What Are You Worth as an Integrated Behavioral Health Clinician and Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH)?

DISCLOSURE: I am not currently practicing as a therapist, and thus, do not have a license to practice therapy in my home state of Maryland. Consequently, I will be using an aspirational licensing level to complete this assignment/blog post.  

My current level of licensure is that of a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). In the state of Maryland, LCPCs include mental health professionals with a master’s degree in psychology or social work. Because my company is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) in Baltimore City, it is subject to compliance and regulation by the federal government (Health Resources & Services Administration [HRSA], n.d.). One of the most important benefits for patients receiving care at my facility is that they are provided quality services regardless of their income or ability to afford treatment (HRSA, n.d.). Additionally, 97% of FQHC patients would recommend their health center to others (HRSA, n.d.).

With such a high satisfaction rate, it is no surprise that facilities like mine are a top choice for community members from lower socioeconomic status backgrounds. FQHCs help reduce barriers to treatment by focusing clinical energy and resources towards preventive care and proper health management (HRSA, n.d.). Part of the FQHC’s ability to provide high quality care is due to the reimbursement levels me and my fellow clinicians receive. In Table 1, the CPT and HBA codes are specific to Medicare reimbursements for services provided by clinicians that include LCPCs, LCSWs, and psychologists. Guidance for these reimbursement amounts are provided by the Maryland Primary Care Program (MPCP) (2021) under the Maryland Department of Health. 

Part 1 of Table 1

Part 2 of Table 1

The total percent of units received in Table 1 is based on the assumption that reimbursements for care LCPCs in Maryland provide cover at least 75% of the typical cost of units for treatment. While this number tends to be lower than the reimbursement amounts for neighboring DC and its surrounding suburbs, it is not significantly lower than the estimated percentages received for other parts of Maryland. This information is particularly helpful for me and my colleagues because it ensures we are compensated for the quality care we provide. In addition, it encourages us to create treatment plans that are reimbursable and help accelerate the patient’s health improvement progress through tailored, beneficial care.

Institutions like mine can bill for the greatest number of services because we provide whole-person, multidisciplinary care to our patients in a colocated facility and under the leadership of a doctor of behavioral health (DBH). Having a DBH on staff helps provide the necessary communications, health leadership, population health management, and quality improvement expertise necessary to implement activities aimed at achieving strategic goals. A DBH can work closely with multiple care providers to align their treatment plans and ensure the maximum benefit to patients and their support systems. 

References

Health Resources & Services Administration. (n.d.). About the health center program. HRSA Health Center Program. Retrieved May 1, 2025, from https://bphc.hrsa.gov/about-health-center-program

Maryland Primary Care Program. (2021). Billing reference guide. https://health.maryland.gov/mdpcp/Documents/MDPCP%20Billing%20and%20Coding%20Guide.pdf