I am a therapist because I enjoy the work of helping people find
solutions to the problems in their lives.
However, it is also the way I make my living.
Professional relationships work best when client and
professional have a shared understanding about financial issues.
The question of health insurance has become very complicated.
If you have health insurance it will usually provide some
coverage for mental health treatment.
However, there is a tremendous range in benefits available so
it is important that you find out exactly what mental health
services your insurance policy covers.
Most policies have limits on frequency of visits, and limit
what services are covered.
You should contact your insurance carrier directly to
determine your policy benefits. I will fill out forms and provide
you with whatever assistance I can in helping you receive the
benefits to which you are entitled.
Health insurance benefits can only be used for
the treatment of illness.
This means that I must assign a psychiatric diagnosis about
you before benefits will be available.
Additionally, some insurance carriers utilize case management
where I am required to provide additional clinical information such
as treatment plans or summaries before authorization of treatment is
given. I will make
every effort to release only the minimum information about you that
is necessary for the purpose requested.
Insurance companies often change their approved provider listings.
I am selective about what plans I agree to participate
because some insurance plans come with serious restrictions to the
client and provider.
Complications with health insurance can include loss of privacy and
loss of control of treatment.
Some insurance companies want a thorough description of your
problems, history, work life and so on.
Decreases in privacy may lead to decreases in your openness.
The more that is true, the less effective our work together
can be. For this reason, I choose not to participate in insurance
plans that require extensive release of personal and private
information.
Additionally, I believe the two people who can best make treatment
decisions are the client and therapist, in partnership.
I do not participate in plans where treatment decisions are
controlled by intrusive case management where officials of the
insurance company, many of which have limited training in therapy,
make the decision if treatment is authorized.
Even if I am not “in-network” with your plan, it is helpful to
understand your “out-of-network” benefits as often it is worth paying
higher out of pocket costs to see the person you really
want to work with.
For your convenience, I am happy to accept VISA and MasterCard.
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