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FAQ

DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?

Summary of the insurance plans we work with:

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO

    • Blue Choice plans 

    • Blue Cross Community Medicaid 

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield ACA, or "Obamacare" pans 

  • Cigna PPO and Open Access Plus 

  • Aetna

    • Aetna PPO plans

    • We have been able to bill some Aetna HMO plans

    • Aetna Better Health Medicaid plans 

  • Anthem plans

  • We accept the following Illinois Medicaid Plans:

    • Meridian Medicaid

    • Blue Cross Community Medicaid

    • Molina Medicaid

    • Aetna Better Health Medicaid

  • We can bill United Health Care as an out-of-network provider. We can confirm your out-of-network benefits ahead of time.

  • We are not in-network with any HMO plans.

  • We are not able to accept any EAP plans at this time.   

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All Medicaid plans have a $0 copay for patients. Most commercial insurance plans have a $10-$45 copay, and insurance covers the rest of the cost. Some plans have a deductible, but for many plans the deductible only applies for hospital services, surgeries, etc.  In most cases, whatever your pay when you go see your regular primary care physician is what you also pay when you go to outpatient psychotherapy.

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If you are unsure about your specific coverage feel free to reach out; for most policies we can easily check on your coverage and let you know before scheduling a first appointment. We also recommend calling your insurance and asking about your coverage. 

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HOW MUCH DOES IT COST IF I DON'T HAVE INSURANCE?

The full fee for psychotherapy sessions is $180 an hour. If you do not have insurance or you are paying out of pocket for any reason we are often able to provide a reduced fee. Reduced fee sessions vary based on a few factors, including the availability of the therapist you are seeing, and the time of day of your appointment. Please inquire about sliding scale rates, when you contact us and we’ll do our best to work with you.

WHAT IF I HAVE INSURANCE THROUGH ANOTHER COMPANY?

If you have insurance coverage through another insurance company, it may be in your best interest to call them directly to find therapists in-network who can accept your insurance. If you decide you do want to proceed with services with us, we will provide you a superbill on a monthly basis to provide to your insurance company. These services would count towards your Out-of-Network reimbursement. It is a good idea to become familiar with your out-of-network benefits, to understand how your coverage works for out-of-network services. If you have United Health Care, we can easily work with you as an out-of-network client -- we will submit the claims on your behalf instead of providing you a superbill. 

DO YOU ACCEPT HSA or FSA PLANS?

Yes, we accept HSA and FSA plans. HSA and FSAs are designed to cover out of pocket healthcare costs. This includes psychotherapy copays, deductibles, or full-fee sessions.

DO YOU TAKE OUT OF STATE INSURANCE?

Yes, as long as it is Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, or Aetna PPO plans.

HOW DOES BILLING WORK?

We are a small practice and do not have a billing department. We submit claims to your insurance company and typically hear back within 1-2 weeks what is covered by your insurance, and what is your portion. We require a credit card on file and will charge your portion after we hear back from the insurance company. This streamlined process eliminates the need to send out invoices however we are happy to provide you one, if requested. There are rare occasions when insurance does not cover what we expected it to.  

 

For patients paying for sessions out of pocket, your card on file will be charged end-of-business-day for the amount you owe.

HOW FREQUENT ARE SESSIONS?

Most clients would benefit from committing to meeting weekly, especially in the beginning. The frequency of psychotherapy depends on your needs and your therapist will make recommendations about how often you should come. Some clients are best served by committing to a weekly time, however, clients can also book sessions online with their therapist based on their needs and availability.

I RECEIVED A BILL FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY?

This is likely an "Explanation of Benefits" document from your insurance company. It explains what they paid us and what it was for, and how much of our fee was not covered by your insurance. Many people mistake this for a bill because it says "You may still owe your provider $15."  

DO YOU HAVE A CANCELLATION POLICY?

Yes. We ask that you try to give us 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. More notice is appreciated so we can make your appointment time available to another client who might be needing to schedule. If appointments are canceled the day of, you may be held responsible for the full amount of the appointment (not just your copay). We do not like to charge missed appointment fees, usually any reasonable notice to your therapist of your absence will prevent these fees.

WHAT IS CONFIDENTIALITY?

Confidentiality means that your therapist is not allowed to talk with anyone about your treatment. This is an essential part of psychotherapy, to ensure you have the freedom to explore and speak to any area of your life. Therapists guard your confidentiality very closely, and are very careful to not betray your trust. Therapists are legally obligated to break confidentiality in rare circumstances, and it is very likely that the therapist will discuss the need to do this with you directly.

ARE YOU SEEING CLIENTS IN PERSON OR TELEHEALTH?

Our psychotherapists are seeing clients via telehealth and in person. Please mention your preference when inquiring about services. Telehealth and in-person therapy both have advantages and disadvantages. Telehealth was essential during the Covid-19 pandemic and we have learned a lot about the benefits and drawbacks of this service.

 

Telehealth has the benefit of eliminating travel time for your appointment and you can have your session within the comfort of your own home. Most clients report that they receive the same benefit as attending face-to-face sessions. 

 

In-person may feel more connected and personal, especially when forming a relationship with a new therapist. However, many new clients came to therapy during the covid pandemic and started therapy via telehealth, and found it just as beneficial. 

HOW ARE TELEHEALTH SESSIONS CONDUCTED?

We use a platform called Simple Practice. You will receive an email 10 minutes prior to your session with a link that is unique to your appointment time. The session is secure and HIPAA compliant.

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