Initial phone consultation
I offer a free 15 minute consultation to discuss your reasons for seeking therapy and to determine whether I have the resources to meet your needs.
Meeting Format
The first few sessions will focus on getting to know you, gathering information about your current problems and concerns, and discussing goals for therapy. By the end of the evaluation, we will develop a specialized treatment plan that addresses your goals for therapy. This will also be a time for us to decide whether we are a good match and if we should move forward in our work together. Learn more about my approach to therapy here.
Video Appointments
In some instances, it may be clinically indicated to provide services via a video service. I am only able to provide this service for clients in the state of California or Florida. I utilize a HIPAA compliant video service which ensures that your privacy is protected. Note that license restrictions require that clients receiving video services must be located within the state of California or Florida.
Psychotherapy Fees
$375 for a 50 minute session. I have a limited number of sliding scale slots. Fees for assessment and psychotherapy sessions vary based upon the type and length of appointment.
Payments and Cancellation Policies
Currently, I accept check and credit cards for payment. Due to the very limited nature of appointments, you will be charged the full fee for sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours notice.
Insurance
Due to the small size of my practice, I do not accept any insurance plans. I am an "out-of-network" provider which means that your insurance company may reimburse you directly for some portion of the fees you have paid to me. I am happy to give you a monthly invoice that you can submit to your insurance carrier for reimbursement and whatever assistance I can in helping you receive benefits to which you are entitled; however, you are responsible for full payment of fees. If you intend on using your insurance for reimbursement, please consult with your insurance carrier prior to starting services to ask about "out-of-network" benefits.
Getting Your Insurance Company to Pay for OCD Treatment
How to Access and Understand Your Mental Health Benefits
Medicare Policies
I have opted out of Medicare under §§1128, 1156 or 1892 of the Social Security Act. If you are eligible for Medicare, but choose to work with me, then you will have to complete the Opt Out Private Contract. Signing this contract indicates an understanding that you (or your legal guardian or representative) will be solely responsible for all costs of treatment. Seeking services from a provider who has not opted out of Medicare may lead to less costs incurred.
No Surprise Act
YOUR RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST SURPRISE
MEDICAL BILLS
(OMB Control Number: 0938-1401)
When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing.
What is “balance billing” (sometimes called “surprise billing”)?
When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, such as a copayment, coinsurance, and/or a deductible. You may have other costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network.
“Out-of-network” describes providers and facilities that haven’t signed a contract with your health plan. Out-of-network providers may be permitted to bill you for the difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount charged for a service. This is called “balance billing.” This amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service and might not count toward your annual out-of-pocket limit.
“Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care – like when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in-network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider.
You are protected from balance billing for:
Emergency services
If you have an emergency medical condition and get emergency services from an out-of-network provider or facility, the most the provider or facility may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount (such as copayments and coinsurance). You can’t be balance billed for these emergency services. This includes services you may get after you’re in stable condition, unless you give written consent and give up your protections not to be balanced billed for these post-stabilization services.
Certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center
When you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most those providers may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitalist, or intensivist services. These providers can’t balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections not to be balance billed.
If you get other services at these in-network facilities, out-of-network providers can’t balance bill you unless you give written consent and give up your protections.
You’re never required to give up your protection from balance billing. You also aren’t required to get care out-of-network. You can choose a provider or facility in your plan’s network.
When balance billing isn’t allowed, you also have the following protections:
You are only responsible for paying your share of the cost (like the copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that you would pay if the provider or facility was in-network). Your health plan will pay out-of-network providers and facilities directly.
Your health plan generally must:
Cover emergency services without requiring you to get approval for services in advance (prior authorization).
Cover emergency services by out-of-network providers.
Base what you owe the provider or facility (cost-sharing) on what it would pay an in-network provider or facility and show that amount in your explanation of benefits.
Count any amount you pay for emergency services or out-of-network services toward your deductible and out-of-pocket limit.
If you believe you’ve been wrongly billed, you may contact: The California Department of Insurance.
See Model Disclosure Notice Regarding Patient Protections Against Surprise Billing Instructions for Providers and Facilities for more information about your rights under Federal law.
