Aetna members can book in-network appointments beginning September 22, 2025.
Carefirst and Blue Cross Blue Shield will soon be accepted, and members should sign up for the practice waitlist.
All clients with out-of-network benefits will be set up for courtesy billing to help them get reimbursed for therapy.
Payment options
All clients at the practice pay for their sessions in one of the following ways:
In-network insurance benefits will begin for Aetna members beginning September 22, 2025. Carefirst and Blue Cross Blue Shield will soon be accepted, and members should contact the practice to sign up for the practice waiting list.
Out-of-network insurance benefits (to learn what those benefits are, call the number on the back of your insurance card or look up your out-of-network coverage for mental health treatment in your insurance brochure)
HSA/FSA accounts (you use your card just like a cash-pay client)
Out-of-pocket (also known as self-pay or cash-pay) with a credit or debit card kept on file
Using Insurance
When using In-network insurance, you will pay a co-pay (a specific dollar amount) or co-insurance (a percentage of the total cost) at the conclusion of your session, if one applies (for some clients there is no co-pay or co-insurance at all). Your insurance paperwork is submitted on your behalf by the practice to your insurance provider.
If the practice is out-of-network for you, you can still use your insurance. Your insurance might cover up to 80% (or more) of the costs of your sessions. Estimate your costs and your insurance coverage using this calculator:
When using out-of-network insurance benefits, you are still paying for sessions upfront. This is the same way that a self-pay client pays, but, unlike a self-pay client, the practice will submit paperwork to your insurance provider on your behalf to get you reimbursed for some or most of the costs of your session(s). This is called courtesy billing and a simple step-by-step description of the process is provided below.
Courtesy Billing is available
For clients using out-of-network insurance benefits, the practice submits all your paperwork to your insurance company on your behalf at no extra cost to you. This reimbursement process looks like this:
-
Show up to your therapy session.
-
When your session is over, pay for your session. A debit or credit card is kept on file and charged by the practice.
-
Wait while the practice submits paperwork on your behalf. The duration of the wait varies by insurance company and usually takes longest after your first session.
-
Receive your reimbursement. Some companies allow you to have reimbursements direct-deposited into your bank account. Others cut physical checks and send those in the mail. Call your insurance company to find out exactly where you should look for your reimbursements.
Deciding: Self-Pay vs. Insurance
If total privacy is a concern of yours, for whatever reason, self-pay is the most private option. Your diagnosis, treatment plan, progress notes, and all other documentation in your health record is never disclosed to your insurance company because you will not be using them to cover costs of therapy. This is the most costly option.
If keeping costs down is your primary concern, in-network or out-of-network insurance benefits is the most cost-saving option. Your insurance company will have access to your diagnosis and may request at any time access to your treatment plan, progress notes, and all other documentation in your record. This is the least private option.
With either option, you can plan to meet for therapy at a frequency that keeps costs affordable for you. Many clients meet weekly or bi-weekly for therapy, but other options include monthly, bi-monthly (every two months), or quarterly. Professional discretion must be used when setting treatment frequency and will account for your current symptoms and level of functioning. If you are not well enough to meet on a low-frequency schedule, other options will be offered to you, including referrals to providers who are in-network with your insurance plan.
Cancellation Fee
Cancellations or rescheduling of booked appointments must be completed at least 24 hours in advance of the booked session (e.g., Monday clients can cancel the Sunday prior to their appointment). Cancellations within 24 hours or no-shows will incur a charge for the full cost of the session you are missing (insurance does not cover missed sessions). Two missed appointments, including cancellations made with sufficient advance notice, may result in the termination of services.