A: A question I get a TON is, "do you accept insurance?"
I do not.
You might be thinking, "Well that sucks, because I pay for insurance so I want to use it." Which, I totally get.
But I also think it's important that you understand what happens when you use your insurance to cover therapy and relatedly, why I've chosen not to accept it directly:
1. The insurance company requires a least one diagnosis.
Not all of my clients qualify for a diagnosis or want a diagnosis to become a part of their medical record.
Unfortunately, insurance companies still engage in practices that promote stigma. When it comes time to renew your insurance or switch plans, your premiums could rise as a result of that diagnosis, potentially costing you more.
2. It compromises confidentiality.
When you are a provider who accepts insurance, insurance companies can request your notes at any time to deem whether treatment is "medically necessary." I find this really invasive to clients who are trusting me with sensitive and personal information.
3. Treatment is out of your control.
When you utilize insurance for therapy, the insurance company typically approves only a certain number of sessions you are allowed. Obviously, the person assigning this number of sessions does not know you personally, or understands your individual needs. Therapy is not predictable and working under a time-limit can add stress to the therapeutic process.
4. My clients are committed.
Clients who are willing to make the investment in therapy are often more committed, and as a result, achieve better results. When you take therapy seriously, you see the investment pay off in every area of your life. There is nothing more (literally and figuratively) than personal growth and overall fulfillment.
While I choose not to directly accept insurance for the reasons listed above, some insurance companies actually offer decent out-of-network "OON", provider benefits. This means that you may be able to receive full or partial reimbursement for our work together. This really depends on your specific insurance policy. You can get an instant estimate of your OON benefits using the nirvana calculator below.
If paying for out of pocket is not an option for you financially, please check out my other services offered with Book Club Meets Group Therapy and my self study E-courses.
