Will Power Podcast by Will Humphreys Stop Losing Money: 2027 CPT Changes & Audit Protection with Rick Gawenda
Episode Summary
Are you leaving money on the table because of "fear-based" billing? Live from the Growth Code Conference, host Will Humphreys sits down with the industry’s foremost expert on reimbursement and compliance, Rick Gawenda, President of Gawenda Seminars & Consulting, Inc.
In this episode, Rick strips away the fluff to discuss the massive regulatory shifts coming to Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy. From the looming 2027 Speech Therapy CPT code overhaul to the "when, not if" reality of audits, Rick explains how to protect your license while ethically maximizing your revenue. If you’ve ever worried about a government shutdown affecting telehealth or felt guilty about your profit margins, this conversation is your roadmap to financial clarity and clinical peace of mind.
Key Takeaways
- 35 Years of Expertise -Rick shares his journey from physical therapist to a leading consultant and legal expert witness. He discusses his role in helping therapists stay out of "legal jail" and keep their licenses secure.
- The Hard Truth About Rehab Margins - Why the therapy business is tougher than the restaurant industry. Rick explains how inflation has risen 43% since 2010, while many payers are actually paying less than they did 15 years ago.
- Documentation & The "When" of Audits - Rick previews his Growth Code sessions, focusing on high-level documentation from eval to discharge.
- Breaking News: 2027 Speech Therapy Changes - Rick reveals (within NDA limits) the massive shift coming for SLPs: CPT code 92507 is being deleted in 2027 and replaced by 10 new timed units. This will fundamentally change how pediatric speech therapy is reimbursed.
- The "Top 5" Strategy - Feeling overwhelmed by 200 different insurance carriers? Rick explains the Pareto Principle of billing: Focus on the 5–7 payers that make up 85% of your volume to stay 100% compliant.
- The "Over-Documentation" Trap - Why new grads often under-bill but over-document, and how extra "fluff" in your notes can actually be used against you in court.
- When Does Therapy Actually Begin? A game-changing tip for providers: Therapy starts the moment you greet the patient in the waiting room. Rick explains how to capture those "lost" minutes of assessment and education as billable time.
- Financial Transparency & Staff Retention - How sharing metrics and "Tuesday Huddles" creates a culture of leadership. Rick and Will discuss the true cost of an employee (30–35% above salary) and how to explain this to staff to align goals.
Connect with Rick Gawenda
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gawendaseminarsandconsulting/
- Gawenda Seminars & Consulting Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/gawendaseminars
- Twitter at: https://twitter.com/gawendaseminars - @gawendaseminars
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gscconsulting/ - @gscconsulting
About the Host & Sponsor
- Will Humphreys: Speaker, coach, and founder of the Will Power Podcast. https://www.virtualrockstar.com/will
- Rockstar Virtual Assistant: Scale your practice and reclaim your time with the i
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