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Private practice guides for California therapists
Plain-language, source-linked guides to the business side of private practice: starting up, Medi-Cal, insurance credentialing, associates, entities, taxes, and getting found online. Written by Mason Anglin, PsyD, LMFT, MBA, who has done all of it himself.
START A PRACTICEHow to Start a Therapy Private Practice in California: Step-by-Step for LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCsStep-by-step guide for California LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs: license, entity, NPI, HIPAA, insurance vs. cash, taxes, and getting clients. Source-linked.Read the guide BILL MEDI-CALHow to Bill Medi-Cal as a Therapist in California (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)How California therapists bill Medi-Cal: managed care plans vs. fee-for-service vs. county, enrollment, authorizations, codes, and claims. Source-linked.Read the guide PAVE ENROLLMENTMedi-Cal Provider Enrollment Through PAVE: A Guide for California TherapistsHow LMFTs and LCSWs enroll in Medi-Cal through PAVE: individual vs. group vs. rendering, documents to gather, timelines, and common mistakes.Read the guide CREDENTIALINGHow to Get Credentialed With Insurance as a Therapist (California Guide)How therapists get credentialed and contracted with insurance companies in California: NPI, CAQH, applications, contracts, effective dates, and follow-up.Read the guide CAQHCAQH ProView for Therapists: How to Set Up, Attest, and Keep It CurrentWhat CAQH ProView is, how therapists set it up, what to upload, how to authorize payers, and why to re-attest every 120 days.Read the guide ASSOCIATE BILLINGCan Associates Bill Insurance in California? AMFT, ASW, and APCC Billing ExplainedCan AMFTs, ASWs, and APCCs bill insurance or Medi-Cal in California? What the BBS requires and how to confirm payer rules in writing.Read the guide PC VS. LLCProfessional Corporation vs. LLC for Therapists in CaliforniaCan a California therapist form an LLC? Why most use a sole proprietorship or professional corporation, how PC ownership works, and what to ask your CPA.Read the guide TAXESPrivate Practice Taxes for Therapists: Quarterly Estimates, Self-Employment Tax, and California BasicsHow therapists handle quarterly estimated taxes, self-employment tax, and California taxes in private practice. Education only; confirm with a CPA.Read the guide HEADWAY VS. ALMAHeadway vs. Alma vs. Direct Insurance Contracts: Which Is Right for Your Practice?How Headway and Alma compare with direct insurance contracts for therapists: credentialing, rates, admin, control, and portability.Read the guide WEBSITE & GOOGLETherapist Website SEO and Google Business Profile: A Practical Guide for California TherapistsHow therapists get found on Google: website basics, license disclosure, local SEO, and a Google Business Profile that follows Google’s rules.Read the guide
Business education only, not legal, tax, billing, or clinical advice. Confirm current rules with the BBS, DHCS, payers, and your attorney or CPA.
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