Insurance and Cost

When choosing to begin your mental health journey, one of the common questions is how much is this going to cost? The answer to that question isn't always so simple, but here is some information to help that process. First, start by determining if you want to use insurance or if you want to pay out of pocket. When you pay out of pocket, you are covering the cost of the services out of your own pocket at the time of the service. Many people like this option due to a variety of reasons, one of those being the complications of dealing with insurance companies. I will do my best to help with insurance coverage if you choose to go that route. Here are a few things to consider when you are thinking you want to try to use insurance: 

• Insurance companies require diagnosis codes in order to pay for services and at any time, can have access to session notes in order confirm coverage. 

• Understanding your mental health coverage is very important to do before you begin services, as some insurance companies do not cover mental health or your plan may have a deductible that must be met before the insurance will pay a percentage or the entirety. 

• Some questions to ask your insurance company when you call the member services number on the back of your insurance card to check coverage: ​​

• Does my plan cover mental health services?​

• What is my deductible for an in-network provider and what percentage will my plan cover once I meet my deductible? (Some plans may cover the entire amount, some may cover a percentage, and some plans may simply require a co-pay for sessions until the deducible is met)

• If your insurance company is not listed below - this means I do not take your insurance but you may have out of network benefits, so ask the following question; I would like to see an out-of-network provider and would like to know if I have out-of-network coverage? Also, what is my out of network deductible? Once I meet that deductible, what percentage of the allowed amount will I be reimbursed for? What is the allowed amount?

• The Allowed Amount​ is the max amount of money your insurance will cover for a mental health fee out of network. For example: If the allowed amount is $100 and they will only reimburse 60% of that, your insurance company will only reimburse $60 toward the amount you are paying for your out-of-network mental health providers.