Know Your Rights

There are many ways to pay for mental health care. If you’re not using in-network insurance, you can still save by paying with an FSA or HSA (Health Savings Account), asking about bulk session rates or sliding scale options, or filing for out-of-network reimbursement.

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If you’re considering using insurance, I’m here to guide you. Therapy is an investment in yourself, and insurance can be a powerful tool to make ongoing care more accessible and sustainable.

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Using insurance for therapy has many benefits, but there are also a few important considerations. Insurance companies require a mental health diagnosis and have access to that information, including the right to review treatment notes. In some cases, they may also deny coverage for certain sessions.

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Knowing this ahead of time helps you make the choice that feels best for you. I encourage you to explore all your options so you can make an informed decision about using your benefits—and I’m here to help you navigate the process.

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A Note on Telehealth and Online Counseling

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You may see that I am in network with your insurance provider, which is great! Before we get started, I will call your insurance provider to be sure that my services will also be covered for telehealth/online counseling. I encourage you to call your provider, too! 

 

Every plan is different and some major insurance providers want to redirect clients to their automated online therapy platforms when they can. This saves the insurance companies money, but it limits your choices in who you choose as a therapist.

 

It is always a very good idea to call your insurance provider before your first session and at the beginning of each new year when your plan renews. This helps cut down on any unwanted surprises and helps insure smooth coverage for services. 

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The U.S. "No Surprises Act"

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FYI: If you live in the U.S., it is a good idea to know about the "No Surprises Act". The No Surprises Act went into effect on January 1, 2022 and requires any and all medical providers in the United States to notify the public of their federally protected rights to receive information about the costs of medical services.

 

This act is important to anyone who is a patient in any medical facility— and especially important if you use any form of health insurance. That applies to you if you elect to use health insurance, if your care is provided by an out-of-network provider, if you are uninsured, or even if you elect not to use insurance, or if insurance refuses to cover services.

 

The No Surprises Act mandates that all healthcare providers be forthcoming and honest about their prices, upfront, before services are rendered.

 

If you have ever had to go into a hospital and receive a service, like an x-ray, and then later received bills from multiple businesses and providers, or even worse, received a bill that your insurance refused to cover, then you can really feel how helpful it is to know your costs upfront.

 

Here is an official government link to this information: 

https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/statutes/no-surprises-act-2021-consolidated-appropriations-act

 

I’ve written about it here because therapy/counseling (unlike life coaching) is a medical service.

 

The good news is that I only offer one type of therapy/counseling service, at one flat rate. I’m a one-woman-show, so you will never be surprised by therapy with a stranger or a surprise provider. My entire goal is to empower my clients, so we will always be able to work in a collaboration, focused on your goals… and your budget. Before you begin therapy, we will talk about costs and make sure that you feel comfortable and have time to make an empowered decision about when and if you would like to schedule a session. 

 

You may have read above, I always encourage everyone who uses insurance to give their insurance provider a call and ask more about costs. If you decide to work with me and I am in your insurance network, I will also call your insurance provider on your behalf to check on co-pays, deductibles, and costs.

 

You will know exactly what you should pay before you ever start therapy. You will also know your costs in case insurance decides they don’t want to pay for your therapy (this has never happened yet, but things do happen), and  knowledge is empowerment!

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Know Your Coverage and Know Your Rights

 

The very best plan is to contact your insurance company before any treatment and make sure you are approved, and ask any questions that you might think of.

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Remember, you always have choices. You can decide to start or stop using insurance coverage at any point in your treatment, as long as you communicate your wishes ahead of time. You may be able to apply for sliding-scale treatment costs, pre-paid visits at a discount, use pre-tax dollars, or work out a plan that better fits your budget.