Frequently Asked Questions
Will my insurance cover appointments?
Almost all insurance will include coverage for mental health benefits. There are some insurances that I am either unable to bill or are not contracted with (such as but not limited to Medicare, Tricare, and Straight Medicaid). Co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance benefits will affect what you may be responsible to pay out of pocket. Typically seeing someone who is in-network with your insurance is the most cost-effective treatment for any type of service.
Almost all insurance will include coverage for mental health benefits. There are some insurances that I am either unable to bill or are not contracted with (such as but not limited to Medicare, Tricare, and Straight Medicaid). Co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance benefits will affect what you may be responsible to pay out of pocket. Typically seeing someone who is in-network with your insurance is the most cost-effective treatment for any type of service.
When in doubt, simply call the customer service number on your insurance card and they can explain your benefits in more detail. Insurances will not pay for marriage or couples counseling as there is no code for that service to even try to bill them for. Services can be covered with family or individual psychotherapy depending on the exact situation.
Why don’t you take my insurance?
It is a lengthy process to contract with health insurances. Some insurance companies have specific requirements or expectations that I am not able to meet. For example, Medicare will only reimburse for sessions with a PhD, LLP, or LMSW (I have an LMFT and LPC). Some health insurance list in their contracts that I must provide specific business hours such as nights and weekends which have prevented me from contracting with them. Becoming in-network with any insurance ultimately means that a therapist is agreeing to be paid the amount that they deem appropriate and is typically less than what is charged. If an insurance policy’s reimbursement is too low I am unable to contract with them.
It is a lengthy process to contract with health insurances. Some insurance companies have specific requirements or expectations that I am not able to meet. For example, Medicare will only reimburse for sessions with a PhD, LLP, or LMSW (I have an LMFT and LPC). Some health insurance list in their contracts that I must provide specific business hours such as nights and weekends which have prevented me from contracting with them. Becoming in-network with any insurance ultimately means that a therapist is agreeing to be paid the amount that they deem appropriate and is typically less than what is charged. If an insurance policy’s reimbursement is too low I am unable to contract with them.
I may be able to bill your insurance as an out of network provider or a specific bill can be provided to you for you to mail to your insurance for reimbursement. However, your insurance is not likely to reimburse you the full fee.
Do you offer telehealth and does insurance cover it?
Yes, telehealth is available if that is what you may prefer or works best for you. I utilize a HIPAA compliant platform that is very easy to use on either a computer or smart phone. Since 2020, most health insurance policies include benefits that will allow for counseling via telehealth. Your out-of-pocket responsibility may be different for in person services versus telehealth. It is possible at some point in the future that insurance may return to requiring more services in person again.
Yes, telehealth is available if that is what you may prefer or works best for you. I utilize a HIPAA compliant platform that is very easy to use on either a computer or smart phone. Since 2020, most health insurance policies include benefits that will allow for counseling via telehealth. Your out-of-pocket responsibility may be different for in person services versus telehealth. It is possible at some point in the future that insurance may return to requiring more services in person again.
Will telehealth work if my spouse and I are in different places?
Yes, the platform that I use for telehealth services is capable of hosting multiple people in different locations in real-time.
Yes, the platform that I use for telehealth services is capable of hosting multiple people in different locations in real-time.
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
No, formal referrals are not required by insurance or by this agency to schedule.
No, formal referrals are not required by insurance or by this agency to schedule.
If I have a co-pay and have a family appointment, do we pay that per person?
You will only pay the co-pay once as the service is only billed once.
You will only pay the co-pay once as the service is only billed once.
How soon can I expect a response to a voicemail I’ve left or an email?
I try to limit my responses to business hours unless I’ve received a call from a current client identifying themselves as being in crisis. Since I do not have a receptionist, I cannot return calls or emails when I am in session. However, I do my best to respond with 48 business hours, and in the order that they were received. Somedays I receive an abnormally high number of requests which can cause longer wait times. As long as you’ve left clear contact information, I will always return calls and emails.
I try to limit my responses to business hours unless I’ve received a call from a current client identifying themselves as being in crisis. Since I do not have a receptionist, I cannot return calls or emails when I am in session. However, I do my best to respond with 48 business hours, and in the order that they were received. Somedays I receive an abnormally high number of requests which can cause longer wait times. As long as you’ve left clear contact information, I will always return calls and emails.
How does the payment plan work?
You would be asked to keep a valid credit or debit card on file and we would reach an agreement of how much you would pay each week or every-other week. After signing the agreement, the card would be charged the amount on the designated days until the balance was paid off in full. If the balance gets too high, I may request to adjust the plan. Failure to make payments or keep appointments can void the payment plan. This is not a fee-scale. The full fee does apply; you are simply spreading out the payments.
You would be asked to keep a valid credit or debit card on file and we would reach an agreement of how much you would pay each week or every-other week. After signing the agreement, the card would be charged the amount on the designated days until the balance was paid off in full. If the balance gets too high, I may request to adjust the plan. Failure to make payments or keep appointments can void the payment plan. This is not a fee-scale. The full fee does apply; you are simply spreading out the payments.
Who has access to my information?
The only person who is able to see your record is myself, and you if you should wish. Your contact and clinical information are confidential and protected by HIPAA. I will require a signed release of information in order to share your records or discuss your case with anyone other than you or a parent/legal guardian in the instances of a minor. I do not outsource billing, and I have no employees. Thus, no one else would be able to see your information.
The only person who is able to see your record is myself, and you if you should wish. Your contact and clinical information are confidential and protected by HIPAA. I will require a signed release of information in order to share your records or discuss your case with anyone other than you or a parent/legal guardian in the instances of a minor. I do not outsource billing, and I have no employees. Thus, no one else would be able to see your information.
There are a few exceptions where a release is not required. If I were subpoenaed by a judge to release records, then I would be legally obligated to do so. If I believed you were a danger to yourself, others, or I believed others were a danger to you, I may be obligated to report that in order to ensure safety. I am a legally mandated reporter and am required to report all instances of suspected child abuse, neglect, or the abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of a senior or disabled adult. If you have insurance and it is billed for your services, then some of your information has to be sent to the insurance for reimbursement. In rare instances, insurances can elect to audit contracted providers and may request clinical notes (progress notes, intake assessments, treatment plans) but are not entitled to psychotherapy notes.
Do you prescribe medications?
No, I am not a medical professional capable of prescribing. When necessary, I have consulted with doctors to inform them of accurate diagnosis so the medical provider could then prescribe for the appropriate symptoms.
No, I am not a medical professional capable of prescribing. When necessary, I have consulted with doctors to inform them of accurate diagnosis so the medical provider could then prescribe for the appropriate symptoms.
What is the difference between counseling, therapy, and psychotherapy?
In short- nothing. They all mean the same thing. With Michigan Law, only Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC’s- the letters after a person’s name) can say that they provide “counseling.” That leaves Social Workers (LMSW), Psychologists (LLP or PhD), and Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) to use the phrase “therapy.”
In short- nothing. They all mean the same thing. With Michigan Law, only Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC’s- the letters after a person’s name) can say that they provide “counseling.” That leaves Social Workers (LMSW), Psychologists (LLP or PhD), and Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) to use the phrase “therapy.”
The term “psychotherapy” has more to do with billing insurance. The American Medical Association uses the phrase counseling and therapy in many more situations than those in the mental health field. Someone could receive speech therapy, occupational therapy, nutritional counseling, or physical therapy to name a few. When billing insurance, the wording used is “psychotherapy.”
Do you provide faith-based counseling?
No, I do not incorporate religion into services that I provide. Although clients are always free to express their religious beliefs, I do not provide religious counsel.
No, I do not incorporate religion into services that I provide. Although clients are always free to express their religious beliefs, I do not provide religious counsel.