FEES & BILLING
You are responsible for payment at the time of service. Credit or debit card information is required to schedule a session but you will not be charged until your appointment time.
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Please be aware that I do not accept insurance.
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Some insurance plans will reimburse you for the cost of services provided by an out-of-network provider. I can provide you with the appropriate billing documents for you to submit to your insurance company. Contact your health plan directly to verify your specific benefit eligibility.
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It's important to consider all the benefits and risks before using your health insurance for therapy. If you would like to learn more about why Starfish Wellness, PLLC does not accept insurance, continue reading below.
WHY INSURANCE IS NOT ACCEPTED
I BELIEVE IN TIMELY MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT
If you’ve recently decided to start therapy, you've probably found that most insurance based therapy practices have a long wait list for new clients. Sometimes even established clients have to wait weeks between sessions due to their therapist’s schedule. Because I have no contractual agreements with health plans, I am able to provide prompt service and flexible scheduling options to ensure that you receive the therapy you need, when you need it.
I BELIEVE YOU SHOULD RECEIVE THERAPY ON YOUR TERMS
Insurance companies often limit the number of sessions you can attend. They can even abruptly stop paying for sessions, regardless of where you are in the therapeutic process. Whether you need therapy on a short term or long term basis, it’s important that you conclude services only when clinically appropriate as determined between you and your therapist—not as ordered by your health plan.
I VALUE AN ETHICAL, ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS
Insurance companies require therapists to diagnose clients with a mental illness in order to receive payment for services. While many people have mental conditions that can be diagnosed, the reality is that not everyone who gets therapy has a diagnosable condition. Your diagnosis should be based on an evaluation and assessment by your provider and should never be influenced by your insurance company or health plan. Because a diagnosis becomes part of your permanent medical record that can be accessed by other parties in certain situations, it is crucial that your diagnosis is accurate, if one applies to you.
I VALUE THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH RECORD
Any mental health diagnosis you receive in therapy will be part of your medical record. Government agencies can access your medical and mental health record when completing background checks which may affect your eligibility for certain job positions. Sometimes mental health records can be used in divorce and child custody proceedings in court. Always double check with your therapist if you have questions about the limitations of confidentiality.
I VALUE EASY, STRAIGHT-FORWARD BILLING
Insurance companies create several billing barriers for therapists and clients. Sometimes insurance companies will deny claims weeks after being submitted, even after informing the client that services would be covered. As a result, a client can be left with a big therapy bill that they never planned to have. You started therapy to improve your life, not to argue about bills with your insurance company. Paying for services out of pocket is simple, straightforward, and ensures you don’t have any surprise expenses.