Fees and Insurance

Fees

Because we care, we do our best to keep our fees as reasonable as possible. Our guidelines are aimed at providing you with the best possible services at affordable rates. Our office staff will be happy to discuss charges with you before you make an appointment.

Payments

Mental health treatment is an investment in yourself and your future. We can discuss any questions or concerns you may have about payment arrangements when we meet. Unless other arrangements are made prior to the visit, payment in full is expected at the time services are rendered. We accept MasterCard, Visa, money orders, cashier's checks, cash, or personal checks (with proper identification). We require that the financially-responsible party provide us with a current photo ID which we will copy and keep on file.

Insurance/Financial Arrangements

Insurance policies vary in terms of payment for mental health services or the other services we offer. Some policies will only pay for certain diagnoses and not for others. Some will have a more restrictive plan for mental health services than for medical services. Others may have a separate deductible or larger deductible for mental health services while still other insurance plans will limit the type of provider you see (e.g., only doctoral level providers) or which specific provider you see (e.g., as with HMO, PPO or POS plans). Some plans require a written referral from your primary care physician or preauthorization from a managed care company affiliated with your insurance carrier, while others do not. While we have found that most insurance companies do not cover mediation, marriage/couple counseling, social skills training, educational advocacy and educational support services, you may wish to check with your insurance representative if you are unsure.

Since there is such a wide variety in the types of coverage offered, we strongly encourage you to contact your insurance provider prior to setting up an appointment for any services. We have found over the years that some people may wind up in a financial bind and/or have to terminate treatment before it is completed because of misunderstandings about if and how their particular insurance plan works. (Note: If you have any questions about if we are affiliated with your particular PPO or HMO, please ask to speak with our director.)

Except when we have a contract with a particular insurance company plan*, it is our policy to have you pay for your session at the time service is rendered. If you wish to submit that bill to your insurance company, we will provide you with a Superbill which has all of the information your insurance company needs from us in order to process your claim. You should consider both the pros and cons of submitting your bill to your insurance company before submitting any claims. (* In order to insure that we are in compliance with all of our contracts, we will ask to see a copy of your insurance card (front and back) prior to or at the time of your first appointment and whenever you notify us that your insurance coverage has changed. Asking to see your insurance card does not indicate that we are part of your insurance plan or that we will bill your insurance for you.)

Because we believe in the special benefits of our services and are committed to working with those people in need, we are willing, under special circumstances, to work out financial arrangements for clients, provided that these arrangements are discussed in advance of an appointment.

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