Frequently Asked Questions & Practice Policies
Are You Eligible for
Insurance Reimbursement?
Follow the steps below to get confirmation of reimbursement from your insurance company.
Step 1: Call your insurance company
You can locate the member services phone number on the back of your insurance card.
Step 2: Find out if you have out-of-network benefits
Ask the rep: "Does my plan include *out-of-network* benefits for mental health care? Specifically, for outpatient therapy at a counseling office?"
Step 3: Find out if you owe a deductible before the coverage kicks in
Ask the rep: "Do I have a deductible for out-of-network mental health services, and if so, what is the remaining amount I would have to pay before my health plan starts to reimburse me for any fees I pay out-of-pocket?"
Step 4: Find out how much your plan will reimburse you
Ask the rep: "What is the maximum amount my plan will reimburse for mental health service code 90834 with a Licensed Counselor?" If the rep does not provide a clear answer, ask: "What is the maximum allowed amount for mental health service code 90834 with a counselor, and what percentage of the maximum allowed amount will my plan pay?" (This percentage of the maximum allowed amount is the amount you would receive as reimbursement.) We hope this helps!
Step 5: Generate your “superbill”!
Your superbill will be available to you via the client portal after our sessions. You can generate these at your convenience and submit to your insurance.
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To ensure your privacy, we do not accept insurance. Some insurance carriers will reimburse you for sessions; however, please call them in advance to confirm. We provide a receipt for services known as the superbill. The client is responsible for submitting the superbill to the insurance carrier for reimbursement.
Information on how to contact your insurance company is listed at the bottom of this page.
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During the first session, the discussion will mainly focus on background information and establishing a foundation for a therapeutic relationship. We believe the counseling relationship is the most important component of therapy. If you don’t feel completely comfortable and at home, we will be happy to find another counselor for you, within or outside of our practice.
We identify your goals and ideas for feeling happier during your first session, and homework. Progress cannot happen with one or two hours of work per week. The real work happens within you, throughout the normal day. We use several different methods of homework for you. There are no consequences for not completing homework and we will discuss the methods which you find most enjoyable (reading, audio books, podcasts, etc.). At the conclusion of each session, we will do a quick summary, discuss homework, and schedule future appointments.
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Energy healing is a holistic practice that activates the body's subtle energy systems to remove blocks. By breaking through these energetic blocks, the body's inherent ability to heal itself is stimulated.
Check out the following link for more information about energy healing: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-23890/what-everyone-should-know-about-energy-healing.html
PRACTICE POLCIES AND REQUIRED LEGAL INFORMATION
PAYMENT
Fees are due and paid at the conclusion of the session on the day that services are rendered. We accept all major credit cards, HSA, and cash. If paying in cash, please bring the exact amount, as we do not hold cash on site.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you are unable to attend a session, please make sure you cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours beforehand.
STANDARD NOTICE
“Right to Receive a Good Faith Estimate of Expected Charges” Under the No Surprises Act
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, please visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises
YOUR RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS
When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing. What is “balance billing” (sometimes called “surprise billing”)?
When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, such as a copayment, coinsurance, and/or a deductible. You may have other costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network.
“Out-of-network” describes providers and facilities that haven’t signed a contract with your health plan. Out-of-network providers may be permitted to bill you for the difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount charged for a service. This is called “balance billing.” This amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service and might not count toward your annual out-of-pocket limit.
“Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care - like when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in-network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider. You are protected from balance billing for:
Emergency services. If you have an emergency medical condition and get emergency services from an out-of-network provider or facility, the most the provider or facility may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount (such as copayments and coinsurance). You can’t be balance billed for these emergency services. This includes services you may get after you’re in stable condition, unless you give written consent and give up your protections not to be balanced billed for these post-stabilization services.
Certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center. When you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most those providers may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitals or intensive services. These providers can’t balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections not to be balance billed. If you get other services at these in-network facilities, out-of-network providers can’t balance bill you unless you give written consent and give up your protections. You’re never required to give up your protection from balance billing. You also aren’t required to get care out-of-network. You can choose a provider or facility in your plan’s network. When balance billing isn’t allowed, you also have the following protections: You are only responsible for paying your share of the cost (like the copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that you would pay if the provider or facility was in-network). Your health plan will pay out-of-network providers and facilities directly.
Your health plan generally must: Cover emergency services without requiring you to get approval for services in advance (prior authorization). Cover emergency services by out-of-network providers. Base what you owe the provider or facility (cost-sharing) on what it would pay an in-network provider or facility and show that amount in your explanation of benefits. Count any amount you pay for emergency services or out-of-network services toward your deductible and out-of-pocket limit.
If you believe you’ve been wrongly billed, you may contact: The Secretary of State, 214 State Capitol SW, Atlanta G 30334 (844) 753-7825.
Visit https://www.cms.gov/files/document/model-disclosure-notice-patient-protections-against-surprise-billing-providers-facilities-health.pdf for more information about your rights under Federal law.