INSURANCE
We accept Anthem BCBS, United Healthcare and UMR. If your insurance is not accepted at our practice, we could still provide counseling services as an out-of-network provider. As an out-of-network provider, we will provide you with a statement so you can file your claim with your insurance company. You will be required to pay the fee at the time of services and request reimbursement from your insurance company. We will gladly issue you a receipt along with a monthly itemized statement of services provided to submit to the insurance company. When you use your insurance company, they and your employer can have access to your confidential information, including diagnosis. Often times, if you need to change health insurance or receive life insurance, this information can be researched. I would urge anyone seeking therapeutic assistance to consider the confidentiality consequences and long-term outcomes of using your insurance company. We do not accept Medicaid/HIP/HHW.
Some things to think about when choosing to your insurance cover for counseling services:
Insurance limits the number of sessions
Often, insurance will pay for a limited number of sessions. When you have exhausted a certain number of sessions (depending on the insurance company, diagnosis, and so on) they may not cover future sessions. This interferes with the ability for you to get quality therapy.
Insurance waives your right to your privacy
In order for you to use your insurance, your therapist must tell your insurance company your diagnosis and other personal information. On the surface, this does not seem like a big deal. However, this information will stick with you as time goes on. This could raise your insurance rates or even cause an insurance company to deny you. If you purchase insurance out of pocket sometime in the future, (lets say you start your own business) you MUST disclose any previous treatment during the application process.
Insurance may limit your choice of therapist
The therapists in your area that participate with your insurance carrier may not specialize in your particular need. The decision you face then is do you choose a therapist who takes your insurance and is near you, or the therapist who routinely handles your specific need.
You may still have to pay your deductible:
Even when using your insurance, depending on your plan, you still may have to pay a deductible (rolls over every calendar year), which may be $500, $1000 or more, before your copay will kick in.
If you have an employer that has established a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flex Savings Account (FSA)this a great alternative to using insurance and will keep your information private at the same time, as well as avoiding common insurance hassles. A Health Savings Account can save you up to 35%.