Why I Work Outside of Insurance.

I choose to work directly with my clients rather than through insurance companies.

Insurance can make therapy more affordable when coverage is good, but using insurance also means bringing a third party into your care. Staying outside of insurance gives us more freedom to make decisions based on what is actually helpful to you rather than what an insurance company requires in order to pay a claim.

Changes in the insurance and credentialing industry have only strengthened my decision to maintain an independent practice.

It can also mean:

• More privacy. Information does not automatically need to be submitted to an insurance company simply because you are receiving therapy.

• More freedom around diagnosis. Insurance reimbursement generally requires a mental-health diagnosis. Not every person who benefits from therapy needs to have their experience framed around a reimbursable diagnosis.

• More flexibility in our work. We can make decisions about frequency, length, and approach based on your needs rather than the requirements of an insurance plan.

• More of my time devoted to clinical care. I am not spending clinical resources obtaining authorizations, appealing claims, or managing insurance requirements.

Superbills and Out-of-Network Benefits

Please plan on paying the full cost of therapy yourself.

I do not bill insurance or guarantee reimbursement from any insurance company.

If you have out-of-network benefits and would like to seek reimbursement independently, you may request a superbill from me. A superbill contains information an insurer may require to consider an out-of-network claim, including a diagnosis.

Before requesting one, I encourage you to contact your insurer directly and find out exactly what your plan requires. Your diagnosis or the type of service you receive may not qualify for reimbursement, your deductible may apply, and an insurer may request additional information before deciding whether to pay a claim.

You are always responsible for the full fee regardless of whether your insurer reimburses you.

A specific note for Blue Cross Blue Shield members: I am not registered as an out-of-network provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield or its affiliated plans. Some BCBS plans require out-of-network providers to register with them before they will reimburse members for services. Because I do not participate in that registration process, please assume that services with me will not be reimbursed by a BCBS plan and make your decision about therapy based on being able to pay your selected fee without reimbursement.

Choosing not to use insurance is not necessarily the right choice for everyone. For some people, insurance coverage makes ongoing therapy possible. My practice is simply structured differently: around a small caseload, direct relationships with clients, greater privacy and clinical flexibility, and transparent fees from the beginning.