Counseling Intro | Counseling Rates | Insurance
I am currently a participating provider with BCBS insurance panel. I am also a participating provider with Cigna insurance panel; however I am not accepting new Cigna insured clients. I am not a participating provider with any other insurance panels; subsequently, I am designated by those insurance companies as an “out-of-network provider”. I have carefully considered the costs and benefits of being part of these panels having been a listed provider with many insurance companies for over 10 years. With so many insurance companies having so many different provider payment scales and schedules as well as rules about how to practice, I have opted to maintain this status.
As explained in the Services and Fees / Client Agreement Forms, payment for services is collected through personal check, cash or Paypal, at or prior to the time of service. Should you choose to utilize the out-of-network insurance option you would be responsible for paying the cost of service in full at or prior to each session. Please note that your insurance company will request a psychiatric DSM 5 diagnosis, even when billing out-of-network. Upon request, I do provide each client with an invoice – a receipt which contains the necessary information for the submission to your insurance company – for your specific insurance reimbursement.
Given the nature of services, appointment times are not overbooked but are scheduled based on your needs and stated availability. Therefore, the appointment time you schedule is reserved exclusively for you. Should you miss your appointment or fail to cancel with a 24 hour notice you will be charged a $75 fee.
Payment for all services is due prior to or at the beginning of each session. Any service not paid by midnight, the day of the scheduled appointment shall incur a $5 late fee. Non-adherence of the payment policy, an outstanding balance, or an excessive number of no show / cancelled appointments may result in the termination of client’s services or forfeit of the current appointment time.
What are your insurance benefits?
Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Potential clients are encouraged to check their plan benefits carefully, prior to scheduling an appointment, to determine which services are covered.
The following questions may be helpful for you to ask your insurance provider:
- Do I have mental health benefits?
- What is my benefits coverage time frame; eligibility period?
- How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- What is my co-payment amount?
- What is my deductible and has it been met?
- Is prior approval required from my primary care physician?
- Does my policy cover my initial assessment (code 90791)?
- Does my policy cover ongoing individual sessions (code 90837)?
- Does my policy cover family therapy sessions (codes 90847)?