I have health insurance and I use it with my medical doctor.  Nonetheless, as a therapist, I have decided not to be a provider on insurance panels.  Seems hypocritical, right?  I have veered away from insurance and turned more towards self-pay due to the following reasons:

 

using insurance impacts you

Insurance companies have the right to audit your mental  health records at any time.  When audited, I must send your diagnosis, date/time and my note with what was discussed during the session.

Additionally, even though you may be ‘healthy’ by normal standards, insurance companies require that you be labeled with a mental illness to receive treatment.  This diagnosis then becomes part of your permanent medical record and may be used against you when applying for future health coverage.

 

Using insurance impacts our work

Insurance companies regulate the length of the session, what treatments are used, and how we use our time.  If they think the length, treatment or intervention does not meet what they determine as medically necessary for your mental health diagnosis, they will not pay for our work.

Payment options

In addition to self-pay, I accept the following two options as they will not impact our work together:

• ‘Health Saving Accounts’ or ‘Flexible Spending Accounts’.  These work like self-pay but with a card.
• ‘Out-of-network’ benefits with your insurance.  These benefits allow you to see someone who does not take your insurance, but the insurance company will reimburse you a percentage of what you are paying the provider (so they may reimburse you 80% of the session cost, for example).

Confused about health savings accounts or out-of-network benefits?  You are not alone!  Please contact me and ask me about these so I can explain them and help you decide what could be best for your situation.

 

Fees

• $175 for a 50-Minute Session for Individuals
• $250 for a 50-Minute Session for Couples
• $1,250 for a 18-Hour “Hold Me Tight Workshop”®
  
• $6,950 for a 24-Hour Private Retreat / Couples Therapy Intensive (equivalent to 6 months of weekly sessions)
  
• $8,950 for a 31-Hour Private Retreat / Couples Therapy Intensive (equivalent to 8 months of weekly sessions)

Payment may be made in the form of cash, check, Venmo or credit card.

 

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