It's worth seeking authorization for reimbursement of long-term personality disorder treatment, says psychologist James Pretzer, PhD, of the Cleveland Center for Cognitive Therapy. But success may depend a lot on how you make your request to a case manager. Pretzer says he has found the following methods effective:
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Approach the case manager collaboratively.
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Show how continued treatment will reduce the risk of hospitalization, over-utilization of medical services or other expensive services.
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Demonstrate that the client is making constructive efforts outside of therapy.
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State your treatment plan in modular terms--what skills you'll work on and what indications of progress can be expected along the way.
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Be prepared to explain the benefits of your approach and why a different therapist or a different treatment approach wouldn't be able to attain the desired results any more quickly.
--K. KERSTING