Google Ads for BH Practices — 2026 Complete Setup

Google Ads is the fastest way to generate patient inquiries for BH practices (24-48 hour ramp vs 6-12 months for SEO). But it requires specific setup because behavioral health is a regulated category.

Step 1: LegitScript Certification (Required for SUD)

• Cost: $995 initial + $1,995 annual renewal
• Timeline: 4-8 weeks approval
• Required for: Addiction/SUD treatment ads
• Not required for: General mental health, therapy, psychiatric services
• Apply at legitscript.com/certification

Step 2: Google Ads Account Setup

1. Create Google Ads account at ads.google.com
2. Link to Google Analytics + Search Console
3. Set up conversion tracking (form submissions + phone calls)
4. Enable enhanced conversions for better attribution

Step 3: Campaign Structure (BH-Optimized)

• Campaign 1: Local Awareness (target city + 15mi radius, low bid)
• Campaign 2: High-Intent Keywords (therapist near me, mental health treatment, insurance-specific)
• Campaign 3: Condition-Specific (ADHD, OCD, trauma, depression, anxiety)
• Campaign 4: Insurance-Specific (“Aetna therapist [city]”, “United BH therapist”)

Step 4: Expected CPCs by Category (2026 Benchmarks)

• General therapy keywords: $8-15 per click
• Insurance-specific keywords: $12-25 per click
• Addiction/SUD keywords: $50-150 per click (very competitive)
• Local geo-targeted: $5-12 per click (best value)

Step 5: Landing Page Requirements

• Match ad copy to landing page headline (Quality Score)
• Include phone number above the fold
• Include contact form (not just phone)
• Include insurance accepted section
• Include real photos (not stock)
• Include HIPAA-compliant form (BAA with form provider)

Expected ROI

• $50/day budget: 10-25 clicks/day = 1-2 form submissions/day = 15-45 patient inquiries/month
• $100/day budget: 20-50 clicks/day = 2-5 form submissions/day = 45-90 patient inquiries/month
• Typical CAC (Cost per Acquired Patient): $200-500 depending on specialty + market
• Typical LTV (Lifetime Value): $2,000-8,000 depending on treatment length
• Break-even at 1 patient per $500-1,000 spent

Revenant Care · Pricing

– KD, Revenant Care