Fees and Insurance
Fees
I use a sliding scale formula to eliminate the discomfort of negotiating and be fair to everyone who sees me. Please call me for a specific quote.
To make it easy to get acquainted, the fee is $75 for the first office visit for non-insurance clients, if we decide to meet. For insured clients, if I'm on your insurance company's provider panel, I waive the co-payment for the first visit if your insurer's contract allows this.* Otherwise, as with other insured visits, you only make a co-payment.
Insurance and Third-Party Payment
I am on the following panels as an in-network provider:
I do not accept Medi-Cal.
Other insurance issues. Insurance plans differ. Some limit the number of visits per week or year, require pre-authorization, or only cover certain major mental health diagnoses, called "parity" conditions — and I must diagnose objectively. They may require you to share the cost of your visits (co-pay), which would be specified in your plan. If you are depending on your coverage to pay for my services, and many do, please ask them for such details before meeting with me, so you can be fully informed.
Out of network? Some insurers reimburse psychotherapy with out-of-network providers. If I am not on your panel, you might ask if they will add me. Otherwise, please bring me the insurance forms. I will fill out simple receipts or provide a receipt at no extra charge (unless they require a detailed report) to help you get reimbursed. When you ask an insurer or other third party to pay for your psychotherapy, they'll require that you grant them the right to review your medical records.
Clients seeking out-of-network coverage are responsible for paying me directly, and I am not responsible for transactions between you and a third-party payer. You are responsible to pay if your insurance company denies coverage.
*If for some reason your insurance company refuses payment for the first visit, I won't charge for that visit. 24-hour notice is required to reschedule the no-charge visit once only.