A bit of context is in order…

The unfortunate reality is that most therapists in DC do not accept insurance as in-network providers, and most insurance companies make it unnecessarily difficult for you to utilize your benefits. These two truths are not unrelated— despite federal law requiring insurance companies to provide mental health coverage equal to or better than coverage for physical health, that mandate has been poorly enforced, leading many therapists to make the difficult decision to not accept insurance as in-network providers. Our professional organizations are lobbying Congress to improve the enforcement of so-called “parity law” and ease this burden on folks seeking therapy.

So, do you accept my insurance?

Like most therapists in DC, I am an “out-of-network” provider and do not work directly with insurance companies. However, if your plan covers out-of-network mental health benefits (e.g., as it may with a PPO plan), you may be eligible to receive reimbursement for 50-80% of your session cost. Each month, I will provide you with a statement of services with which to seek such reimbursement, though ultimately it will be your responsibility to subsequently seek reimbursement from your insurer. If you have an insurance plan that requires you to see an in-network provider (e.g., if you have an HMO plan), you will likely need to seek treatment from an in-network provider instead.

I cannot communicate with your insurance company on your behalf, so I encourage you to call your insurance company (usually the number is listed on the back of your insurance card) and ask the following with regards to “mental or behavioral health benefits”:

• Does my plan include coverage for individual outpatient psychotherapy sessions with an out-of-network provider? Your insurance provider may ask for what’s called a CPT code when asking this question; for weekly individual therapy, I use CPT code 90834.

• What is my out-of-network deductible (the out-of-pocket amount you have to cover before benefits kick-in), and has it been met?

• How many sessions does my plan cover per calendar year?

• Do I need a pre-authorization?

• How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?

I require payment at the time of services and accept debit/credit card payments via digital money transfer.

I take this work and your commitment to it very seriously.

Therapy is a significant investment of precious time, money, and emotional resources. That fact and the responsibility that comes with it are absolutely not lost on me! As your therapist, I will hold myself and our work together to a standard that is reflective of that significant investment, and I will always welcome and often solicit your feedback on how to better align the therapeutic process with your personal goals and values.