Here’s the general info:
I am currently in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Regence, Premera, HMA, Lifewise, Aetna, Kaiser, and Tri-Care. Before you book an appointment I highly encourage you to call the number on the back of your insurance cared and figure out how much you will have to pay out of pocket for sessions.
I work in an office wing with three other independent counselors (there is a tutoring business in the main building). I contract with a biller who determines your insurance benefits on the first visit. However, we aren’t allowed to know how much is paid toward your deductible, so you could be paying anywhere from zero to full fee for your visits. We just don’t know until we get the explanation of benefits (EOB) back from the insurance company. In our sessions, I bring up payments in our first session, or before, because I don’t have an office manager or receptionist to take payments.
What is a deductible?
The biggest question I get is “what is a deductible?” A deductible is what you have to pay out of pocket before insurance starts sharing the bill. Deductibles from counseling range from zero to thousands. Bottom line, insurance is complicated. I’m a in network provider for several insurance providers. You get the same co-payment (a fixed rate, like $30 a session) or co-insurance (a percentage, like 30%) that you would with any other in-network provider.
How do payments work?
When you sign up for counseling, you put a card on file. I charge your card on file once I know what the charges are. If you know what your visit will cost you are welcome to pay the day of your visit.
A plan is better then no plan.
I encourage you to call the number on the back of your insurance card to find out what your benefits are. Knowing your benefits saves us surprises down the road. Even then, I’ve had folks come in and they pay less than the insurance people told them. Go figure. Bottom line, we are working together to get better and payments and insurance are part of the equation for better or worse!