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Some Facts About Insurance

For those who feel unsure about their insurance coverage. There are three general kinds of policies:

A) Reimbursement Policies: A patient who has a reimbursement policy can choose his or her own therapist. He pays the therapist directly for the treatment and receives a bill which he then sends to the insurance company. The insurance company reimburses the patient a previously stated percentage of the bill. We all accept reimbursement insurance. In fact, it's the only kind of insurance we accept. It provides the patient with the freedom to see anyone who is licensed to provide psychotherapy and it allows the therapist to work freely with only the welfare of the patient in mind.

B) Managed Care: This is a way of enabling the insurance company to control the services a patient receives from his or her therapist. The insurance company not only restricts what the therapist can do but which therapist a prospective patient can see. The only therapists that are allowed are those who agree to conform to the company's treatment policies. We do not have any managed care contracts. We believe that patients have the right to choose their own therapists and that therapists have an obligation to treat solely with regard to the patient's needs; not the profit needs of an insurance company.

C) PP - Preferred Providers: This is a modified version of the managed care plan described above. A group of therapists will join together and apply to an insurance company for Preferred Provider status. If they agree to conform to the policies of the insurance company, they are allowed to see that company's patients.

D) Out of Network Endorsements: Some managed care policies have, "Out of Network" endorsements. These policies allow the insured to see anyone he or she wishes and functions like the Reimbursement Policy explained above.