No Surprises Act/
Good Faith Estimate Information
Effective Date: 1/1/2022
Notice Version: 1.0
Notice to all clients and prospective clients:
Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health 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 expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.
You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service, or at any time during treatment.
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.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or how to dispute a bill, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during the first therapy session?
The first session lasts 50 minutes and I will learn more about your therapy goals, your background and relevant history, and how you want to grow and change.
We decide together what your treatment goals are and what kind of therapy approach will work for you.
How often will I need to come to counseling?
According to the research, weekly therapy sessions are the most effective way to help clients achieve their goals. Each session lasts for 50 minutes and we will pick a weekly time to meet consistently that works for both our schedules.
How long do I need to come to counseling?
Many different variables go into counseling so it is hard to give an exact time frame for how long it will take you to reach your therapeutic goals. Approximately every month or so we will re-evaluate where you are in reaching your goals and if there are new goals to explore.
How much do sessions cost?
My cost is $195 per 50 minute session.
Are sessions covered by my insurance?
I am an out-of-network provider for most PPOs. However, many clients make the decision to not use their insurance benefits because of the following advantages:
- Your information remains private. Your insurance company doesn’t have access to treatment records or notes.
- You don’t have a diagnosis permanently attached to your medical record.
- We get to decide the course and length of treatment based on you need and my professional recommendations instead of what the insurance allows.
How do I seek reimbursement from my insurance company?
I will provide a superbill so that you can seek reimbursement from your insurance company.
What do I need to know about the No Surprises Act and my right to a Good Faith Estimate?
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Please click here to read about your rights under this act.
Where do sessions take place?
All questions are currently held virtually through SimplePractice (for HiPAA compliance).
How do I schedule my initial complementary 15 minute phone call or video consult with you?
Please call (415) 873-9828 to schedule your complimentary phone or video consultation.