Insurance: I am in network with First Choice, Kaiser PPO, Premera, Lifewise (except Alpine), Anthem, and some Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans. Clients who have Out-of-Network benefits are welcome to use them (OON clients will receive what is called a “superbill” that they can submit to the insurer for reimbursement).
I try to be as transparent as I can about what it can mean to use insurance for mental health services. Billing insurance means that I have to assign clients a diagnosis (e.g., major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder) that becomes a part of their medical history. While there is no way for me to predict exactly how having a diagnosis may affect clients in the future, I have learned that they may be affected–but not limited to–in the following ways: higher premiums for life insurance, denial of long-term care insurance, denied and loss of eligibility for certain professions (including military service, law enforcement, some firefighting districts, and pilots). The other side to this is having a diagnosis can be validating for many clients and insurance can increase access to mental health services for many people.
Private pay for individual therapy: $240 for intake appointment and $180 for subsequent sessions. Each session is 55 minutes long.
Private pay for couples therapy: $240/60 minutes (I do not accept insurance)
About the Good Faith Estimate
Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage, both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.
Under this law, health care providers need to give patients who do not have insurance or 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 such as medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
- Please make sure your that provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 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.
- Please save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, you can visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises