How to Navigate Your Insurance

Step One: Call your insurance company. Their member services number should be on the back of your card.

Step Two: Ask if you have “out of network” benefits for mental health care. They may ask, “outpatient or inpatient?” Working with me is considered outpatient care.

Step Three: Find out if you have a deductible that must be met before coverage kicks in. If so, ask them how much you need to pay before your insurance begins to reimburse you for out-of-pocket fees.

Step Four: Ask how much your plan will reimburse you. Ask the representative, “What is the maximum allowed amount for mental health service code 90837 with a therapist, and what percentage of the maximum allowed amount will my plan pay?” This percentage of the maximum allowed amount is the amount you would receive as reimbursement.

Other Ways to Pay

It’s worth asking your insurance company if they are willing to do a “single case agreement” for therapy care with me. If your insurance is willing to set up an agreement, you’ll need my NPI number - 1588383970.

Using Insurance for Couples Counseling

For couples seeking therapy, I understand the desire to utilize insurance benefits. However, it's important to recognize that health insurance typically does not cover relationship counseling, regardless of the extent of your plan or assurances from your provider. This holds true whether the therapist is in-network or out-of-network. I recognize that this can come as surprising and unwelcome news, so we urge you to take a moment to review the explanation below to make informed decisions about your care.

The question "Do you take our insurance for couples/relationship therapy?" often requires a detailed response. If your insurance company claims to cover couples counseling, it's typically under specific circumstances: when one person is undergoing treatment for a diagnosed mental illness, with the partner attending sessions to support their treatment. In such cases, insurance covers therapy focused solely on the diagnosed mental illness of one partner. However, it's crucial to understand that this approach entails the diagnosed individual being considered the "identified patient," with their mental health treatment documented accordingly. This may impact various aspects of their life, including applications for life insurance, military service, and certain professional licenses.

The challenge arises because most couples seek therapy not to address a single person's mental illness, but to work on relationship dynamics, communication, conflict resolution, and other relational issues. Unfortunately, insurance typically covers only treatment for diagnosable mental illnesses, not broader relationship issues. This discrepancy between the scope of therapy and insurance coverage is frustrating for both clients and therapists.

I understand that therapy represents a financial investment, and I strive to maximize its benefits for my clients. My relationship therapy sessions are $175 for the standard 50-minute appointment.