FAQ
1. WHAT ARE YOUR FEES? DO YOU OFFER REDUCED FEES OR A SLIDING SCALE?
I believe counseling should be accessible to as many people as possible, no matter their financial circumstances. As such, I offer an equitable pricing model that takes into account your financial situation in determining the fee range.
My STANDARD Market Rate: $250-300 (50 minutes). This is common for most out-of-network psychologists in the DC metro area. I ask that you consider paying this rate if you have the financial means to do so.
My ABOVE Market Rate: $300-350 (50 minutes). For those with greater financial means, you have the option of funding those who have less financial means, so they can access therapy.
My REDUCED Rate: $50-250 (50 minutes). This is the below market rate for those with limited financial means. An application form can be completed to determine what the rate will be in that range, based on your specific financial situation.
Please contact me if you have any questions, would like to contribute funding to those with limited financial means, or would like to apply for a reduced fee. If your financial circumstances change over the course of our work together, please let me know so we can adjust the fee to match your financial situation.
2. ARE YOU CONSIDERED AN IN-NETWORK OR OUT-OF-NETWORK PROVIDER?
I am considered an out-of-network provider for all insurance plans. So long as you have out-of-network coverage (which most PPO plans do), insurance will reimburse for a portion of the fee. Although I am out-of-network, I offer to file claims on clients’ behalf on a monthly basis if they prefer.
Since every plan is different, I encourage you to contact your insurance provider directly to learn more about your specific mental health benefits and coverage, so as to minimize any surprises down the road.
3. HOW DOES PAYMENT WORK?
Standard practice is that the full fee is due at the time of the session. Payments are accepted in cash, check, or credit, whichever is your preference. I offer to submit claims to insurance on clients' behalf on a monthly basis, and insurance will provide reimbursement directly to you. Most other practices just provide a monthly receipt, and you are responsible for filing all of the paperwork.
After reimbursement from insurance, clients' portion for each session tends to be around $40-100. If it is financially difficult to pay the full fee upfront and wait for reimbursement, I do offer flexibility in the payment schedule depending on the need, so please feel free to ask.
4. INSURANCE JARGON IS CONFUSING TO ME. CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE TERMS?
Here are definitions of common terms you are likely to find in your policy:
Deductible
The amount you pay for health care services before your insurance begins to pay. For example, if your deductible is $1,500, you would pay 100 percent of your health care charges until the amount you paid reaches $1,500. After you reach your deductible, insurance kicks in and reimburses at whatever rate is set within your plan.
Co-Insurance
Your share of the costs of a health care service. It’s usually figured as a percentage of the total charge for the service. Say you’ve already or met your $1,500 deductible and your coinsurance is 20 percent. For a $200 health care bill, you would pay $40 and your insurance company would pay $160.
Co-Payment
A fixed amount you pay for a health care service, usually when you receive the service (e.g. $50). Typically, your insurance plan will have either a co-insurance or co-payment, but not both.
“Usual and Customary Rate”
The going rate for a medical service in a geographic area based on what providers in the area usually charge for the same or similar medical service. My fees are considered “usual and customary” for the DC area.
In-Network
A provider who is contracted with a specific insurance to be a preferred provider in their network.
Out-of-Network
A provider who is NOT contracted with insurance and is not a preferred provider within the network.
Out of Pocket Maximum
The most you pay during a policy period (usually one year) before your health insurance or plan pays 100% for covered essential health care services. This limit must include deductibles, coinsurance and/or copayments. If your out-of-pocket maximum is $3,000, insurance will pay 100% of covered services after you’ve paid $3,000 for the benefit year.
5. HOW DO I CHECK WHAT MY INSURANCE WILL COVER?
You can call the Patient/Customer Services number located on the back of your insurance card to learn about your mental health benefits and coverage before scheduling an appointment. Some questions to ask include:
Does my plan cover mental health visits in person or over telehealth?
Do I need preauthorization before seeking mental health services?
Do I have out-of-network coverage?
Do I have a deductible that must be met before reimbursement is provided? If so, how much is it, how much have I already met, and when does it renew?
After the deductible is met, what is my co-insurance rate for each session?
For individual counseling: what is the reimbursement rate and the allowed amount for procedure codes “90834” and “90837”?
For couples/family counseling: what is the reimbursement rate and the allowed amount for procedure codes “90847”?
6. WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO USE INSURANCE OR DON’T HAVE INSURANCE?
Some clients may have insurance but choose not to use it (i.e., seek reimbursement) for a variety of reasons, including a desire to protect their privacy. If this is the case, or if you do not have insurance, please let me know. You are entitled to receive a good faith estimate of what the cost of care will be.