Sessions
Appointments are 50 minutes in duration, once per week at a time we agree on, although some sessions may be more or less frequent as needed. The first session is a longer 90-minute session to review your history and to see if I am the best fit for you as your therapist.
I do not accept any insurance plans as payment. I am considered an out-of-network provider. Depending on your current health insurance provider or employee benefit plan, it may be possible for services to be covered in full or in part. Payment is due at time of service but depending on your insurance company you may be able to seek reimbursement for the cost of my services. Most insurance plans offer out-of-network benefits, but all plans vary. Fees will be discussed during initial phone consultation.
Insurance
If you would like to try to use your insurance benefits to cover your cost of treatment, please contact your provider to verify how your plan compensates you for psychotherapy services.
I’d recommend asking these questions to your insurance provider to help determine your benefits:
- Does my health insurance plan include mental health benefits?
- What are my out-of-network benefits and how much can I qualify for as reimbursement for mental health services?
- Do I have a deductible? If so, what is it and have I met it yet?
- Does my plan limit how many sessions per calendar year I can have? If so, what is the limit?
- Do I need written approval from my primary care physician in order for services to be covered?
I believe you have the right to control who you seek treatment from, how many sessions you attend, and how your personal information is shared and used. The following are some of the reasons I do not accept insurance:
- Reduced Ability to Choose: Most health care plans today (insurance, PPO, HMO, etc.) offer little coverage and/or reimbursement for mental health services. Most HMOs and PPOs require “preauthorization” before you can receive services. This means you must call the company and justify why you are seeking therapeutic services in order for you to receive reimbursement. The insurance representative, who may or may not be a mental health professional, will decide whether services will be allowed. If authorization is given, you are often restricted to seeing the providers on the insurance company’s list. Reimbursement is reduced if you choose someone who is not on the contracted list; consequently, your choice of providers is often significantly restricted.
- Pre-Authorization and Reduced Confidentiality: Insurance typically authorizes several therapy sessions at a time. When these sessions are finished, your therapist must justify the need for continued services. Sometimes additional sessions are not authorized, leading to an end of the therapeutic relationship even if therapeutic goals are not completely met. Your insurance company may require additional clinical information that is confidential in order to approve or justify a continuation of services. Confidentiality cannot be assured or guaranteed when an insurance company requires information to approve continued services. Even if the therapist justifies the need for ongoing services, your insurance company may decline services. Your insurance company dictates if treatment will or will not be covered. Note: Personal information might be added to national medical information data banks regarding treatment.
- Negative Impacts of a Psychiatric Diagnosis: Insurance companies require clinicians to give a mental health diagnosis (i.e., “major depression” or “obsessive-compulsive disorder”) for reimbursement. Psychiatric diagnoses may negatively impact you in the following ways:
- Denial of insurance when applying for disability or life insurance;
- Company (mis)control of information when claims are processed;
- Loss of confidentiality due to the increased number of persons handling claims;
- Loss of employment and/or repercussions of a diagnosis in situations where you may be required to reveal a mental health disorder diagnosis on your record. This includes but is not limited to: applying for a job, financial aid, and/or concealed weapons permits.
- A psychiatric diagnosis can be brought into a court case (i.e.: divorce court, family law, criminal, etc.).
It is also important to note that some psychiatric diagnoses are not eligible for reimbursement. This is often true for marriage/couples therapy.
Why Clinicians Do Not Take Insurance:
These involve enhanced quality of care and other advantages:
- You are in control of your care, including choosing your therapist, length of treatment, etc.
- Increased privacy and confidentiality (except for limits of confidentiality).
- Not having a mental health disorder diagnosis on your medical record.
- Consulting with me on non-psychiatric issues that are important to you that aren’t billable by insurance, such as learning how to cope with life changes, gaining more effective communication techniques for your relationships, increasing personal insight, and developing healthy new skills.
Payment
I accept cash, check, and all major credit cards as forms of payment. I also accept payment via PayPal and you can pay directly on my site on this page.
Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend a session, please make sure you cancel at least 24 hours beforehand. Otherwise, you may be charged for the full rate of the session.
Any Other Questions
Please contact me for any additional questions you may have. I look forward to hearing from you!