Insurance, Fees, & Policies

In an effort to reduce financial barriers and increase access to quality mental healthcare, I reserve a limited number of reduced-rate spots in my schedule for those who cannot afford my full rate. Sliding scale slots are available for which you may pay $60-$100 depending on what best fits your budget and is based on financial need.

Out of Network means I do not have an agreement with your health insurance, and I set my professional fees.

Questions to ask your insurance company:

• Does my plan cover CPT codes (your insurance provider will know what that means) 90791 and 90837?

• Has my deductible been met this year? If not, how much is left?

• Am I eligible for Telehealth mental health services?

• What is my out-of-network deductible for outpatient mental health?

• What is my out-of-network coinsurance for outpatient mental health?

• Is there a limit to the number of sessions I am allowed?

• Do I need a referral from an in-network provider to see someone out-of-network?

• How do I submit claim forms for reimbursement?

• No diagnosis is required for services.

To bill an insurance company, you will have to receive a diagnosis. This means that insurance will have a record that will contain your information. Unfortunately, this can give you a "pre-existing condition." It isn't terrible from a mental health perspective; however, not everyone feels that way about mental health diagnoses.

• Confidentiality

Health Insurance companies have access to your information. In the case of an audit, they have access to all of your private details.

• The decision to control your therapeutic journey.

Some insurance companies only provide a limited number of sessions. I mean, how is that fair? Insurance companies may also try to push therapeutic approaches that do not tailor to your specific needs, as they do not consider your identity.

Insurance companies require that a treatment plan be submitted to approve the number of sessions, and ultimately, they use this to determine how your time in therapy is spent. A claims specialist determines the number of sessions (a non-mental health professional you have never met and does not know your presenting concerns and history) and is not based on need and your goals for therapy.

• Avoid surprise costs

Insurance companies will warn you, "A quote for benefits does not guarantee payment…." This means that despite being told verbally (over the phone) that something is covered and possibly even being given an authorization number, you can still be denied once they review the diagnosis. 

If you attend therapy sessions under the belief you are using health insurance to cover your visit, and your therapist receives a denial of the claim, you are still responsible for the full payment of your sessions. At the same time, your treatment is likely interrupted (unless you choose to continue paying out of pocket). You can attempt to appeal the claim with your insurance company, but be prepared to go through several levels of appeals, which can take weeks to months.

After reading, if you have any more questions, I encourage you to contact your insurance provider to learn more about your Out-of-Network providers and benefits. You may often be able to be reimbursed for a portion of your services through a Superbill.

Payment Methods: I accept American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa. You may request to use your HSA (Health Spending Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) to pay for services. Please get in touch with your HSA or FSA company regarding questions related to covered funds.

All payments are processed via Simple Practice, a HIPAA complaint platform. I do not currenrly accept payments via PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, check, or cash.

Late Cancellation/No-Show: 24-hour notice is required to cancel and reschedule an appointment. If the appointment is canceled in less than 24 hours, you will be charged the full session rate for your session. Appointments that are canceled in less than 24 hours may be rescheduled due to emergencies for no charge. Please contact the office via phone, text, or email if you need to reschedule your appointment.

Good Faith Estimate Information

Under the No Surprises Act (H.R. 133 - which went into effect on January 1, 2022), health care providers need to give clients or patients who do not have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

• This Good Faith Estimate shows the costs of items and services that are reasonably expected for your health care needs for an item or service. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created.

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes (under the law/when applicable) related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

• The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or special circumstances occur. If this happens, federal law allows you to dispute (appeal) the bill.

• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

  • You may contact the health care provider or facility listed to let them know the billed charges are higher than the Good Faith Estimate. You can ask them to update the bill to match the Good Faith Estimate, ask to negotiate the bill, or ask if there is financial assistance available.

  • You may also start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If you choose to use the dispute resolution process, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days (about 4 months) of the date on the original bill.

  • There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process. If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you will have to pay the price on this Good Faith Estimate. If the agency disagrees with you and agrees with the health care provider or facility, you will have to pay the higher amount.

• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate within the following timeframes:

  • If the service is scheduled at least three business days before the appointment date, no later than one business day after the date of scheduling;

  • If the service is scheduled at least 10 business days before the appointment date, no later than three business days after the date of scheduling; or

  • If the uninsured or self-pay patient requests a good faith estimate (without scheduling the service), no later than three business days after the date of the request. A new good faith estimate must be provided, within the specified timeframes if the patient reschedules the requested item or service.

• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

• This is the public disclosure of the “Good Faith Estimate”

Note: A Good Faith Estimate is for your awareness only. It does NOT involve you needing to make any type of commitment.

To learn more and get a form to start the process, go to www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059. Keep a copy of this Good Faith Estimate in a safe place or take pictures of it. You may need it if you are billed a higher amount.

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out.