Good Faith Estimate
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Federal Law requires me to provide an estimate for the cost of treatment for most new patients. This well-intended law does not fit neatly into the realm of psychotherapy. Until I do an initial evaluation and we start our work together, I will not have a clear picture of your specific diagnosis, issues, and needs. I typically see patients for 10 or more sessions, but this varies according to presenting concerns, treatment goals, and progress toward those goals. Fewer or more sessions may be needed. There is no cookie-cutter approach in psychotherapy. It is a process that unfolds over time. This makes estimating the total cost of treatment difficult to calculate or predict. In many cases, ongoing sessions are deemed clinically appropriate and helpful but are decided upon through mutual agreement.
I am always interested in discussing your therapy experience and welcome an open dialogue about session frequency and length of treatment. Sessions are scheduled with your consent. You are never obligated to schedule additional sessions but I encourage you to anticipate at least 1-3 sessions for a meaningful and planful ending, depending on how long you have been in treatment. Please speak with me about any concerns you have about the number of sessions we schedule and your ability to pay.
Details of the Estimate
The following is a detailed list of expected charges for psychological services scheduled during the 2025 calendar year. The estimated costs are valid for the calendar year associated with this Good Faith Estimate (GFE) unless I inform you of any rate changes. The initial intake appointment is a one-time charge of $250. Subsequent individual psychotherapy or marital therapy appointments are $180 (multiplied by total number of sessions scheduled over the course of treatment). Group therapy sessions are $65 (weekly attendance expected). Cancellations (<24 hrs. notice) or missed appointments are charged at the full rate of the scheduled service. Participants in group therapy are allotted three (3) missed sessions per calendar year for which they are not charged. Calculating your anticipated cost for treatment is wholly contingent on the number of sessions we schedule. If it would be helpful to set a select number of sessions within which we pursue our work, we can discuss that as part of the treatment plan. Additional details of my fee policy are available in my “Consent & Fee Policy” document.
If you have requested that I submit claims to your insurance company as an “Out of Network Provider”, you might be eligible to receive some degree of reimbursement from your insurance company – depending on the specifics of your policy and any deductible that your plan stipulates. I do not know, nor am I responsible for, the reimbursement amount to which you may be entitled by your insurance company.
Please contact your carrier to ask specifically for the dollar amount you will be reimbursed for out of network service codes 90791 (Intake), 90837 (Individual Psychotherapy Sessions), and/or 90847 (Family Therapy). My therapy groups are not typically covered by insurance. The insurance company representative may provide a percentage of reimbursement but that figure is misleading because it is based on their in-house fee schedule and not the aforementioned fees that I charge. You are legally entitled to be informed by the insurance company the dollar amount they may reimburse. Potential reimbursement amounts from your insurance company may offset your out-of-pocket expenses, but I cannot predict ahead of time what that would be.
Disclaimer
This Good Faith Estimate (GFE) shows the costs of services that are reasonably expected to address your mental health care needs. The estimate is based on the information known to me when I provided this estimate.
The GFE does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment such as increased frequency of sessions required due to marked psychological distress. Since you share in the responsibility of scheduling appointments, there should be no surprises. Your out-of-pocket expense is determined simply by the number of sessions you schedule or fail to cancel with more than 24-hours notice. Please speak to me if you have concerns about the charges or cost of your treatment.
Federal law allows you to appeal the bill if you are charged $400 more than this GFE has outlined. Because psychotherapy sessions are scheduled consensually, this will not occur. You may also pursue a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
If you choose to use the dispute resolution process, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days of the date on the original bill. There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process (payable by you). If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you will only have to pay the fees stipulated on this GFE.
If the agency disagrees with you and affirms that the bill presented to you is consistent with this GFE, you will have to pay the amount charged.
To learn more and obtain a form to start the process, go to: www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call CMS at 1-800-985-3059.For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call CMS at 1-800-985-3059.This GFE is not a contract. It does not obligate you to accept the services listed above.
* No signature is required on this GFE. It is provided merely for informational purposes.