LAWRENCE — Some mental health professionals say they are being pressured by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas to release notes from therapy sessions with their patients.
The therapists say Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas and its subcontractor, New Directional Behavioral Health, are demanding the notes to limit expenses for patients who need long-term intensive counseling.
The Kansas City Star reports the insurance company says its auditing only a few high-cost providers to determine if the services given to patients match what was billed. The company says it shields all therapy notes and other documents to follow medical privacy laws.
Psychologist Susan Eyman of Lawrence says she refused to turn over her notes and was forced to pay back thousands of dollars in Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas reimbursements.
