Explanation of Fees
Private Pay
I am considered an out of network provider for insurance companies. I do not bill insurance companies directly, but I do provide you with a receipt that you can submit to your insurance company. I operate on a fee for service basis, and I accept cash, check, or credit cards. Please contact your insurance company directly to ask what your coverage is for outpatient mental health visits.
There are many reasons why I do not accept insurance:
There are many reasons why I do not accept insurance:
Confidentiality & Privacy |
Most insurance companies require a mental health diagnosis in order for therapy to be covered. This can force a therapist to label clients with a mental illness - even if no clear diagnosis exists. This becomes part of the client's permanent medical record.
As a private provider, I only have to disclose your diagnosis if you ask me to - or in the rare circumstance where mandatory reporting is required. |
Treatment Flexibility |
Insurance companies provide payment for only certain types of therapy. They also may limit appointment frequency, duration, and/or location. This means that certain types of therapy, like family therapy, may not be covered. Or, you could want (and benefit from) a 60 minute session twice per week, but insurance will only allow 30 minutes, once per week. They could even require that observed family meals occur in an office setting, rather than at home. Unfortunately, these restrictions don't allow treatment to be tailored to the client, forcing the therapist to do the best they can with what the insurance company allows.
By remaining Independent, I can focus your treatment on what you need - not what someone else decides. |
Therapist Continuity |
Therapy can take time. Insurance, though, seems to change every year. Sometimes those changes can force clients to leave their current therapist and find a new "in network" one.
As my client, you will always be able to see me even if your insurance coverage changes. |