FAQ on Insurance

If insurance is confuzzling* to you, then you are not alone.

Many people ask questions about insurance and I only sometimes have answers. Unfortunately, every insurance company and even every insurance policy can be unique - so it is best to check with your own insurance company with questions. Deductibles and co-pays seem to vary with each policy. Even after I look up this information, sometimes the claim is returned with a different amount. While I am not an insurance expert, I can answer some questions based on what I have experienced on my end.

Here are some commonly asked questions regarding insurance:

• What insurances do you accept?
  I accept Cigna / Evernorth, First Choice Health, LifeWise, and Premera insurances.

• What is a superbill?
  If you have insurance from another company not listed above, you may be able to get reimbursed for mental health services with a superbill. It depends on your insurance policy and if you have met certain criteria, such as your deductible (see below). After you pay for your sessions, I can provide a monthly superbill. You would then submit these to your insurance for reimbursement.

• What is a deductible?
  ”The amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay.”** In other words, you have to spend a certain amount of money before insurance starts to pay for your healthcare costs. If you have a deductible that you must meet before mental health services are paid for, then you will have to pay out of pocket for your healthcare costs (that apply to your deductible) until your insurance starts to pay for services.

• How much is my co-pay?
  This seems to be the most varied element of insurance. Some people have none, while others have been in the range of $1 to $45. The typical co-pay for Premera and LifeWise insurances are $13.54 per session.***

• How do I pay for my co-pay?
  Out of pocket costs and co-pays will be charged (to a major credit card or Health Savings Account) via AutoPay through a HIPAA compliant portal. I currently use Sessions Health and current clients can access the portal here.

• Why did you wait weeks to charge me?
  This is due to another one of the mysteries of insurance. Claim return rates can vary wildly. I often prefer to wait until at least your first insurance claim has been returned before I charge your co-pay. The first claim I submit for a client often takes several weeks. After that, they are processed faster - usually about 1-2 weeks. Then I feel comfortable charging your co-pay after each session. If you have any issues or prefer that I charge you immediately, just let me know.

• Why are there different amounts listed?
  It is confusing because “amount billed,” “your responsibility,” and what I charge when you pay out of pocket may all look different. My out of pocket rate is $120 per session and the amount paid by insurance varies by company and policy. You should automatically receive bills from the portal that shows how much you have actually paid and this should match what was charged to your card. If you have any questions or issues, please let me know.

Disclaimer: I am not an insurance expert. This information is based on my experience and what I have seen on my end. Please contact your insurance company regarding your exact policy and with any questions.

*confuzzled: a word I learned from my Gen Alpha daughter, a combination of the words confused and puzzled

**Source: https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/deductible

***The rate in 2025. This amount may change from year to year.