Behavioral Health Clinicians and Good Faith Estimates

Description

You didn’t go into behavioral health to become a legal expert—but new federal regulations now require you to be both clinician and compliance officer. The No Surprises Act and its Good Faith Estimate (GFE) mandate have left many professionals feeling overwhelmed, confused, and vulnerable to costly penalties. If you see private pay or uninsured clients, this isn’t optional—it’s essential.

As the law continues to evolve, clinicians face mounting pressure to stay compliant while focusing on what matters most: client care. This self-study course simplifies the complexity of GFE requirements and gives you practical tools to ensure you're protecting both your clients and your license.

Laura Groshong, LICSW, brings over four decades of clinical and policy expertise to this training. As Director of Policy and Practice for the Clinical Social Work Association and a former registered lobbyist, Laura has worked on the front lines of mental health legislation including the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equality Act and the Affordable Care Act. Her extensive experience ensures you’re learning from someone who not only understands the law—but also understands your work.

With clarity and care, Laura guides you through a realistic approach to implementing Good Faith Estimates in behavioral health practice. Rather than overwhelming clinicians with abstract legalese, she provides real-world strategies that make documentation manageable and legally sound.

This course covers the origin and intent of the No Surprises Act, the core elements of a Good Faith Estimate, who is required to receive one, how to create and update GFEs over time, and the legal and ethical considerations involved. You’ll explore state and federal laws, client documentation, template options, and how to handle disputes and audits. Special attention is given to the unique role mental health providers play in compliance.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the law and its impact: Learn how the No Surprises Act applies to behavioral health and what that means for your practice.

• Apply compliance strategies: Gain clarity on which clients must receive a GFE and how to implement the requirements with confidence.

• Protect your clients and your license: Reduce risk by understanding your legal responsibilities and ethical obligations.

Why this course?

• Practical, not theoretical: Taught by a leading authority who understands both policy and clinical realities.

• Focused on behavioral health: Unlike generalized courses, this training addresses the specific needs and scenarios clinicians face.

• Actionable tools included: Walk away with templates, documentation guidance, and immediate steps for compliance.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the No Surprises Act and the Good Faith Estimate (GFE)

• Apply the GFE concepts to behavioral health clinical practice

• Describe the groups of patients that must receive the GFE

In a time of increasing regulation and documentation demands, this course offers clarity and peace of mind. Let Laura Groshong help you turn legal uncertainty into ethical, practical confidence—so you can stay focused on providing excellent care.

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Format and Access

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Instruction consists of 1.5 hours of video instruction and a post-test.

Course Details

Availability: 

From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.

Who Should Attend: 

This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.

Teaching Methods: 

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.

How to Attend: 

Course access and completion instructions.

Instructor and Disclosures

Instructor

About Laura Groshong, LICSW

Laura Groshong, LICSW, has been in clinical practice for the past 43 years.  She was also a Registered Lobbyist in Washington for five mental health organizations for 25 years.  She has been the Director of Policy and Practice for the Clinical Social Work Association nationally since 2006 and, through the Mental Health Liaison Group, worked on passage of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equality Act of 2008, the Affordable Care Act, and many other pieces of legislation that support and benefit LCSWs.  Laura, a dynamic and engaging speaker, has written and lectured extensively on clinical and legislative issues around the country. 

Disclosure Statement:

The instructor(s) for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.

CE Hours

Credit Hours:

This course consists of 1.5 ethics continuing education hours of credit.

Counselors:

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.

Marriage and Family Therapists: 

Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations.  You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135, effective May 8, 2025.

Social Workers:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 ethics continuing education credits.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.

Addiction Professionals:

This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits, effective 2/9/2022. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

Psychologists:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.

Art Therapists: 

Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.

Other Professionals:

This course qualifies for 90 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations.  Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.

This is a non-interactive, self-study course.

Accommodations and Policies

Close Captioning is available for live webinars and recorded video presentations.

You can click on the following links to view our policies:

• Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities.
• Cancellation Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Support Options
• Disclosure Statement