Fees and Insurance
I have a self-pay practice, which means that I do not contract with any insurance companies. I am considered an “out of network” provider.
If you are seeing me for therapy, out of network insurance reimbursement may be available to you, depending on your insurance plan. You can also use flexible spending and health saving account (HSA) funds for your visits. I can provide you with a receipt to submit directly to your insurance company for any out of network benefits for which you are eligible.
Therapy Rates
The initial consultation with me is $195 and follow up appointments range from $155-180 depending on the type of therapy (individual versus couples) and the length of the appointment. Out of network insurance reimbursement may be available, depending on your plan and my therapy services are also eligible for HSA and FSA funding.
Collaborative Divorce and Mediation Rates
For collaborative divorce and divorce/coparenting mediation my rate is $230 per hour. Elder mediation rates vary based on the complexity of your situation.
As these are not considered clinical services, they are not reimbursable by health insurance.
Reasons to Consider Self-Paying for Therapy
PRIVACY
Self-paying for treatment allows you to have greater control of the privacy of your information. When you use insurance, I must make a mental health related diagnosis for you or your teen. This information is collected in an insurance database and will follow you or your teen and may have unforeseen consequences. This may prevent you from obtaining security clearances, as well as potentially make you ineligible or placed in a higher risk pool for future disability or life insurance. At times I am asked to participate in clinical case reviews in which I must provide a great deal of private information about you to an insurance company representative to justify your treatment. Most often the people I see are not mentally ill, but are struggling with temporary life situations.
ACCESSIBILITY
Having a self-pay practice allows me to limit my caseload, which means that I have more appointments available if you need to be seen quickly or if you need to change your appointment time. It also allows me to put all my energy into providing you or your teen with the best treatment, instead of spending my time addressing billing problems with insurance companies. I can be more accessible to you and generally to provide you with higher quality, more personalized treatment.
FLEXIBILITY
Insurance companies determine what session lengths and formats will be covered. When you self-pay you have more options about how often and long we meet.
Good Faith Estimate (For Therapy Services Only)
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least one business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059.