Rates and Insurance
I recognize that everyone has varying degrees of financial resources, and so I offer limited spots for sliding scale. I currently have a few spots open for those that need it.
My sliding scale is based on The Green Bottle Method by Alexis J. Cunningfolk which is an equitable way to determine rates. It allows those who are doing well financially to offset costs for those in their community who truly need the financial assistance.
Please review the information below to determine which category you fall in.
* “Basic needs” include housing, food, and transportation, whereas “expendable income” refers to the ability to buy coffee or tea at a shop, going to the movies or concerts, buying new clothes or books each month, etc.
Top of the Scale (or the left bottle):
I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic* needs
I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs
I own my home or property OR I rent a higher-end property
I own or lease a car
I am employed or do not need to work to meet my needs
I have regular access to health care
I have access to financial savings
I have an expendable** income
I can always buy new items
I can afford an annual vacation or take time off
Individual therapy: $165
Couples therapy: $180
Initial Intake: $185
Financial Investment
Individual Therapy Session: $165
Couples Therapy Session: $180
Initial Intake Session: $185
Sliding Scale
Middle of the Scale (or the middle bottle):
I may stress about meeting my basic needs but still regularly achieve them
I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs
I own or lease a car
I am employed
I have access to health care
I might have access to financial savings
I have some expendable income
I am able to buy some new items & I thrift others
I can take a vacation annually or every few years without financial burden
Individual therapy: $145
Couples therapy: $160
Initial Intake: $170
Insurance
Bottom of the Scale (or the right bottle):
I frequently stress about meeting basic needs & don’t always achieve them
I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs
I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing
I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but I am not always able to afford gas
I am unemployed or underemployed
I qualify for government assistance including food stamps & health care
I have no access to savings
I have no or very limited expendable income
I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them
I cannot afford a vacation or have the ability to take time off without financial burden
Good Faith Estimate Notice
Individual therapy: $125
Couples therapy: $140
Initial Intake: $145
I am currently not credentialed as in-network with insurance panels. However, I am able to help you use your out-of-network insurance benefits.
Out-of-network benefits are essentially where you bill insurance yourself and receive a reimbursement check for the money you paid the therapist.
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This is a super simple process that most people are unaware they can use. If you get confused, please reach out, and I’d be happy to walk you through it.
Step 1:
Call the number on your insurance card and ask to speak to a representative.
Ask the following questions:
Do I have out-of-network benefits with my plan?
What is my out-of-network deductible?
How much of this deductible have I already paid?
How much will my plan cover for outpatient mental health services after I meet my deductible?
For example, let’s say your out-of-network deductible is $2,000, you’ve already paid $1000 on it, and your coinsurance is an 80/20 split. In this scenario, you would pay for about 6 therapy sessions at $165. After that, your insurance would send you a check for $132 per session. So in the end, you only pay $33 per session.
Step 2:
While on the phone with your insurance representative, ask:
Where do I find the necessary forms to submit an out-of-network claim?
Where do I send the paperwork?
They usually want you to fill out a claim form (which they provide) and submit a super bill (which I provide to you). The forms require simple information, such as who the therapist was, the date of service, etc. Sometimes plans will have you mail the claim to them, or have you submit it online.
Step 3:
Pay for therapy out-of-pocket, submit the necessary forms to insurance, and receive your reimbursement!
*Note: every insurance plan is different, and I cannot guarantee that you have this benefit nor that your insurance company will reimburse you.
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The insurance system has many limitations and often does not fully support clients’ holistic care needs.
It can also place therapists at financial risk. For example, insurance companies sometimes issue what are called “clawbacks,” where they request repayment for services that have already been covered—even long after treatment has ended.
Check out this article to learn more: Ten Reasons Why Your Mental Health Care Provider Stopped (Or Never Started) Taking Your Health Insurance by Dr. K. Hixson.
Under the law, health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.
You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service, or at any time during treatment.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, or how to dispute a bill, see your Estimate, or visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.