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No Surprises Act and Your Rights

In compliance with the No Surprises Act that went into effect January 1, 2022, all healthcare providers are required to notify clients (existing clients and new clients) of their Federal rights and protections against “surprise billing.” 

 

This Act is intended to protect patients against any "surprise billing" or "balance billing" when receiving care or services rendered by an out-of-network provider, if a client is uninsured, or if a client elects not to use their insurance.

 

Please know that I am an “out-of-network” provider, and not in-network/contracted with any insurance companies – also called “private pay.”  This was a specific choice I made when beginning private practice because the primary focus of my work is supporting bereaved individuals.  It is my opinion, and the opinion of many professionals and experts in the field, that Grief is not a diagnosable illness but is a human experience, unique to each individual.  Insurance companies typically require a diagnosis and in some cases make efforts to dictate what type of care and duration a client is allowed to receive.  I have not found this to be conducive to the care that I provide. I work diligently with each person I work with to determine what care is helpful for you individually, what services may benefit your overall healing, length and frequency of care to meet your specific needs on your grief journey.  That said, getting care from me could cost you more than finding an in-network provider.  Ask your health care provider or patient advocate about protections that apply to you and for information about in-network providers.

Additionally, I am required to provide you with a Good Faith Estimate of the cost of services. It is difficult to determine the true length of treatment for mental health care, and each client has a right to decide how long they would like to participate in mental health care. Therefore, within the Good Faith Estimate that I will provide to you, there will be a fee schedule for the services typically offered for therapy and we will collaborate together on a regular basis to determine how many sessions you may need at a frequency that makes sense for your care.

You have a right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" explaining how much your medical care will cost.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don't have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

  • You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes  related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

  • Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least one business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose     for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

  • If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

  • Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate from any healthcare provider.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises

It is a Federal requirement that each client sign a "No Surprises Act Disclosure" form and "Good Faith Estimate" form in order to begin/resume treatment.   If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

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