON48/
they called and let me ask questions and then sent me an intro packet with their fees and agreements. they also gave me an intro sign on price. so far so good
I’ve found that the average is about $125 for a 90837. My best advice would be to schedule a free call with both companies and they will tell you your rates on the call. 😊 Here are my referral links if you schedule. Thank you!! Alma referral link: helloalma.com/for-providers/?grsf=kimberly-wqqc1l Headway referral link: referaprovider.headway.co/l/1KYMTOLSON48/
It totally depends on your state and your licensure. If you schedule a free call both companies will tell you their rates. Alma referral link: helloalma.com/for-providers/?grsf=kimberly-wqqc1l Headway referral link: referaprovider.headway.co/l/1KYMTOLSON48/
Headway asks for your CAQH username and password for credentialing. I'm really uneasy about that having access to sensitive information isn't safe. What are your thoughts on this?
Yes, I can understand that. It's pretty standard operating procedure for any company. That's doing the credentialing for you. I would recommend changing your password after they've made the updates.
Great! Here are my referral links for both. Alma referral link: helloalma.com/for-providers/?grsf=kimberly-wqqc1l Headway referral link: referaprovider.headway.co/l/1KYMTOLSON48/
Feel free to schedule a call with either. :) They will answer all your questions or you can email me at info@kymtolson.com Alma referral link: helloalma.com/for-providers/?grsf=kimberly-wqqc1l Headway referral link: referaprovider.headway.co/l/1KYMTOLSON48/
Hi! Yes both Alma and Headway are in Texas. Please use my referral links if you sign up!! Alma referral link: helloalma.com/for-providers/?grsf=kimberly-wqqc1l Headway referral link: referaprovider.headway.co/l/1KYMTOLSON48/
It depends on your state and licensure level. Mostly what I’ve heard is around $125-$135 per session (90837) on average. Here are my referral links if you’d like to have a free call. Alma referral link: helloalma.com/for-providers/?grsf=kimberly-wqqc1l Headway referral link: referaprovider.headway.co/l/1KYMTOLSON48/
Hi! Thank you so much, this was so helpful and thinking of signing up for Alma. I know you said you could stay private pay but I want to clarify: If I get paneled with Alma on Oscar/Aetna/Cigna will my existing (non-Alma clients that use out-of-network benefits via these specific insurance companies) get to continue using their out-of-network benefits seeing me? Or will they get denied bc I'm paneled (via Alma) on their insurance company? Hope this makes sense.
Hi Katie! I’m so glad you found it helpful. Yes, if you are not paneled individually you can remain private pay. The insurance would go through Alma’s tax Id not your tax ID. I hope that helps. If you sign up, please use my referral link. 🙏 helloalma.com/for-providers/?grsf=kimberly-wqqc1l
@@KymTolson ok cool, do they could still submit and get reimbursed for their out-of-network benefits then? Sorry just want to make sure my clients don’t all of a sudden start getting denied those!
@@KCope no you wouldn’t need to tell Alma about the Private pays. You would manage those on your own though your own EHR or even through Zoom and Google Meet (HIPAA compliant versions) and collect payment through Ivy Pay
And you would give the private pay clients a superbill with only your tax ID and your NPI or you could use a company like www.thesuperbill.com/kymtolson
Do I understand you correctly , if I use Alma I don’t need an additional service like Simple practice? Really great information. As a newbie I think I’m sold on Alma now. I will deff use your referral link. Thanks.
Hi, You can do it all through Alma or you can have both SP and Alma. Alma even gives you your own Zoom room so you don't need the telehealth component of SP. Just with Alma, they aren't with Blue Cross Blue Sheild or Medicare or Medicaid so if you wanted to bill those you would still do them on your own.
You’re welcome!! Here are my referral links if you’d like to schedule a call with either of them. Alma referral link: helloalma.com/for-providers/?grsf=kimberly-wqqc1l Headway referral link: referaprovider.headway.co/l/1KYMTOLSON48/
HI, With Alma yes, and with Headway (for the most part). I've recently heard that Headway does not want to credential you with BCBS if you are already credentialed with them. I don't think this is all states though. You can have referral calls with each one and see what their take is. But with Alma, I haven't heard that they have any concerns about how you are already credentialed. Here are my links if you would like a free call with both. Alma referral link: helloalma.com/for-providers/?grsf=kimberly-wqqc1l Headway referral link: referaprovider.headway.co/l/1KYMTOLSON48/
Such helpful and informative video! I am thinking about joining Alma, but I want to know if I need an external EHR system (e.g. Simple Practice) to store my notes or if Alma has this feature included. What do you suggest? Thank you!
Hi! You don’t need one. They give you a Zoom room to use also. Some people like to have a separate one just to keep other client records that might not be with Alma
@@KymTolson I am transitioning to PP from my full time job with DoD. I was looking into Kaiser panel but the want me to sign up with medical. Do you have any experience with Medical/Kaiser? I live in Southern Cal and was curious what their reimbursement rate was for Kaiser and Medical.
Headway is still a good option too. They do not charge a monthly fee. Here’s my referral link if you want to schedule an initial meeting with them to see if they are a good fit. referaprovider.headway.co/l/1KYMTOLSON48/
@@KymTolson yeah but those people can afford to spend $125 a month. I cannot afford that. I'm not about to spend that much money when I've also heard that Alma might be keeping people's co-payments. I'm just going to stick with headway. I don't have to pay a monthly fee. And my referrals actually come from psychology today which is far better than what headway or Alma can ever give me.
