Reimbursement changes, compensation pressure, and what to do next
If you own a group psychotherapy practice in Illinois with insurance-based revenue, HB 1085 will affect your business. The question is how, and by how much.
The next HB 1085 Decision Lab takes place this November. Space is limited to 6 people. Register Today!
Illinois HB 1085 is one of the most significant insurance reforms our field has seen in years. Starting in 2027, reimbursement rates for many therapy services are set to increase. This is a long-overdue change for mental health providers in Illinois. For therapy practice owners, that may create new opportunities. It also raises important business questions that deserve careful thought before the changes take effect.
Whether reimbursement increases is only part of the picture. The more important question is what these changes will do inside your practice.
Depending on your payer mix, fees for service, current margins, and clinician compensation model, increased reimbursement may improve your financial position, or it may be absorbed by existing structures before it meaningfully strengthens the business.
State-regulated commercial plans will be subject to HB 1085. ERISA and self-funded plans are not. That means the impact on your practice may be partial, uneven, and difficult to estimate without a clear framework.
Contents:
Watch: Informational Webinar
Watch our recent informational webinar where we cover how the HB 1085 Decision Lab can work to help you make clear decisions about:
- What needs to change (now versus later)
- Whether and when to adjust your fees for service
- Whether your current compensation model remains viable
- How to balance clinician compensation with practice sustainability
If you have questions about whether this workshop is right for you, schedule a complimentary 30-minute discovery call.
Next Steps for Your Practice
Most practice owners realize that HB 1085 is not just something to understand. It is something to decide how to respond to. There are two ways to work with me:
- Option 1: a small-group Decision Lab
- Option 2: individual one-on-one consulting sprint
- Coming soon: small-group decision lab for solo practice owners
Option 1:
HB 1085 Decision Lab for Group Practice Owners
Many owners are sitting with a version of the same question: I think this affects my practice, but I’m not sure what to do about it. The Decision Lab is designed to move you to a clear answer.
The Lab runs over four sessions with 4 to 6 participants, and you leave with a written Decision Summary.
By the end, you will have made clear decisions about:
- Whether and when to adjust your fees for service
- Whether your current compensation model remains viable
- How to balance clinician compensation with practice sustainability
- What needs to change now versus later
Decision Lab Schedule
- Dates: November 2, 9, 16, 23
- Times: Mondays, 9-11 AM (CST)
- Investment: $1,500
- Limited to 6 people.
The Lab meets in a small group of practice owners, typically 4 to 6 participants, over four structured sessions.
Session 1: Revenue reality and payer mix Identify what portion of your revenue is likely affected, what is not, and how reimbursement changes may show up in your practice.
Session 2: Margin and compensation pressure Examine how your current expense structure and compensation model interact with potential reimbursement increases.
Session 3: Model design and tradeoffs Compare compensation approaches, including adjusted percentage models, salary plus bonus, and hybrid structures.
Session 4: Decision and next steps Stress-test your direction, finalize your decisions, and define immediate next actions.
You will complete the Lab with a written Decision Summary that includes:
- Your decision about fees for service
- Your compensation model direction
- Key assumptions behind the decision
- Immediate next steps
This Lab is for group practice owners who:
- Have insurance-based revenue
- Are navigating thin or uncertain margins
- Are considering changes to fees or compensation
- Want structure and accountability in decision-making
- Would benefit from hearing how other owners are thinking through similar issues
This Lab may not be the right fit if you:
- Want general education only
- Are not ready to look at your practice finances
- Need highly individualized financial modeling from the start
- Prefer to work privately on your own numbers
If you haven’t attended the webinar, schedule a 30-minute complimentary discovery call with me. We’ll cover the same ground and confirm the Lab is the right fit for you.
Please note that the current Lab is designed for group practice owners, where compensation models and payer mix create the most complexity. If you are a solo practice owner, please join the waitlist — a Decision Lab designed for solo practitioners is in development for later this Summer.
Option 2:
1:1 Consulting Sprint for Therapy Practice Owners
Some owners prefer to move more quickly, or to work through their own financials in a private setting. If that describes you, individual consulting may be a better fit.
This is the right path if you are facing near-term decisions or need a more individualized level of support. Available for group and solo practice owners.
In one-on-one work, we can:
- Model your specific payer mix and reimbursement scenarios
- Assess whether your fees for service need to change
- Evaluate your current compensation structure
- Determine how much the business can afford to pay leadership
- Preserve practice sustainability
- Develop a streamlined implementation plan
Coming Soon
HB 1085 Decision Lab for Solo Practice Owners
If you are a Solo Practice Owner, we are developing our HB 1085 Decision Lab for a future 2026 date. Space is limited to 6 solo practitioners, reserve your spot today.
Topics:
- Model your specific payer mix and reimbursement scenarios
- Evaluate your current compensation structure
- Assess whether your fees for service need to change
- Determine how much the business can afford to pay you
- Preserve practice sustainability
- Develop a clear and practical implementation plan
Book a complimentary call
I bring 25+ years of practice management, business development, marketing and strategy to these closed, small peer advisory groups.
Schedule a complimentary call with me to see if the HB 1085 Decision Lab is a good fit for you.
Is HB 1085 Decision Lab right for you?
If you’re on the fence, you’re probably not doubting the value of working through this. You’re wondering if this is the right time, whether your situation is complicated enough to warrant it, or whether you’re ready to look closely at your numbers. Those are the right questions to ask. I’m here to talk over any concerns you have and to help you decide if Decision Lab is the right fit for you.
FAQs
Do I need to attend the webinar before joining the Decision Lab?
No. If you haven’t attended the webinar, schedule a complimentary 30-minute discovery call with me first. We’ll cover the same ground and confirm the Lab is a good fit for your practice.
Will the webinar be recorded?
Yes. If you can’t attend either live session, a recording will be available. [Add: link or signup to be notified]
How many people are in the Decision Lab?
The Lab is limited to 4 to 6 group practice owners. The small group size is intentional, it allows for direct coaching and meaningful peer input on each owner’s situation.
What is the cancellation policy for the Decision Lab?
If you cancel at least one week before the Lab begins, you will receive a 50% refund. No refunds are available once the Lab is underway.
Is the Decision Lab right for solo practice owners?
The current Lab is designed for group practice owners, where compensation models and payer mix create the most complexity. If you are a solo practice owner, join our waitlist — a Decision Lab designed for solo practitioners is in development. Because demand is high and space is limited, a $500 refundable deposit is requested to join the waitlist.
Register today! Registration is limited to 6 owners – join us!
Take the Next Step: Register for the HB 1085 Decision Lab
If you’re a psychotherapy practice owner in Illinois, the time to plan is now.
