The description of therapy services and associated fees can vary based on the type of therapy, the qualifications of the therapist, the location, and the specific services offered. Here is a general overview:
1. Types of Therapy Services:
- Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions between a client and a therapist to address personal concerns, mental health issues, or personal growth.
- Couples Therapy: Sessions involving a therapist working with a couple to address relationship challenges, improve communication, and enhance overall relationship satisfaction.
- Family Therapy: Involves a therapist working with members of a family to address communication issues, conflicts, and improve family dynamics.
- Group Therapy: Therapy sessions with a small group of individuals led by a therapist, providing a supportive environment for shared experiences and mutual support.
2. Therapist Qualifications:
- Licensed Therapists: Professionals with advanced degrees (such as a Master's or Ph.D.) who have completed the necessary licensing requirements in their respective fields.
- Counselors or Therapists: Professionals with various degrees or certifications who may provide therapy services under different titles. Their qualifications can vary.
3. Therapy Fees:
- Hourly Rates: Many therapists charge on a clinical hour (50-minute, 75-minute or 90-minute) basis.
- Sliding Scale: Some therapists offer a sliding scale based on the client's ability to pay. This can make therapy more accessible to individuals with varying financial situations.
- Insurance Coverage: Some therapists may provide you with a super bill, which you may submit to your insurance company for partial reimbursement for therapy fees. It's important to check with both the therapist and the insurance provider to understand coverage details.
4. Additional Fees:
- Cancellation Fees: You will be charged a fee for missed or canceled sessions, typically if not canceled within a certain timeframe.
- Assessment or Evaluation Fees: In some cases, therapists may charge additional fees for assessments or evaluations, especially for specific types of therapy.
5. Payment Methods:
- Cash, Check, or Credit Card: Therapists typically accept various forms of payment. Some may offer online payment options or accept credit cards for convenience.
It's crucial for individuals seeking therapy to discuss fees and payment options with the therapist. Clear communication about fees, cancellation policies, and payment methods helps ensure a transparent and mutually agreed-upon financial arrangement between the client and the therapist.
Should I Use Insurance?
Some people choose to pay for therapy themselves because doing so provides additional privacy or flexibility. When you agree to use your health insurance coverage to pay for a portion of your mental health treatment, you consent to communication of your Protected Health Information to your health insurer. These details include a mental health diagnosis and dates of sessions with your therapist. Your health insurer may also request additional documentation from your provider to include more detailed notes summarizing your session-by-session progress in treatment.
Your therapist must assign you a mental health diagnosis for you to use your health insurance coverage to pay for a portion of your mental health treatment. In doing so, your insurer will have information about your mental health treatment history. This information may then be added to your Medical Information Bureau (MIB) record. Your MIB profile may be used by various life/health insurance companies to determine your risk or eligibility when you apply to purchase a life, health, disability, or long-term care insurance policy. Your mental health history as shared by your health insurer with the MIB may increase your cost to purchase one of the above policies or simply render you ineligible to purchase such a policy because of a pre-existing mental health condition. In addition, health insurers do not typically cover all types of therapy. For example, couples therapy is rarely covered by health insurers. And, more experienced therapists and/or those offering a specialty service may not be contracted with your health insurance company.
Health insurance can make therapy available to those who otherwise could not afford such treatment. If you have health insurance through your employer or purchase it yourself, you may want to take advantage of those benefits. If so, call the customer service number on the back of your health insurance card to confirm your mental health (sometimes termed “behavioral health”) benefits. Asking about co-pays, deductibles, and if your health insurance plan uses provider networks can help you understand your share of the cost of therapy.
Therapy is an Investment in Your Well-Being
Good Faith Estimate
Effective January 1, 2022, the “No Surprises Act” requires mental health practitioners to provide a “Good Faith Estimate” about out-of-network care to any patient who is uninsured or who is insured but does not plan to use insurance benefits to pay for health care or services.
The Good Faith Estimate informs you of the cost of services that are reasonable for your mental health care needs. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created and does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment.
You are entitled to receive this Good Faith Estimate for the potential cost of psychotherapy services. While it is not possible for a psychotherapist to know in advance how many psychotherapy sessions may be necessary or appropriate for a given person upon the initiation of therapy, this form provides an estimate of the cost of services. Your total cost of services will depend upon the number of psychotherapy sessions you attend, your individual circumstances, and the type and amount of services that are provided to you. This estimate is not a contract and does not obligate you to obtain any services from the provider listed, nor does it include any services rendered to you that are not identified here.
The Good Faith Estimate is not intended to serve as a recommendation for treatment or a prediction that you may need to attend a specified number of psychotherapy visits. The number of visits that are appropriate in your case, and the estimated cost for those services, depend on your needs and what you agree to in consultation with your therapist. You are entitled to disagree with any recommendations made to you concerning your treatment and you may discontinue treatment at any time.
Most clients will attend one psychotherapy visit per week, but the frequency of psychotherapy visits that are appropriate in your case may be more or less than once per week, depending upon your needs, availability, and preference. It is also important when determining your total estimate to take into consideration vacations, holidays, emergencies, and sick time.
You may project any potential future cost by multiplying the session fee by the total number of sessions. This will result in your total estimated cost for mental health services. If you attend therapy for a longer period, your total estimated charges will increase according to the number of visits and length of treatment.
Every client’s therapy journey is unique. The length of time you will engage in therapy and how often you attend sessions will be influenced by many factors, including:
- Your schedule and life circumstances
- Therapist availability
- Ongoing life challenges
- The nature of your specific challenges and how you address them
- Personal finances
Together, you and your therapist will continually assess the appropriate frequency of sessions, your goals and progress, and your treatment plan. You may also request a new Good Faith Estimate at any time during your treatment.
This Good Faith Estimate indicates the potential cost of services that are reasonably expected for your health care needs. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created. During your work, additional services that are not reflected in this Good Faith Estimate may be recommended. Other potential items and/or services associated with therapy charges may include but are not limited to, “no show” or late cancellation fees, record request(s), letter writing(s), legal fees/court attendance(s), professional collaboration, and in-between session supports, other than scheduling issues. These potential services and associated fees are discussed further within the Informed Consent document.
You have a right to initiate a dispute resolution process if the actual amount charged to you substantially exceeds the estimated charges stated in your Good Faith Estimate (which is considered $400 or more beyond the estimated charges). Please communicate with your therapist at any time about any questions you may have regarding your treatment plan or the information provided to you in the Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information related to the Good Faith Estimate, please talk with your therapist or visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800.985.3059.
