My hourly fee is $125. In addition to weekly appointments, I charge this amount for other professional services you may need, though I will break down the hourly cost if I work for periods of less than one hour. Other services include report writing, telephone conversations lasting longer than 15 minutes, attendance at meetings with other professionals you have authorized, preparation of records or treatment summaries, attendance at your events (partial time is billed), and the time spent performing any other service you may request of me. If you become involved in legal proceedings that requires my participation, you will be expected to pay for my professional time even if I am called to testify by another party. Because of the difficulty of legal involvement, I charge $175 per hour for preparation and attendance at any legal proceeding.
SESSIONS
I normally conduct an initial evaluation that will last 90 minutes and it cost $165. During this time, we can both decide if I am the best person to provide the services you need in order to meet your treatment goals. The goal of this session is also to complete a Development Achievement Performance Plan (DAPP). Once counseling has begun, I will usually schedule one 50-minute session per week at a time we agree on, although some sessions may be longer or more frequent. Once an appointment hour is scheduled, you will be expected to cover the cost for it unless you provide 24 hours advance notice of cancellation. If it is possible, I will try to find another time to reschedule the appointment. It is possible to schedule you twice a week depending on your need to do so.
BILLING AND PAYMENTS
You will be expected to pay for each session at the time it is held, unless we arrange an alternative agreement. Payment schedules for other professional services will be agreed to when they are requested. In circumstances of unusual financial hardship, I may be willing to negotiate a fee adjustment.
If your account has not been paid for more than 60 days and arrangements for payment have not been agreed upon, I have the option of using legal means to secure the payment. This may involve hiring a collection agency or going through small claims court. [If such legal action is necessary, its costs will be included in the claim.] In most collection situations, the only information I release regarding a patient’s treatment is his/her name, the nature of services provided, and the amount due.
INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT
In order for us to set realistic treatment goals and priorities, it is important to evaluate what resources you have available to pay for your treatment. If you have a health insurance policy, it will usually provide some coverage for mental health treatment. I will fill out forms and provide you with whatever assistance I can in helping you receive the benefits to which you are entitled; however, you (not your insurance company) are responsible for full payment of my fees. It is very important that you find out exactly what mental health services your insurance policy covers.
You should carefully read the section in your insurance coverage booklet that describes mental health services. If you have questions about the coverage, call your plan administrator. Of course I will provide you with whatever information I can based on my experience and will be happy to help you in understanding the information you receive from your insurance company. If it is necessary to clear confusion, I will be willing to call the company on your behalf.
Fees, Sessions, etc