appointments
intake & Counseling forms
Please complete ahead of session the Informed Consent and Demographic Information Forms. Counseling intake forms are also available to be completed at my office. Please come 15 minutes early to the first appointment.
payment for counseling
My charge for counseling is based on current, usual and customary fees for this area. My fee as already noted is $150.00 per individual session, $45 per per group session. Additionally, consultations with other professionals and reports prepared on your behalf will be charged a pro-rated fee. Payment may be made with cash, personal checks, Visa or MasterCard. A $25 charge is made for any check returned to us as non-payable for any reason. Accounts over 90 days past due may be sent to collections and additional fees may be applied.
Answers to frequently asked questions about payment for counseling.
If my insurance pays for counseling, do you accept it?
Insurance companies usually have a list of ‘preferred’ providers – providers affiliated with their system who are on their ‘provider panel’. My practice is not affiliated with insurance groups and so is considered by insurance companies to be ‘out of network.’ You may be able to have my services reimbursed as an out-of-network service.
Although I do not accept insurance as payment, nor bill insurance companies, you CAN get reimbursement if your insurance plan allows you to go out-of-network. To get started, you should contact them and ask the following questions:
1. Will my plan reimburse me directly when I go to an out-of-network provider? (Learning to be Human may be out-of-network).
2. Does my plan cover mental health benefits? Specifically, will they reimburse for the following codes:
- 90834 – most important for individual work
- 90837 – most important for individual work
- 90846 – most important for couples & family work
- 90847 – most important for couples & family work
3. What are the terms of my plan—do I have a deductible?
4. What paperwork does my insurance carrier require? This is usually a one-page claim form that the carrier provides to you.
Next, if you are out of network, you will need to fill out their claim form – this typically takes 2 minutes, and I can help you if needed. Make certain that you fill out your insurance claim so that you are the one getting reimbursed. Otherwise, the company will issue a check payable to me, and this will be sent back to them, delaying your reimbursement by weeks or months. Finally, you will receive a monthly statement (typically via email on the first Friday of the month). It will have all the relevant information your insurance carrier will want to process the claim, including a diagnosis. If your insurance restricts any diagnoses, notify me about this before seeking reimbursement.
Any out-of-network services your insurance reimburses you for they will do so after the fact, so my services will need to be paid for in full by you. Our front office will do their best to help you get reimbursed for whatever portion of the service is reimbursable. If after 60 days you have failed to pay the full amount I am legally permitted to retain a collection agency or take you to small claims court to recover the amount owed me. Either action may require me disclosing confidential information about the services. Any legal costs incurred by me in such a proceeding would be included in the claim.
Payment is expected at the time services are rendered either by Cash, Check, or Credit card.
Credit card information is expected to be kept on file and to only be used for session fees in which you do not provide payment in the form of cash or check (unless arrangements have been made with the therapist). Missed appointments not cancelled within the 24 hours advanced notice, not showing up for scheduled appointments, returned check fees and amount of check paid, past due amount over 30 days will also be billed.
Please let me know if you have any questions or require assistance. I’m glad to help!
payment for testing
My charge for testing and assessment is also based on usual customary fees and is $1950 for a standard battery.
Here are answers to common questions about billing and insurance in regards to testing.
If my insurance company pays for the testing, do you accept it?
Insurance companies usually have a list of ‘preferred’ providers – providers affiliated with their system who are on their ‘provider panel’. My practice is not affiliated with insurance groups and so is considered by insurance companies to be ‘out of network.’ You may be able to have my services reimbursed as an out-of-network service. Do know that insurance companies usually do not cover psychoeducational testing – testing for educational purposes – because it is not considered a ‘medically necessary’ procedure.
Any out-of-network services your insurance reimburses you for they will do so after the fact, so my services will need to be paid for in full by you. Our front office will do their best to help you get reimbursed for whatever portion of the service is reimbursable.
Payment is expected at the time services are rendered either by Cash, Check, or Credit card.
If after 60 days you have failed to pay the full amount I am legally permitted to retain a collection agency or take you to small claims court to recover the amount owed me. Either action may require me disclosing confidential information about the services. Any legal costs incurred by me in such a proceeding would be included in the claim.