Fees:
$150 per 55 minute session of individual, family or couples therapy. Reduced rates may be available depending on circumstances.
Accepted payment types:
For office visits I accept cash, check and all major credit cards. Online sessions are billed to a credit card number that will be requested when you set up an account at my online office
Reimbursement Information
Government agencies and insurance companies determine their own reimbursement policies--and insurance companies may have contracts providing different packages of coverage for different employers.
Third party payers accept or reject a claim for direct payment depending on several factors. Unless you have verified that your provider is listed as eligible for coverage under your program, you should expect to pay fees at the time of service. It is best if you call and ask your benefits office about eligible providers and billing processes. In some cases insurance coverage requires pre-authorization before the first session (in this case your insurance card should have a telephone number on the back that must be called for authorization).
Reimbursement is generally based on 4 factors: a reimbursable problem, policy limitations, provider credentials, and provider membership on a Panel of Approved Providers.
- Reimbursable problems. If clients are utilizing health insurance coverage, reimbursement will be limited to problems that fall under the general category of mental health--emotional and behavioral problems. Job loss and unemployment, for example, would not be seen as reimbursable. But depression and anger control problems--possibly in response to unemployment or job loss--would be mental health issues. Marital or parent-child relationship problems are not, in themselves, reimbursable. but symptoms resulting from such problems are eligible. If you are accessing benefits through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) rather than health insurance, eligibility rules may be very different. EAP programs often pay for services that are more preventive in nature, not requiring symptoms.
- Policy limitations. Policy limits vary tremendously. Under the most strict policies, known as Managed Care programs, a central office reviews every request and only authorizes brief service episodes such as 3-5 sessions upon the first request. Additional sessions must be requested based on the provider’s verification of the problem and assessment of problem severity. Other policies may limit the number of sessions in a calendar year and only begin paying after a deductible has been satisfied. It is your responsibility to know your policy limits.
- Coverage for provider credentials. Determination of eligible providers is done by each payer. My credentials, as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Michigan, are accepted by almost all health insurance companies. (Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan has updated its policies, and effective January 1, 2016 they began to reimburse LPC providers).
- Approved Provider Panel. Some 3rd party payers only pay for services provided by individuals and/or groups whose credentials are on file with the payer, have met special eligibility criteria, and have agreed to accept reduced fees for that insurance company’s clients. At this time I am an approved provider for the Tricare programs that serve active duty and retired military personnel and their dependents.
Cancellations:
Please notify me at least 24 hours in advance if you need to change your appointment. If you miss your appointment and fail to notify me, I will bill you for the full cost of the session.
