I am not contracted with any insurance companies, and therefor am considered "out of network." To be clear, you will pay me at the time of service, and then submit to your insurance company for your reimbursement. Typically, you will need to submit the receipt of payment from me, and a reimbursement form from your insurance company, usually found on their website.

Out-of-network benefits cover psychotherapy (or any medical service) with the professional you choose. Most plans require the patient to pay a deductible, and then reimburse a certain percentage of the fee after that, typically 75 or 80%. Some plans limit the number of sessions or the dollar amount that are reimbursable each year. The psychotherapy is not managed, and authorization is usually not required.

A call to your insurance company can help you determine the mental health coverage provided by your plan. Call your insurance company and tell them you would like to go out of network for behavioral health.

• Ask them what is your current yearly deductible?
• Ask them how much of this deductible has currently been met?
• Ask them what the reimbursement rate for out of network professionals is, (once your deductible has been met).
• Ask them how to submit reimbursement?
• Ask them if there are any limitations of amount of sessions or amount payed out?

Info you may need:

• The ICD Code is 90837 (for 50 min Individual Psychotherapy apt.)
• My fee for a 50 min individual psychotherapy session is $185

Although obtaining psychotherapy on an out-of-network basis may seem more expensive, there are many benefits. Insurance companies require regular treatment plans to be submitted by their network providers in order to continue to authorize sessions. There can be a lack of clarity and/or after-the-fact decisions about what they will cover, resulting in surprise balances billed to patients. Finally, insurance companies can and do audit in-network psychotherapists' records, further compromising confidentiality.

Obtaining psychotherapy on an out-of-network basis avoids all of these issues that compromise confidentiality and autonomy of treatment. All treatment decisions are made solely between patient and therapist, including the type of therapy used, its length, and who should or should not be consulted. My practice does not involve any third parties in billing or paperwork in order to insure accuracy and confidentiality.