VPA Members
News, information, and resources exclusively for members of the Vermont Psychological Association.
Insurance News & Updates
BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont–Request for Updated Information
The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act requires that health plans and insurers verify the demographic information for providers every 90 days. BCBSVT has been sending emails requesting this update/verification to providers this year; you may get similar requests from MVP, Cigna, or other health insurers.
If you are on the BCBSVT panel, you will get an email at the email address you gave BCBSVT at enrollment (or updated email address), and the email will be from noreply@bcbsvt.com. Please check your spam/junk folder for these previous emails and designate that email address as legitimate or “not junk,” depending on your email service.
The email will contain a link to your practice information/provider(s) which will allow you to accept or change the reported data.
For questions about the process or any technical difficulties you have updating or approving your information, you can contact BCBSVT Provider Relations by email at providerrelations@bcbsvt.com or phone them at (888) 449-0443, option 1.
If you have questions about the details related to your information, you will need to contact Provider Files either by email at providerfiles@bcbsvt.com or phone them at (888) 449-0443, option 2.
If you don’t respond to the requests for updated information, you can be removed from the provider directory, and the IRS, HHS, and in some cases your patients can enforce these requirements (usually with a hefty monetary fine).
Sending a message on the listserv
Need to send a message to other VPA members? You can send a message to the listserv (which goes to nearly all VPA members) by simply emailing vpa@lists.apaservices.org. That’s all it takes!
COVID Information
Looking for COVID information about licensing and other professional matters? Check the Office of Professional Regulation’s COVID Response page.
You can read the current guidance for health care professionals from the Vermont Department of Health here.
Use Your Benefits
Ethics Consultations
Got an ethical dilemma? Ethics question? Schedule a consultation with the Ethics Committee by emailing VPA or calling VPA at (802) 229-5447. Just let us know you need a consultation.
Discounts
VPA members get a $50 discount on high-quality CE workshops sponsored by VPA. Find your next workshop here. VPA members also receive the same rate as NHPA members on events sponsored by the New Hampshire Psychological Association, and $10 off webinars sponsored by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists.
Billing/Reimbursement Consultations
Are you finding billing confusing–or frustrating? Medicaid or Medicare rules confusing? Schedule a consultation with the Insurance Committee by emailing VPA or calling VPA at (802) 299-5447. Just let us know you need a consultation.
Access to PsycNet
VPA reimburses its members for access fees to APA’s PsycNet research database (up to 4 accesses per year). You can get access to print a particular article, or search the database for 24 hours, for $14.95 through APA’s website. Get started by clicking here. Just submit your receipt from APA to VPA’s executive director to get your reimbursement.
Communication & Connection
VPA is here to help you make connections and network with your peers. Our full-time executive director is available to direct you to resources, connect you with other members, and help you get the consultations and information you need. Our newsletter helps keep you informed about new developments in your field, as well. We are constantly looking for ways to connect our members, so we welcome your suggestions!
You also get access to our members-only listserv. It’s a great place to communicate and collaborate on matters important to mental health professionals. Our listserv is another tool VPA provides to help you connect and network with your colleagues. All you have to do is send your email to vpa@lists.apaservices.org and it will to nearly all VPA members.
Quick Links for Members
- Board of Directors
- Mission Statement
- Bylaws
- Request VPA’s 990 Information Return
- Contact the Executive Director
Business of Practice
The Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Civil Rights, which is the governmental organization charged with enforcing HIPAA, offers guidance on its website on various provisions of HIPAA, as well as sample forms and notices.
- HIPAA Basics for Providers: a beginner’s guide to HIPAA
- FAQ for Health Professionals: gives guidance on a variety of indexed topics
- HIPAA–Mental and Behavioral Health: guidance for how HIPAA applies to mental and behavioral health providers
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Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.