Considerations about Fees and Insurance
Many people have an insurance plan which covers mental health services only from a contracted provider, who bills your insurance company directly. If you have such a plan, please be aware I have chosen not to contract with these plans. I do not bill insurance companies directly. I do provide monthly statements which you can submit for reimbursement. Many insurance companies will cover 50% to 75% of my fee. If you have a PPO plan, you can be reimbursed.
The best therapy is patient-focused, individualized and custom designed for your needs. You want your therapist to be entirely dedicated to meeting your individual needs and goals. Do be careful about using a therapist who is a contractor of an insurance company because this may affect the therapy you’re offered. Remember that the goal of an insurance company is to provide covered services to members at the lowest possible cost to the insurance company. When you hear the term “managed care,” you might think the care is managed to ensure quality. In fact, the concern is the cost to the insurance company, not the quality of your care.
Insurance companies contract with therapists who are willing to accept very low fees, and who agree to provide limited, low cost care, regardless of patient’s needs. Often, the therapist is required to recommend medicines to you. Why? Because the cost of pills is less than professional time. Many therapists who accept these terms do so because they are just getting started in practice which often means they are inexperienced and probably don’t possess the highest levels of training and skills. Most well-trained mental health professionals with top notch skills do not contract with insurance companies.
I am mindful of the reality of financial constraints. My strategy is to be efficient and focused on goals so time and money are well spent. Good therapy is an investment in yourself. It can powerfully improve the quality of your life and relationships over decades. Research shows psychotherapy can also lead to reduced medical expenses, improved job performance, better parenting, a better marriage and even better health. Therapy can also help avoid enormous emotional and economic costs of divorce and more serious problems.
It makes sense to consider the long range return from your investment in therapy. A professional service is worth what you gain from it over the course of many years. In the long run, good quality care costs you less than low quality care does, because of the benefits over many years. Paying as little as possible for therapy seems like a good deal because the cost is less up front but ultimately, you lose everything you spent if you don’t get the services you need to make meaningful, lasting changes and get your life where you want it to be. The true test of quality in most things relates to how long it lasts and and how well it works over the long haul. This is true in using the services of a dentist, a surgeon or in building a house. Spending the money to do it right the first time is the wisest financial strategy.
Payment
Cash and checks are accepted for payment.
Cancellation Policy
If you do not attend your scheduled appointment and you have not notified me at least 48 hours in advance, you will be required to pay the cost of the session.
