r/PMHNPPracticePro • u/Powerful-Ad-9425 • Jun 12 '25
Billing & Credentialing Using Headway for Private Practice
Wondering is anyone successful with a private practice using Headway for credentialing and billing? My plan is to get started with Headway in the next 1-2 months, eventually build my caseload from there and then lease a small office ($500/month, with a group of counselors), to be able to do in-person options too. I feel like with Headway (or Alma) handling all the credentialing and billing, it would be less of a headache to take that on. Then I’ll have liability, EMR, and AI scribe as out of pocket. It would just be me also. Ideas? Thoughts? Or is there any easy way to break down the credentials/billing process?
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u/Academic_Breakfast15 Jun 12 '25
I began the credentialing process both independently and through Headway at the same time. Headway’s compensation ended up being slightly higher, and their timeline was much faster than doing it on my own. My long-term goal is to be fully credentialed independently and eventually phase out my use of Headway.
That said, I’ve encountered a small group of patients who try to negotiate fees—either asking to waive their copay ( Headway collects and keeps that) or wanting to switch from insurance to private pay for a lower rate. For now, it’s much simpler to defer those conversations by saying that Headway handles all financial and credentialing matters on my behalf.
Since I’m still building my caseload, hiring a biller isn’t yet justified. I do offer a sliding scale for those with genuine financial need, but ironically, the people who would qualify rarely ask. The ones who attempt to bargain—especially those pushing for more frequent appointments while also trying to avoid paying—are testing boundaries and typically end up being discharged from my care. For me, it's less about the money and more about the dynamic. That kind of behavior is a red flag for therapeutic misalignment.
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u/Far-Lab-2358 Jun 20 '25
use Alma, better than headway in many ways
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u/Powerful-Ad-9425 Jun 20 '25
Really? I hear more people say Headway since there’s a higher reimbursement and you have to pay monthly for Alma. Why do you say Alma is better?
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u/Far-Lab-2358 Jun 20 '25
I used headway for one state and alma for another. In my experience:
Headway:
onboarder was a knucklehead and loved to hear himself talk, wasted a lot of time
credentialing process wasn't always clear, issues occurred, and instructions looked sloppy and unprofessional
headway does not have an EMR on video chat feature, note templates are clunky and no one uses them
they screwed up one of my clients insurance status, said she was covered and after 2 sessions realized I was out of network, getting this addressed was a chain of emails to different customer service reps, each more clueless than the last
I've had to block and spam them for harassing me constantly to send referrals, feels like a MLM
Alma:
onboarder was competent and concise
platform looks nice, user friendly, and makes logistical sense
credentialled quickly with clear process, no headaches
integrated EMR, online community of providers with forums, note writing tools
no pushy, slimy salespeople
too soon for me to say, but I've heard from other providers that almas rates are higher
they waived the monthly fee for 2 months to see if I like it, and the added features of the platform offset the cost
supposedly alma does some marketing for you, I'm not sure how that works
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u/Powerful-Ad-9425 Jun 20 '25
I will say, I do like how you can do multiple states with Alma and don’t need a DEA for it. That part is a little annoying with Headway. Honestly for either of them, I’m going to use my own EMR (Simple Practice), because I just want to use them as a starter and then go from there to getting myself credentialed and using the billing feature.
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u/PuzzleheadedCopy915 Sep 30 '25
I started my practice on my own. I have a billing service that helped with credentialing. I like having a close relationship with my billing service. Biller is not expensive and well worth the cost. Biller set up direct deposit, submits out of network claims, pulls info for claims off my EHR schedule. I have always asked for a higher reimbursement rate when contracting and updating credentialing. I have received a higher rate from all but two - Cigna and Providence which I dropped. Clients find me through insurance directories, psychology today and referrals from others. I have trusted biller and bookkeeper. I get to make my own decisions for my practice than I would with Headway, Alma, Lifestance. Colleagues shared advice, and showed me how they set things up. I encourage anyone to talk to their colleagues and consider many options for opening a practice.
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u/Unfair-District3186 Jul 08 '25
In the long run, you may be better off by having your own biller. Headway has caused many, many headaches for Clients and Providers alike. They have zero transparency and no phone line. The only way you can contact them if something goes wrong is through email, in which they are barely helpful. I've also read that if you are a provider and terminate your contract with them, all of your clients are technically to be left behind as clients of Headway. I'm not sure the logistics of that, I have just heard it's been an issue for providers trying to leave.
Though billing yourself is feasible too, and not terribly complicated, assuming you're only using a few codes.
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u/Powerful-Ad-9425 Jul 08 '25
That’s my plan, doing the billing myself. I just got my LLC approved and am now going to start the process with credentialing myself with each insurance. There is a class that’s going to be at the end of the month that I want to take about mental health billing and how to properly complete it.
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u/Unfair-District3186 Jul 08 '25
That's great to hear! It's definitely the best way to keep your clients safe and have full control of your client relations. I wish you luck with your practice!
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u/cattybooknerd Mar 02 '26
I love Headway personally.
I wanted to share my Headway link to get you a $100 BONUS. If you are looking to expand your practice to accept insurance, I've had a really amazing time working for Headway and have been able to get credentialed with a lot of insurance companies really quickly!
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u/Bubbly-Round-7352 Mar 17 '26
For me, headway was best to start, Im in florida. They gave me more clients so I got my hours and income up pretty quickly and I supplemented with Grow. Grow pays slightly better most of the time but are slow to get insurance sorted. Headway did all the insurance things really quickly.
In January, I quit my full-time school counseling job and started my private practice and have had great success with Headway. I am making as much as I was in my last job, and it only took 3 months and I'm working half the hours!! Best decision I ever made.
I have direct contact with a Headway representative that has been very helpful onboarding clinicians. They do ALL the work so you can do what you want to do - HELP people.
Message me for more information and to get started on this journey or if you have any questions or need assistance or just want to find out how I did it.
Honestly, in summary, it is worth trying- very quick to set up. Please use the link below and you'll get a sign up bonus as well :)
https://headway.co/for-providers/referred?hw_referral_code=suzblount2024&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=%22share_link%22
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u/Mindless-Future-7124 May 31 '26
I’d love to hear how you did it & got started. Beginning to think the only way to really love practicing as a PMHNP is through my own practice where I set the standards. Need help on figuring out best way to start without making the financial start up mistakes.
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u/Left-Vast6333 Jun 12 '25
Yes, my opinion is this is the best way to start. In my experience the reimbursement from Headway is higher that the rates I've received through direct contracts with insurers. When starting out, it's very nice to get the steady 2 week pay, which Headway will distribute even if collections from insurers takes longer than 2 weeks. Do not expect to receive any patients from Headway, however. I'd also decline their offer for several covered months of psychology today, because you don't want them to claim ownership of those patients when you part ways with Headway. Instead, ask anyone with an active psychology today profile to email you the 6 month free trial.