SanDiegoTherapist.com - Rates and Insurance - As a San Diego and N San DiegoTherapist, Current Rates are Discussed

Regular Hours

Monday	5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday	3:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday	5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday	12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday	8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday	9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Hours, Availability and Couple Other Things

Rates
Rates are comparable with other therapists in the field. Fees are expected upon delivery of service. You may request a bill in order to seek reimbursement from your insurance company (on your own).

Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:

Do I have mental health benefits?
What is my deductible and has it been met?
How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Should you use insurance for counseling? Read my brief discussion below.

Reduced Fee
Reduced fee services are available on a limited basis.

Payment
Cash or check accepted for payment.

Cancellation Policy
If you do not show up for your scheduled appointment, and you have not notified us at least 24 hours in advance, you will be required to pay the full cost of the appointment

Insurance Concerns

I no longer contract directly with any insurance company plans or participate as a network provider. Having done so for many years and opted out despite a “Preferred Provider” status, there were important elements of the relationship that I began to see as a conflict of interest. Your health insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. It is important for each person to know their something about their policy, not the doctor, or therapist’s secretary. This way you know a bit of what is happening when you use it.

Variations in insurance agreements, individual deductibles, and personalized company agreements set-up with each insurance company require you to be personally active with your insurance plan. This was easier to monitor in the past. Today, we all need know our insurance benefits. More importantly, despite the potential financial benefits, using your health insurance to pay for psychotherapy is a complicated issue.

I maintain loyalty only to my clients and therefore have no conflicts of interest. I can provide you with a receipt for payment made for professional services for your insurance company. Please specify your intention to submit a claim because that will require additional information for reimbursement, including a diagnosis of a mental disorder. However, it is critical that you understand the result of this decision on your part.

I believe this is extremely important in understanding how we manage our lives and the flow of information today. Much like you FICO scores or credit card ratings, your health information is also stored and remains available under certain circumstances. When you apply for health, disability or life insurance, any diagnosis that has been given to you for the sake if insurance reimbursement is immediately accessible. The details of various of your examinations or visit with various physicians will only be released when you provide authorizations.

So, you may want to consider if the amount you receive in return for your insurance company being involved, is worth the privacy trade-off. Certainly this will be the case if you have a battery of expensive tests or an admission for outpatient care. However, many of the patients I treat have elected to pay directly. Their choice is to keep our work truly private and not have a diagnosis, even a relatively mild one such as mild-depression or generalized anxiety, in their health profile.

Several serious problems are associated with mental health care insurance:

1. Potential Loss of Confidentiality and Privacy

    2. Therapist no longer controls treatment – You will have a case manager
    3. The potential effects of you having a documented psychiatric disorder
    4. In order to stay in treatment, you cannot get completely better.
    5. Couples, families, & personal growth don’t qualify – psychiatric diagnosis only

Please thoughtfully consider all sides of this very complicated issue before you make a decision about using your health insurance for psychotherapy. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I work to help individuals, couples or families become more confident in how they relate to others and develop healthy lifestyles for today.

The clients who come to me require the practice I have developed – A highly discreet and professional setting where individuals or couples can explore their life and feel supported in their decision-making process.

Request an Appointment Time
Contact David →HERE.