Accepted Insurance

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Check your insurance (but please also call to confirm) via Alma my billing portal

https://secure.helloalma.com/check-my-insurance-coverage/

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I accept United Health Care/Optum/UMR/Oscar, Aetna, Cigna 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.

 

BCBS: Blue Cross Blue Shield

Unfortunately, Alma does not currently bill BCBS. Although you may see me listed on the BCBS provider portal due to my previous individual affiliation, I now exclusively bill through Alma. At this time, I'm not accepting new BCBS patients.  I still have BCBS clients and  so I  need to keep my account active, but I am gradually transitioning away  from this, until Alma is able to negotiate with Blue Cross.

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Insurance info

My billing management company is done through Alma  

In order to use your insurance, you have to meet a mental diagnosis  (deemed medically necessary), which is described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5)  If you're curious about the list of psychological billable diagnoses.  We can discuss this in our first session. If you do not meet the criteria then private pay is an option. 

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I've heard some misinformation about insurance, listed below addresses the 2 main ones

Most insurance companies do NOT limit the number of sessions and if you have received medication from a doctor for mental health, then you have a diagnosis code on your file (just let me know). The Affordable Care Act (ACA) made it illegal for insurance companies to refuse coverage for a pre-existing condition like depression, along with many other kinds of pre-existing conditions. 

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BUT THEY LIMIT OUR TIME IN SESSION TOGETHER. To some extent, they do limit how I do therapy but I do adjust our goals but not my method to accommodate insurance. 

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Cost with insurance

The cost of your therapy sessions will depend on your insurance plan. If you still need to meet your deductible, you will be charged the contracted rate that Alma has with your insurance company. The average cost of the first session is $200 (estimated guess!), and subsequent sessions can cost around $150 (may be more or less, estimated guess). You will receive an email from Alma with the specific rate for your plan. If you don't know your fee before the first session, please let me know. Once you meet your deductible, you will typically have a copay or coinsurance. On average, copays for mental health services range from $20-$60. However, it's important to note that some insurance plans have a copay for mental health services even if you have not met your deductible.

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​​Call to know your benefits -What to ask your insurance:

To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Ask (1) Do I have to meet my deductible before my benefits (your copay) goes into effect for behavioral health? (2) What is your deductible? (3) What is your co-pay for outpatient therapy online?  (3) Confirm that your plan covers family therapy if seeking couples therapy. 

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Private Pay

1.5 hours couple sessions: $115

Individual 60 minutes: $95

I acknowledge my private pay fees are more affordable than majority of other counselors, as this is intentional and is not a reflection on my experience.