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Fees & Insurance

Do you take insurance?

 

Yes, but with limitations. I accept Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, PPO and Blue Choice. 

 

Can you take out of network insurance?

 

Possibly. If you have mental health coverage by another insurance company and/or have a PPO plan, services may still be covered in full or in part by your health insurance.

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I encourage you to call your insurance company and ask if you have "out of network benefits." Ask your company for an explanation of benefits (EOB) specifically for out of network providers.

 

You'll want to find out how much you'll be reimbursed each visit, and if there is a separate deductible.

 

If you have an out of network deductible, you'll want to ask how much that deductible will be out of pocket (which means how much will you need to pay out of pocket before they'll reimburse you).

 

These are just recommendations to help you navigate your insurance. Please understand that you are responsible for paying for your sessions regardless of what your insurance company decides. I can't guarantee that you'll be reimbursed. If you wish to be reimbursed, it's important that you discuss these issues with your insurance company prior your first appointment. 

 

Anything else I should know about using my insurance?

 

If you plan on using insurance to pay for counseling, please be aware of the following information:

 

  • Payment for psychotherapy sessions by insurance companies requires me to submit a psychiatric diagnosis.

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  • Some mental health insurance plans require pre-authorization before the first session, or billing will be denied until that authorization is obtained. Please be prepared to provide your authorization number, co-payment, and number of sessions allowed at your first appointment.

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  • Insurance companies do not pay for missed sessions or late cancellation fees. If you miss an appointment or cancel with less than 24 hours notice, you are responsible for the entire contracted rate (your regular co-pay plus the insurance portion).

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  • There are benefits to not using insurance though, especially with children. In order for me to bill your insurance company, I'm required to give your child a diagnosis. This diagnosis can stick with your child permanently, and may impact future insurance rates or even life insurance rates when your child becomes an adult. It's also hard to fully understand the long-term impacts a diagnosis might have on a child's sense of self. It's important to consider both the benefits and potential consequences of using insurance.  

 

What are questions I should ask my insurance company?

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  1. Do I have mental health benefits?

  2. What insurance company provides my mental health coverage and what is the billing address to send claims?

  3. Do I need to obtain an authorization for individual psychotherapy?

  4. What is my deductible and has it been met?

  5. How much does my plan cover for an in-network and out-of-network provider?

  6. What is my co-pay for Individual Psychotherapy sessions for an in-network provider?

  7. How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?

 

Do you offer sliding scale or reduced fees?

 

I offer one reduced fee scholarship position which is currently filled. Beyond that, I do not offer sliding scale services. I place a lot of value on my work, experience, and training and my fees reflect that. By not reducing my fees I'm able to afford more trainings and stay up to date on cutting edge treatment options which ultimately benefit you. I can however, offer a payment plan if financially necessary. I can also offer 0% financing option through care credit. 

 

What are my options if I can't afford to pay all my therapy fees right away?

 

I accept credit card payments so you can pay your credit card bill at your own pace.

 

I'm also able to offer financing through a company called Advance Care. It's a separate financing company that is essentially a credit card that offers 0% APR for anywhere from 6-12 months depending on your credit score. Other options are available for people with credit scores below 640 through a different company. 

 

I can also help you create a payment plan. This can be discussed on an individual basis.

 

What are your fees?

 

All fees are listed under my services page.

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What kind of payments can you accept?

 

I can accept the following:

  • Cash

  • Check

  • Credit (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, JCB)

  • Health Savings Account

  • Advance Care Cards

  • Financing available 

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I also have a nifty little client portal where you can pay your bills online. I love simplicity :)

 

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