Insurance and Fees: The "hows" and "whys" of finances in therapy

Have you ever wondered why some therapists take insurance and some don't? Or why therapy costs so much? Or why some take credit and others don't? These are important questions! Our economy has been tight recently, and understanding the economics of therapy might help you feel more comfortable taking that first step in contacting a therapist. My goal is to help you feel safe and as comfortable as possible. Part of being able to do that is discussing the financial aspect of therapy. Please feel free to contact me and ask any questions you have! 

Please be aware that I do NOT accept insurance at this time. My reasons are explained below. I DO use a sliding scale fee, based on income. In regard to payment, I accept cash and checks only.

Why don't you accept insurance?

Accepting insurance has advantages and disadvantages, for both of us. My reasons for not accepting insurance at this time boil down to privacy and quality of service. Accepting insurance means providing a diagnosis to the insurance company. There is a trade-off for you there: You will get services at a lower fee, but you give up a little of your private medical information in doing so. While many people are ok with that, when it comes to mental health, some people are not.

​My other reason centers around providing the best quality of service possible. Many insurance companies, in exchange for paying part of the cost, limit the number of sessions, the length of sessions, or the type of services I can provide. I strongly believe that everyone is unique, and want to have the freedom to set up the best treatment plan possible for your needs, without worrying about whether or not we'll need to terminate services due to arbitrary limits on sessions. It doesn't seem fair to you, and it doesn't fit with my values of providing the best care possible.

If you want to use insurance, I can provide you with a document called a "superbill" which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement, if you wish. It will have a diagnosis on it, however, because insurance companies require diagnoses in order to provide payment.  

How can I afford therapy?
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Therapy can be expensive - there's no doubt about that. Fees range anywhere from $40 to over $150 for a 50-minute session, and if you are wanting help, that's a lot of money. Financially, I try to work with people if possible, and that's why I use a sliding-scale fee as well as work with people referred from pro-bono and low-cost agencies, like Mental Health Connections. 

My sliding scale fees range from $60 to $120, depending on your income. In order to use the sliding scale, I ask my clients to bring some proof of income, such as a pay stub or their most recent tax return, as do most agencies offering low-cost or pro--bono services. My fees are based on the income of the household for the person paying for services, and I try to be as accommodating as possible.I encourage my clients and other people who contact me to explore options such as Connections, where fees range from $8 to $48 per session, as well.

I believe that therapy should be accessible and available to anyone who needs or wants it. This is why I participate in Connections' pro-bono referral program and why I use the sliding scale. It's important to be able to get help!

How do I pay for therapy?

At this time, I do not accept credit or debit cards. I know that is slightly less convenient, but I promise there's a good explanation. Every time you use a card for payment, there is a fee charged to the merchant, whether it's a store or your doctor. Most merchants are able to incorporate this fee into their prices, and you never have to notice or think about it. 

I make a very concerted effort to keep my fees reasonable and affordable. In keeping my fees lower, I have to make trade-offs that include excluding forms of payment in which I must pay extra. In the future, I might explore the possibility of raising my fees slightly to accommodate the extra charges, but at this point in time, I want to keep my fees as low as possible. 

So, at this time, I only accept cash and checks. I will be happy to provide you with a receipt if you wish. If you forget cash or your checkbook, there are ATMs conveniently located near my office, including First National Bank, Wells Fargo, and a generic ATM in the nearby coffee shop.