Panel-Free in 2023
“Do you take insurance” is a very common question I get from prospective clients, and the answer is a bit complicated. Providers can “panel” with insurance companies to become “in-network” providers (INN). In-Network providers agree to their contract terms including reimbursement amounts. INN providers bill the insurance company the cost of the session (minus what they charge their clients/patients for copays/coinsurance/deductible amounts), and the insurance company pays the provider the remaining amount.
Some insurance policies have Out of Network (OON) benefits, meaning that card holders may be able to be reimbursed a portion or all of the amounts that they pay OON providers directly. When a provider is OON for a certain insurance company, the client pays the provider directly, the provider gives them a fancy receipt, and the client submits the receipt to their insurance company directly.
For years I have been INN for some insurance companies and OON for others. Starting in 2023, I will no longer be IN NETWORK for any insurance companies. This decision did not come without tremendous thought and angst. I understand that I will not be as accessible to a lot of people, and that saddens me. I won’t Soap Box too much here, but instead say that being In Network became no longer viable for my business due to lack of payment according to contracted terms.
My new business model in 2023 will be completely OON. If you are hoping to be reimbursed by your insurance company, use THIS FORM to check with your current policy OR while researching and deciding upon new policies to see if Out of Network benefits are a possibility. I will continue to keep a couple of deeply discounted slots available for clients who cannot afford my full fee.
My wish for the future is that we as a country can figure out how to meet the mental health needs of our own, for it to be accessible and affordable, while also compensating mental health providers well for their extensive education, unpaid internships, and ongoing advanced trainings. Until then, I will continue to provide the best services I can to as many people as possible while also being able to sustain my business and family.
