FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Absolutely! Even though we are an "Out of Network" practice, you can still utilize your mental health benefits. All health insurance plans cover mental health visits to varying degrees. We will provide you with a receipt called a "Superbill" that you can use to submit to your insurance plan for reimbursement. We encourage you to contact your insurance company prior to your visit so to learn about the benefits of your specific plan. When contacting your insurance, we suggest asking the following: • Do I have any out of network benefits? • What is the out-of-pocket deductible for out of network providers? • Am I responsible for paying my deductible before sessions are covered? • What is the out of network out of pocket maximum? • What would my co-insurance/co-payment be? • What is the “allowed amount” for a 90837 (Individual 55 minute session) or 90847 (Family therapy)? (This is the total amount that insurance plans would reimburse for each specific service.) • Is pre-authorization required for Mental Health sessions? MCPS Employees: Cigna may reimburse you up to 80% of the full fee! Check your plan for details. If you do not have any Out of Network benefits, some of our clinicians are able to offer "sliding scale rates" which are lower rates due to financial need. You will be able to discuss this in your complimentary 15 minute consultation with a provider. Please note that we are considered an "Out of Network" provider. You can also utilize Reimbursify to check your benefits: https://practitioner.reimbursify.com/verifast?ec=1H7A0D5H2H (https://practitioner.reimbursify.com/verifast?ec=1H7A0D5H2H) Or file claims: https://partner-filefast.reimbursify.com/?qc=PRNCO727A(https://partner-filefast.reimbursify.com/?qc=PRNCO727A)

Therapy is an investment in your well-being. During your complimentary consultation call, we'll provide you with our rates and payment information. These rates are before any insurance reimbursement. Once you schedule with a provider, you can view our fees (typically $210-$350) in the policy statement on our client portal. Throughout your therapy journey, we'll discuss the course and length of treatment, which may change based on your needs. We ensure you're always informed about the costs. For more details, visit https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers.

Yes, you can use Credit or Debit cards without any additional fees. You can use Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Spending Accounts to pay for therapy with pre-tax dollars, making it convenient for you to utilize those funds. We do require clients to keep a payment method on file for your convenience, which may be entered directly into the secure client portal.

Yes, we can assist with filing insurance claims. Each client receives one free claim submission through Reimbursify. Visit https://partner-filefast.reimbursify.com/?qc=PRNCO727A for more details.

Choosing private pay therapy gives you greater control, privacy, and flexibility in your mental health care. When you work with a private pay therapist, you and your therapist—not an insurance company—decide what's best for your treatment, including how many sessions you need and what approaches will be most effective. Flexibility in Treatment Approach Private pay therapists can use the most effective therapeutic approaches for your unique situation without being limited to only insurance-approved methods. We can integrate different modalities, spend sessions on parenting coaching, or focus on personal growth rather than just symptom reduction. Shorter Wait Times and Better Availability Private pay practices typically have better availability, including evening and weekend appointments that work for busy professionals and families. You won't wait weeks or months to start therapy—we can often schedule your first session within days. Continuity of Care Your therapeutic relationship isn't disrupted if you change jobs, switch insurance plans, or move. You maintain the same therapist and consistent care regardless of your insurance status. Investment in Quality Private pay allows therapists to limit caseloads and spend more time on your care, including session preparation, coordination with other providers, and between-session support when needed. You're investing in specialized expertise and personalized attention. HSA/FSA Eligible and Superbills Available You can use Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Spending Accounts to pay for therapy with pre-tax dollars. We also provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement, giving you some financial benefit while maintaining the advantages of private pay. For many of our clients—especially parents seeking the best care for their teens or busy professionals who value their time and privacy—private pay therapy is an investment in faster access, better outcomes, and complete confidentiality.

It is your choice whether you submit to your health insurance company for reimbursement. If you choose not to submit, you have some additional benefits such as: Privacy and Confidentiality With private pay therapy, your treatment stays completely confidential between you and your therapist. Insurance-based therapy requires a mental health diagnosis to be filed with your insurance company, which becomes part of your permanent medical record. This can potentially affect future life insurance applications, security clearances, or employment in certain fields. Private pay means no diagnosis needs to be submitted, and your sessions remain truly private. No Session Limits or Prior Authorization Insurance companies often restrict the number of therapy sessions they'll cover or require prior authorization to continue treatment. With private pay, you and your therapist determine the frequency and duration of your care based on your actual needs—whether that's weekly sessions during a crisis or monthly maintenance sessions when you're doing well.