Insurance and Fees
Accepted Insurance
Check your insurance via Alma my billing portal
https://secure.helloalma.com/check-my-insurance-coverage/
I accept United Health Care/Optum/UMR/Oscar, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma, and HealthChoice. This page will tell you what you need to know about your insurance. It's best to be familiar with your own plan, even if Alma my billing company gives you an estimate I would still call your insurance so no surprise costs, as Alma has made mistakes.
Insurance info
My billing is managed through Alma and Headway (minus Blue Cross Blue Shield Oklahoma; I have to bill on my own). To use your insurance for therapy, you must have a mental health diagnosis as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5). We can discuss the list of billable psychological diagnoses during our first session. If your condition doesn't meet these criteria, private payment is an alternative.
Regarding common misconceptions about insurance:
Most insurance companies do not restrict the number of therapy sessions. If you've been prescribed medication for mental health issues, you likely already have a diagnosis code on your record – please inform me about this.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, including mental health conditions like depression.
However, insurance may influence the duration of our sessions. While this can affect how I structure therapy, it doesn’t change my therapeutic approach. I tailor our goals to align with insurance constraints, ensuring effective therapy within their guidelines.
Cost with insurance
The cost of your therapy sessions varies based on your insurance plan. If you have to meet your deductible (most clients, though, just have a copay), you'll be billed at the rate Alma has negotiated with your insurer. Generally, the first session is approximately $200, and follow-up sessions are around $150, though these are estimates and may vary. Alma will email you the exact rate for your plan. If you're unsure about your fee before the first session, please let me know.
After meeting your deductible, your payment will usually be a copay or coinsurance, typically ranging from $20 to $60 for mental health services.
It's important to remember that some insurance plans require only a copay for mental health services even before you've met your deductible---so that's good news!!
Call to know your benefits - What to ask your insurance:
To find out about your mental health coverage with your insurance, you should start by contacting them. Here are the key questions to ask:
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Do I need to meet my deductible before my benefits, like copay, apply to behavioral health services?
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What is the amount of my deductible?
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What is my copay for outpatient online therapy?
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If you're considering couples therapy, confirm whether your plan covers family therapy.
Private Pay
Per hour rate: $100
Choosing a counselor can be difficult, especially when considering the cost. That's why I intentionally keep my private pay fees more affordable. This is not a reflection of my experience but rather a conscious decision to make my services accessible to more people.