If your plan has a deductible (most do), you may have to pay for therapy out of pocket until you meet the deductible. Being a “private paying customer” means that you are paying out of your own pocket for therapy. You don't use insurance, and charitable or grant funds don't cover part of your bill for you. There are ways you can save when you pay out of pocket, but let's go through some basics first.
Among therapists who still accept health insurance, many inform patients about the risks of using health insurance to pay for therapy. Since your therapist has a healthy relationship with you, he or she probably understands the reason for your tears. In many cases, you can use an HSA to pay for therapy, but you should first check with your benefit provider and therapist. Usually, insurance companies limit the number of sessions they pay in a calendar year, so it's important to check with your insurance provider before starting therapy to determine how much of the cost of treatment will be covered.
The therapists who practice at the Bucks County Anxiety Center work with teens (age 14 and older) and adults struggling with anxiety and OCD. Busy health and business professionals, first-time mothers, and students often find teletherapy attractive because they can talk to their therapists from anywhere. It is also true that most therapists are hardworking, well-trained professionals who have done their homework and paid their dues, who deserve to be paid and have a profitable practice that also allows them to have a good quality of life and support their families like any other business owner does. If you have out-of-network benefits with your insurance plan, you may be reimbursed for most of what you pay the therapist.
While the profession requires at least a master's degree, many therapists earn doctorates, medical degrees, and other specialty certifications. But how much does therapy cost? Here's what you can expect to pay for therapy, along with some helpful tips for reducing your out-of-pocket costs. While private pay may not be right for everyone, many therapists reserve some low-cost office spaces, both as a way to give back to the community and to work with people who have complex cases but can't afford the treatment they need. In many cases, you will have to pay the therapist the full amount they charge you in advance, then take the “superbill” they give you, the statement that lists all your charges for a certain period of time, and send it to the insurance company.
Keep in mind that many therapists in private practice, that is, self-employed therapists cannot assume the same level of risk as a large health care organization. Before the days of mental health advocates and mental health awareness campaigns, visiting a therapist in any capacity was seen as a luxury that most people couldn't afford. If insurance doesn't deny your claim, but offers partial payment, you're expected to pay the difference between what the therapist charges and what the insurance company pays.
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