Fees, Insurance, and Cancellation Policy
Fees
Initial Intake Appointment (60 mins) = $200
Ongoing Psychotherapy Appointments (50-60 mins) = $175
Insurance
I am in-network with First Choice Health, Premera Blue Cross, and Regence Blue Shield.
*As of May 14, 2024, I will no longer be in network with Regence Blue Shield.
*Please note that I do not verify benefits. Please contact your insurance to verify benefits and to find out about your copay/coinsurance and whether you have a deductible. If I am not in network with your insurance, I can provide a receipt for reimbursement.
If I am not in-network with your insurance carrier or specific plan, it is possible that your insurance plan will cover my services as an out-of-network provider. Please contact your insurance company for more information about out-of-network benefits.
When calling your insurance carrier about your in-network or out-of network benefits (whichever is applicable), questions to ask include:
Do I have a mental or behavioral health policy with in-network/out-of-network benefits?
What are the requirements to use in-network/out-of-network benefits?
Is prior authorization required?
Is a referral required from my primary care physician?
Is there a cap on how many sessions I can have?
What is my co-pay/co-insurance?
Do I have an in-network/out-of-network deductible?
If yes:
What is my in-network/out-of-network deductible?
How much of my in-network/out-of-network deductible has been met?
What is the start date of the calendar year my in-network/out-of-network policy is based on?
If you choose to use out-of-network benefits, you must pay the full fee for service at each appointment and I will provide you with a statement for reimbursement (also known as a superbill) to send to your insurance company for reimbursement. Please note that superbills do not guarantee reimbursement. Please inquire with your insurance company to find out whether they will reimburse you for services received.
Although there are benefits to using insurance, there are also important factors to consider before using your insurance for therapy. These factors include:
Insurance companies typically only cover services that are considered "medically necessary." Therefore, I may be required to diagnose you with a mental health disorder in order for therapy services to be covered by your insurance. However, not everyone who comes to therapy meets the criteria for a mental health disorder, and many people come to therapy for issues not related to a mental health disorder. For instance, some come to therapy so that they can have a safe, judgment free space for processing past and/or current experiences, self-exploration, support, personal growth, and many other personal reasons.
For those who are coming to therapy for treatment of a mental health disorder, insurance companies typically require that the therapist submit your diagnosis and possibly the treatment plan before they will offer reimbursement. They may also require that the therapist submit info about therapy progress.
Some insurance companies limit the amount of sessions you can have. If you choose not to use your insurance, you can stay in therapy for as long as you find it beneficial.
Cancellation Policy
I generally see people weekly or biweekly, depending on needs and circumstances. The slot time and frequency we agree to at the outset of therapy is the same day/time we will meet every week, or every other week, with the exception of vacations, illness, trainings, etc. Available slot times can be limited, so please give at least 48 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a session, as other clients might wish to have your cancelled slot time. Further, in order to operate a sustainable business (i.e., renting office space and other overhead costs) and to make a livable wage, I need to be able to fill as many slots as possible. Therefore, I need at least 48 hours notice for cancelled appointments, so as to have time to fill empty slots. Please provide more advanced notice when possible. There is a fee of $100 for appointments cancelled less than 48 hours in advance (not billable to insurance).
I understand that there may be times when a scheduled appointment needs to be cancelled last minute due to unforeseen circumstances, such as emergencies or sudden illness. Therefore, I will waive the fee for one late cancellation due to sudden illness/emergency within a 6 month period. If there are circumstances resulting in frequent late cancellations (e.g., chronic illness, caring for an ill family member, etc), we can discuss options. Further, the fee for no call/no shows will not be waived, unless it is due to an emergency in which you were not able to contact me (e.g., fender bender, serious injury, etc). Please call, text, or email me as soon as possible. With regard to inclement weather, suspected illness, positive covid test, or covid exposure, appointments will be switched to video, so as to avoid late cancellation fees and frequently missed appointments. Further, if you have mild illness and feel well enough to participate in a therapy session, we can meet via video.
Lastly, as a small business owner, I simply cannot keep my doors open if appointments are frequently cancelled. Therefore, whether appointments are late cancelled or cancelled 48 hours or more in advance, if appointments are frequently cancelled, I will no longer be able to hold your slot time, and we will need to discuss other options. Further, attending regular appointments is key to making progress in therapy. Therefore, I reserve the right to terminate therapy if there is a pattern of missed appointments. If you anticipate missing multiple appointments in a row (e.g., extended vacations, a temporary move, summer camps, sports activities, etc.), I will not be able to hold your slot time. If you will not be able to attend appointments for longer than a month, we will need to terminate therapy until you are able to attend appointments regularly.
LATE FOR APPOINTMENT POLICY: If you are late for a session, the session will still end at the usual time. If you are late 20 minutes or more, this will be considered a missed appointment and a fee of $100 will be charged to the credit/debit card on file.
Notice Regarding Good Faith Estimates
Beginning January 1, 2022, if you’re uninsured or don’t plan to submit your claim to your health plan, health care providers and facilities must provide you with a “good faith estimate” of expected charges before you get an item or service. The good faith estimate isn’t a bill.
Providers and facilities must give you a good faith estimate if you ask for one, or when you schedule an item or service. It should include expected charges for the primary item or service you’re getting, and any other items or services provided as part of the same scheduled experience.
Providers and facilities must give you:
Your good faith estimate before an item or service is provided, within certain timeframes.
An itemized list with specific details and expected charges for items and services related to your care.
Your good faith estimate in writing (paper or electronic). Note: A provider or facility can discuss the information included in the estimate over the phone or in person if you ask.
Your estimate in a way that’s accessible to you.
For more information, please visit:https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers/understanding-costs-in-advance