The fees for services are listed in the slide(s) to the right. Each co-payment and any unmet portion of your deductible must be paid to your counselor at each session. Payment can be made by cash, check (made payable to Still Waters Professional Counseling, LLC), or credit card. If a check does not clear at the bank, you may be asked to pay for future services in cash. There is a $15.00 fee charged for each returned check in addition to the amount of the check. If there is an unpaid balance on your account, you will receive a bill at the end of each month that will indicate the amount that has been billed to your insurance company and the amount you are required to pay. Payment is due at the time your bill is received.
Any fees relating to foreseen or unforeseen legal action that require your counselor to reproduce records or participate in depositions or court appearances will be the responsibility of the person who is responsible for the uninsured portion of a client’s bill. This is without regard to who files the subpoena or initiates the legal action. It is the signor’s responsibility to obtain reimbursement from any other party. Fifty percent (50%) of the estimated charges must be paid in advance.
Alternative financial arrangements and payment options are available for clients experiencing financial hardship or without insurance coverage. Our office will work with you to make your visit as cost effective as possible.
To set realistic treatment goals and priorities, it is important to evaluate what resources you have available to pay for your treatment. If you have a health insurance policy, it will usually provide some coverage for mental health treatment. Your counselor will provide you with whatever assistance he/she can in helping you receive benefits to which you are entitled; however, you, not your insurance company, are responsible for full payment of fees. It is very important that you find out about the mental health services your insurance policy covers. If you have questions about the coverage, call your plan administrator. We will provide you with whatever information we can and will call the company on your behalf to clear up any confusion.
Due to the rising cost of health care, insurance befits have increasingly become more complex. It is sometimes difficult to determine exactly how much mental health coverage is available. “Managed Health Care” plans such as HMOs and PPOs often require authorization before they provide reimbursement for mental health services. These plans are often limited to short-term treatment approaches designed to work out specific problems that interfere with a person’s usual level of functioning. It may be necessary to seek approval for more counseling after a certain number of sessions. While much can be accomplished in short-term counseling, some patients feel that they need more services after insurance benefits end. [Some managed-care plans will not allow your counselor to provide services to you once your benefits cease. If this is the case, we will do our best to find another provider who will help you continue your psychotherapy.
Once we have all of the information about your insurance coverage, we will discuss what we can expect to accomplish with the benefits that are available and what will happen if they run out before you feel ready to end your sessions. It is important to remember that you always have the right to pay for our services yourself to avoid the problems described above [unless prohibited by contract.]