Professional Clinical Services
Practicum Intern: $80
A student enrolled in a graduate counseling program who is completing supervised experience as part of their degree requirements. This experience is typically completed toward the end of the program and is supervised by a licensed mental health professional.
Associate (LPC/LMFT): $120
A mental health professional who has completed their master’s degree and has passed the required licensing exams. They are currently in the process of completing their required supervised experience under the supervision of a licensed supervisor.
Clinician (LPC/LMFT/LCSW): $160
A fully licensed mental health professional who has completed all educational, clinical, and supervision requirements. These individuals can practice independently without the need for ongoing supervision.
Consultants
Parenting & Family Consultant: $100
Consultants provide specialized guidance and support focused on enhancing parenting skills, improving family dynamics, and fostering healthy family relationships. Detailed descriptions of each consultant’s qualifications and areas of focus are available on their individual profiles.
Please note that our consultants are not licensed mental health professionals, and their services are distinct from those provided by our licensed clinicians. They do not provide therapy or diagnose mental health conditions. Consultant services are not covered by insurance.
Cancellation/No-Show Policy
To avoid a $100 fee, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.
We accept a wide range of insurance plans through our partnership with Headway, including Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, BCBS, and many others. Please note that our therapists are independently credentialed, so accepted plans vary by provider. Please contact us to confirm your specific insurance coverage.
What is Headway?
Headway is a platform that helps us connect with and serve clients who use in-network insurance for their mental health care. It streamlines the process of insurance billing and payments, making it easier for you to access therapy with your in-network benefits. Essentially, Headway helps us manage the administrative side so we can focus on providing you with quality care.
Are there fees associated with using Headway?
There are no fees paid to Headway itself – your costs will be determined by your individual insurance plan, just as they would be for any in-network medical service. This means you may be responsible for:
Copayments: A fixed amount you pay for each session.
Deductibles: The amount you must pay before your insurance starts covering costs.
Coinsurance: A percentage of the cost you share with your insurance company.
Headway helps us verify your insurance benefits and provides transparency regarding your potential out-of-pocket costs. If you have specific questions about your insurance coverage or potential costs, we recommend you review your insurance plan’s details directly. We can also help you understand the information that Headway provides regarding your insurance benefits.
Will I still interact with your practice directly, or will all communication be through Headway?
You will continue to interact with our practice directly for scheduling, therapy sessions, and clinical matters. Headway primarily handles the in-network insurance aspects of your care. We are still your primary point of contact for your mental health needs and general billing questions.
If I have billing questions regarding Headway, who should I contact?
For billing questions related to your insurance claims processed through Headway, you can first contact our team at 281.344.2027. If needed they can help you navigate Headway’s client support. You can also find help resources and contact information directly on Headway’s website.
I have in-network coverage with the clinician I chose - what's the process?
Great! If you haven’t already, contact our office so we can gather your insurance information and discuss your needs. We’ll then use Headway to verify your insurance benefits, allowing us to understand your coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs. Once verified, we will tentatively schedule your initial appointment (pending your billing account setup with Headway).
Headway will then provide you access to their secure billing portal, where you can verify your account, add your insurance and billing information, and acknowledge their billing and privacy forms. Very importantly, we need all of this information on file before we can confirm your initial appointment – if not, we will have to cancel the session, and the late cancellation fee may apply.
After attending your scheduled therapy session, Headway handles the billing with your insurance provider, and you will be responsible for any applicable copays, deductibles, or coinsurance. By using Headway, we strive to make utilizing your in-network insurance benefits as seamless and transparent as possible.
For those utilizing out-of-network benefits or preferring self-pay, we utilize Thrizer to facilitate secure and efficient transactions. While you can always request a superbill and submit it to your insurance company directly, we offer the option to utilize reimbursement services through Thrizer. While payment is typically due upfront, Thrizer’s system may even allow you to pay only your estimated copay at the time of service, if you qualify, which could reduce your up-front out-of-pocket expenses.
What is Thrizer?
Thrizer is a service we’ve partnered with to make using your out-of-network insurance benefits much easier. It handles the complicated parts of insurance billing, so you can focus on your therapy. We also use this platform for self-pay transactions.
How does Thrizer help me with out-of-network insurance claims?
When using Thrizer through us, you have several payment and claim submission options. If you have not met your out-of-network deductible, the “Pre-Deductible” pay is the standard, where you pay the full session fee and Thrizer takes care of tracking the status of your account until the deductible is met. If you have met your out-of-network deductible, two options are available, ‘OON Pay’ or ‘Thrizer Pay’. OON Pay is where you pay the full session fee and wait for your reimbursement to be deposited directly into your bank account. Thrizer Pay allows you to pay only your copay or coinsurance, in which case Thrizer covers the rest of your session fee while they wait for the reimbursement from your insurance company. This last option is very similar to how in-network insurance claims work.
We also understand that some clients prefer to manage their claims directly, so we provide superbills upon request, enabling them to submit claims independently. This flexibility ensures our clients can choose the method that best suits their needs. A deductible, as a reminder, is the amount clients must pay out-of-pocket before their insurance coverage begins. By utilizing Thrizer, we aim to reduce the administrative burden on both our clients and our practice, ensuring a smoother experience with claims and payments.
Are there fees associated with using Thrizer?
Yes, Thrizer does have associated fees (for clients and the practice). The specific fees you would be responsible for can vary depending on the payment option you choose. For example, the ‘Thrizer Pay’ option, which allows you to pay only your copay or coinsurance after meeting your deductible, typically involves a slightly higher fee than their ‘OON Pay’ option. It’s best to consult Thrizer’s pricing page or contact our practice or Thrizer directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding their fee structure.
By the way, when clients pursue out-of-network reimbursements directly with their insurance (the “traditional” way), our practice does not incur any fees. However, we’ve chosen to partner with Thrizer and accept the associated costs on our end because we believe it significantly improves the client experience by streamlining the payment and claims process. Please feel free to reach out to us with any feedback regarding your experiences with Thrizer, as our intent in working with them is to help make your access to care as smooth and stress-free as possible.
I have out-of-network coverage, what's the process?
If you are utilizing out-of-network benefits or opting for self-pay, getting started with our partner Thrizer is straightforward. First, contact our practice to discuss your needs and payment preferences. We’ll verify your insurance benefits to help us understand your coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs. Once verified, we will tentatively schedule your initial appointment (pending your billing account setup with Thrizer).
We’ll then set you up on the Thrizer platform, where you can securely manage your payments and access necessary documentation. If you’re using out-of-network benefits, we’ll explain the payment options, including paying the full session fee until your deductible is met or, after meeting your deductible, utilizing Thrizer Pay or OON Pay to receive reimbursement. For self-pay, you’ll be able to directly pay for your sessions with Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express, HSA, or FSA through the Thrizer portal. We can also provide superbills upon request if you intend to file claims independently.
At this time you will have access to their secure billing portal, where you can add your billing information. Very importantly, we need all of this information on file before we can confirm your initial appointment – if not, we will have to cancel the session, and the late cancellation fee may apply.
After attending your scheduled therapy session, Thrizer handles the billing and claims with your insurance provider. They will track your deductible and/or process your insurance reimbursement according to the option you selected. If you choose to file independently, you can receive a superbill upon request.
Can I bypass insurance and pay directly?
Yes, absolutely. If you prefer not to use your insurance benefits, we will use Thrizer’s platform for self-pay. This allows you to pay for your sessions directly with Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express, HSA, or FSA, without involving your insurance company.
Will I still interact with your practice directly, or will all communication be through Thrizer?
You will continue to interact with our practice directly for scheduling, therapy sessions, and clinical matters. Thrizer primarily handles the out-of-network insurance aspects of your care. We are still your primary point of contact for your mental health needs and general billing questions.
If I have billing questions regarding Thrizer, who should I contact?
For billing questions related to your claims and fees processed through Thrizer, you can first contact our team at 281.344.2027. If needed they can help you navigate Thrizer’s client support. You can also find help resources and contact information directly on Thrizer’s website.
GENERAL BILLING QUESTIONS
What are your payment options?
We offer several payment options to accommodate your needs. For clients using in-network insurance, billing is handled through Headway, where you’ll manage copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance as determined by your plan.
For out-of-network insurance, Thrizer is used, offering flexibility. You can pay the full session fee until your deductible is met…then, after meeting your deductible, you can either pay the full fee and receive direct reimbursement, or pay only your copay or coinsurance with Thrizer managing the remaining reimbursement process.
If you prefer self-pay without insurance, our partnershp with Thrizer allows direct payment via Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express, HSA, or FSA.
Do you accept my insurance?
Insurance acceptance can vary depending on the individual clinician you are seeing. Our practice works with both Headway for in-network billing and Thrizer for out-of-network and self-pay options. Headway allows us to verify insurance benefits, but whether a particular clinician is in-network with your plan can vary. Therefore, we recommend contacting us directly with your insurance information so we can confirm if your chosen clinician is in-network (you can also review clinician profiles here). If they are not, we offer out-of-network options through Thrizer, or self-pay options. We are happy to help you navigate your insurance benefits and payment choices.
What if my insurance doesn't cover therapy?
If your insurance doesn’t cover therapy, or if you prefer not to use your insurance benefits, we offer a self-pay option through Thrizer. This allows you to pay for your sessions directly with a major credit card, including HSA and FSA cards, without involving your insurance company.
What is the difference between in-network and out-of-network providers?
In-network providers have contracts with your insurance company to offer services at negotiated rates. This usually means lower out-of-pocket costs for you, such as copays or coinsurance, and often, your insurance company handles the claims directly. We utilize Headway for in-network billing, which helps streamline this process and verify your benefits.
Out-of-network providers do not have these contracts. You may have to pay the full session fee upfront and then file a claim with your insurance for reimbursement, which may be for a portion of the fee or none at all, depending on your plan. Out-of-network benefits often involve higher deductibles and coinsurance. However, we offer Thrizer to simplify out-of-network billing. Thrizer can track your deductible, and even allow you to pay only your copay/coinsurance after your deductible is met, handling the insurance reimbursement for you. We also provide superbills upon request if you prefer to file claims independently. This ensures we provide support for claims processing in both in-network and out-of-network situations.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require a 24-hour notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Failure to provide adequate notice will result in a $100 fee.
Do you offer sliding scale fees?
We may be able to offer a sliding scale fee based on your financial situation. Please discuss this with our office staff.
What about legal proceedings and court appearances?
Providing court testimony or records is not a standard service we offer. Our focus remains on therapeutic services, in-person or virtual. While we don’t offer court-related services, we are legally obligated to comply with valid court orders, such as subpoenas. If legally compelled to appear in court, we will do so, but associated fees will apply.
Court appearances necessitate substantial preparation, scheduling adjustments, and time. A $3,000 retainer is required for legally compelled court appearances, securing our time and covering preparation, travel, court time, and administrative tasks. Following the court appearance, any portion of the retainer remaining after accounting for all related expenses will be refunded. If expenses exceed the retainer, you will be billed for the difference. The retainer secures our time and resources, even if the court appearance is canceled or postponed after preparation has begun.
Please note, we do not provide forensic evaluations, custody recommendations, or child abuse/custody investigations. Our participation in custody-related court hearings or meetings is limited to legally mandated appearances or information disclosures.
GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE NOTICE
Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, the “No Surprise Act,” you have a right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” (GFE) explaining how much your therapy service will cost. Under the law, healthcare providers are required to provide clients who do not have insurance or who choose not to use their insurance for therapy services with an estimate of the cost of those services.
- You have the right to receive a GFE for the total expected cost of therapy services.
- Make sure your therapist gives you a GFE in writing at least 1 business day before your appotinment. You can also ask your therapist, and any other provider you choose, for a GFE before you schedule your appointment.
- If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your GFE, you can dispute the bill.
- Make sure to save a copy of your GFE.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1.800.985.3059.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Here are some questions to ask your insurance provider to determine your coverage for mental health services:
- Does my insurance plan cover mental health services?
- What is my deductible for mental health services?
- What is my co-pay / co-insurance for a mental health appointment?
- Is there a limit on the number of sessions covered per year?
- Is my therapist/counselor in-network with my insurance plan?
- If not, what is the out-of-network coverage for mental health services?
- How do I verify if a provider is in-network?
- Are there any specific requirements or authorizations needed for mental health services?
- What is the process for submitting claims for reimbursement?
- Are there any specific mental health diagnoses that are excluded from coverage?