Let's be honest—keeping up with policy changes, new codes, and industry trends while managing a full caseload feels impossible. So we did the legwork for you. Here are the five developments from 2025 that actually deserve your attention, along with what you can do about them right now.

1. New Codes, New Revenue

Medicare's ~3% cut to base payment rates stung, but 2025 also brought billing codes that can offset the damage. The big one? HCPCS code G2211—a complexity add-on worth about $15 per visit when you're managing patients with multiple conditions or pairing visits with preventive services. Append it to your standard E/M codes (99202–99215) when appropriate.

Even better for behavioral health: safety planning is now billable. Code G0560 covers safety planning interventions in 20-minute increments, and G0544 reimburses post-crisis follow-up calls. That time you spend developing safety plans and checking in after ER discharges? It's finally recognized as payable work. Don't forget CPT 96127 for those PHQ-9s and GAD-7s either—a few dollars per screening adds up over a year.

The takeaway: Revenue left on the table is revenue lost. Review your billing practices and make sure you're capturing G2211, the safety planning codes, and screening codes where applicable.

2. Telehealth Isn't Going Anywhere

If you were worried about telehealth flexibilities disappearing—breathe. Congress extended Medicare's telehealth rules through January 2026, meaning patients can still be seen from home without geographic restrictions. The dreaded in-person visit requirement for mental health telehealth? Delayed again. Audio-only sessions remain allowable for patients who can't or won't do video.

Meanwhile, interstate practice got easier. PSYPACT now covers roughly 40 states for psychologists, and the Counseling Compact went live with its first member states. Nearly half of all states now require private insurers to reimburse telehealth at parity with in-person visits.

The takeaway: Keep investing in your telehealth infrastructure. If you haven't explored licensure compacts, now's the time—joining one could instantly expand your reach across state lines.

3. AI Became Your (Cautious) Office Assistant

2025 was the year AI stopped being theoretical and started being practical. Over half of psychologists surveyed had experimented with AI tools, up from just 29% the year before. The use cases? Refreshingly mundane: drafting progress notes, creating client handouts, summarizing lengthy articles. Some clinicians reported cutting note-writing time from an hour to 15 minutes of editing an AI draft.

But healthy skepticism remains warranted. Only 8% used AI for clinical decision support, and concerns about privacy breaches (67%), bias (63%), and "hallucinated" misinformation (60%) are widespread. The consensus: AI can help with burnout-inducing paperwork, but it's not running your sessions or making diagnostic calls.

The takeaway: Test-drive an AI tool for administrative tasks if you haven't already. Use HIPAA-compliant platforms, strip identifying information, and always review AI output before it goes anywhere. Think of it as a junior assistant—helpful, but you're still the supervisor.

4. The Workforce Crunch Persists

Here's the sobering news: over 122 million Americans live in mental health provider shortage areas, and 51% of early-career psychologists report burnout—three times the rate of late-career colleagues. The supply of new clinicians simply isn't keeping pace with demand.

One notable trend: therapists continue leaving insurance networks. Surveys show 34% cite financial factors, 26% point to administrative burdens, and 13% explicitly name burnout as their reason for going out-of-network. It's a vicious cycle—workforce shortages fuel burnout, which pushes providers away from insurance, which makes it harder for patients to find care.

The takeaway: Guard your own sustainability. Early-career clinicians should seek mentorship and negotiate reasonable caseloads. Practice owners need to prioritize staff wellness or risk losing people. If insurance feels unsustainable, you're not alone in reconsidering your panel participation—just weigh the access implications.

5. Insurance Policy: Small Steps, No Revolution

Don't expect payers to save the day. Prior authorization headaches persist, though relief is coming: by January 2026, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans must respond to standard prior auth requests within 7 days. Mental health parity enforcement remains weak, and network adequacy—having enough in-network providers to actually serve patients—saw no dramatic improvement.

The year was more about laying groundwork than delivering transformation. Good Faith Estimates became routine for private-pay patients, and state-level wins on telehealth parity and prior auth reform signal growing momentum.

The takeaway: Stay compliant with existing requirements like Good Faith Estimates. Watch for the 2026 prior auth rules and use them as leverage when plans drag their feet. Incremental change is still change—use the tools you have.

Looking Ahead

2025 wasn't a year of seismic shifts, but the cumulative effect matters. New billing codes put money back in your pocket. Telehealth permanence gives you flexibility. AI can reclaim hours of your week. Understanding the workforce crisis helps you protect yourself and your team. And knowing what's coming on the policy front lets you plan accordingly.

What change mattered most to your practice this year? Hit reply and let us know—we'd love to hear what's working (or not) in your corner of the field.

Quick Resources

• CMS 2025 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

• PSYPACT State Map (psypact.org)

• APA Practice Organization Telehealth Resources

• SAMHSA Behavioral Health Workforce Resources
  
  

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, billing, or clinical advice. Always consult with appropriate professionals, supervisors, and your state licensing board regarding specific practice decisions.