Couples, Marriage, and Family Therapy

Clinicians who engage in couples therapy can chart, note and bill for this type of therapy two ways. Option 1 includes a patient chart, note, and billing for the primary partner or family member only, whereas option 2 includes a patient chart, note, and billing for both partners or family members.

Option 1 

Create a patient chart, complete notes, and bill for the  primary partner or family member only. 

Add Primary Patient Chart 

Decide which person in the couple serves as the primary patient. Add the primary party as a patient by clicking Patients > +New Patient. Assign a clinician to the patient and fill out the Patient Information section. Under the Contacts section, click the +New Contact button. Add the partner’s information. Click the Save New Patient button. 

Scheduling Appointments 

Click Scheduling > + New Appointment. From the Appointment Type dropdown, select the type that corresponds with couples therapy service codes in your account. To learn how to add service codes, see How To: Add, Edit, and Delete Service Codes. Enter the primary patient in the Patient field and complete the rest of the fields accordingly. If desired, input the partner’s name in the Appointment Alert field. Click the Save New Appointment button. 

Notes 

Complete the note that corresponds with the scheduled appointment. Click Edit in the upper right of the note header. From the Participants dropdown select Client and Others. In the Other Attendees field enter the partner’s name. Click the Update Note Header button. Finish the note as usual, inserting any information about the partner where appropriate. Write N/A in any field where additional information is not applicable. 

Billing 

Once the appointment is on the schedule, the system automatically generates a billing line item in primary patient’s chart under the Billing tab. 

Option 2

Create a patient chart, complete notes, and bill for  both partners or family members. 

Add Patient Chart for Both Partners or Family Members 

Click Patients > + New Patient. Assign a clinician to the patient and fill out the Patient Information section. Click the Save New Patient button. Follow the process for the other partner. 

Scheduling Appointments 

Make sure your account has service codes for couples therapy saved under Group Therapy. To learn how to add service codes, see How To: Add, Edit, and Delete Service Codes.

Click Scheduling > + New Appointment. From the Appointment Type dropdown select Group Therapy. Add both partners into the Patients field. Fill out the rest of the fields accordingly, then click the Save New Appointment button.    

Notes 

Complete the corresponding group therapy progress note for each partner.   

Billing 

Once the appointment is on the schedule the system automatically generates a billing line item in each partner’s chart under the Billing tab.