Payment Options

Payment Options

There are several options for payment, including insurance, private pay, and partnerships.

Insurance:

Do you have insurance? Many health insurance plans include mental health benefits. Counseling services may be covered in full or in part by your insurance plan. Based on your health insurance plan, you may be required to pay a co-pay or meet a deductible amount before insurance benefits apply.

Private Pay:

Many clients prefer to be billed directly and pay fees “out-of-pocket.”  I call this the “Private Pay” option.  There are many reasons why this option may be preferable to you, including confidentiality, flexibility, and simplicity. Here are a few thoughts to consider when thinking about Private Pay compared to using insurance benefits:

Confidentiality

Private Pay provides maximum privacy and confidentiality.  Some clients do not wish to have symptoms and/or diagnosis reported to an insurance company, which becomes part of your medical record.  When using insurance benefits, your private health information “PHI” must be disclosed in order to file a claim for the counseling services you receive. Private Pay ensures that your experience stays between you and your therapist.

Flexibility

Private Pay gives optimal freedom and flexibility for your treatment planning.  Insurance benefits are limited to diagnoses published in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual- 5th Edition) and the treatments your insurance company has approved for each diagnosis.  Some clients have goals of self-improvement that are not “diagnosable” and therefore not covered by insurance.  Many clients do not want to be limited to the stipulations of an insurance company when seeing a therapist.

Simplicity

Private Pay keeps things simple.  No phone calls to your insurance company to decipher your coverage.  No mailings from your insurance company that can be confusing or may include private information.  No denied claims requiring your time and attention for follow-up. Many clients today are choosing to forego the hassle involved with dealing with insurance companies.

Partnerships and Financial Assistance:

Many churches and other outreach ministries assist those in need with counseling costs. If this is something you are interested in, I can help you explore the possibility of third party assistance.

Payment Forms:

Forms of payment include: Cash, Check, and Debit/Credit Card.