Question 1

Where is your practice located?

Accepted Answer

I am licensed to practice psychotherapy in Massachusetts and Florida .  My practice is mostly over Telehealth.  I use a HIPAA secure platform to meet with individuals and groups.  I can meet in an office space in Coconut Grove as needed or around the South Miami area.

Question 2

What is your fee structure?

Accepted Answer

For individuals:

I accept BCBS and Evernorth for Massachusetts clients.

Please contact me for my current out of pocket individual therapy fees.  I can provide superbills for people who have out of network insurance benefits (PPO or POS plans).  I accept FSA payments.

Case management, care coordination, and advocacy work is billed at the same rate as therapy.

For businesses and organizations:

My hourly rate includes assessments, written or oral reports, leadership consultation, referrals, and any other follow-up care.

Adoption agencies requiring clients to have an assessment for substance use disorders - I charge the client a one-time fee for the assessment and letter.  I might be able to bill insurance or give a superbill for insurance reimbursement for part of that fee in some cases.

Question 3

How do I use out of network insurance benefits to pay for psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Some insurance plans have out of network benefits.  If you have this benefit, it means that if you see an independent healthcare provider like me, your insurance company will reimburse you for part of my fee.

You can determine if you have out of network benefits by calling your insurance company.  Also, your insurance card might say something like “PPO” or “POS” on it.

If you want to use your out of network benefit to pay for psychotherapy, here's how:

-       I bill you directly for our sessions.  The fee is due at the time of service.  I will keep your credit card or FSA card on file.

-       Once a month I give you a detailed invoice called a superbill.  You then submit the superbill to your insurance company.  Submit this electronically so that the insurance company doesn't lose it.

-       If you have a deductible, the insurance company won't begin reimbursing you until you pay that down.

-       Once you met the deductible, then insurance will begin reimbursing you.  Once you send in the superbills, then insurance might take 6-8 weeks to send you a check or directly deposit the money.

-       Your insurance company will reimburse you usually up to 80% of the cost of what they think the session should cost.  What they think the session should cost is called the "market adjustment" and is lower than my rate, usually by about $40-$70.  They will reimburse up to 80% of this lower rate.  Some plans reimburse at a lower percentage.

-       Ultimately, final bill is the remaining uncovered percentage plus the difference between my actual rate and what the insurance company thinks my rate should be.

Questions for your insurance company before you begin psychotherapy:
- Do I have out of network benefits?
- What is my deductible and how close am I to meeting it for the year?
- What is the reimbursement rate?
- What is the market adjustment (what do they determine my session rate should be)
- How do I submit superbills?
- Who do I contact if I have an issue being reimbursed?

Question 4

How do you keep my sensitive information secure?

Accepted Answer

I use an online practice management program.  This program is HIPAA compliant and used widely by mental health providers.  It stores my clinical notes, your intake paperwork and therapy contract, as well as your billing and demographic information.  It provides the video platform for our meetings, as well as reminder texts and emails.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Where is your practice located?

What is your fee structure?

How do I use out of network insurance benefits to pay for psychotherapy?

How do you keep my sensitive information secure?