Rates & Insurance
Are therapists covered by insurance at Uncover Mental Health Counseling?
Navigating health insurance plans can be a daunting task, with no two plans ever being the same even if they are under the same insurance company. The process of understanding your benefits may even trigger feelings of anxiety and depression. At Uncover Mental Health Counseling, we understand these challenges and are here to help ease the burden.
Looking for NYC therapists who take insurance? As an out-of-network provider, we work with most PPO/POS insurance plans. Such plans include Aetna, Cigna, BlueCross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, and other Oxford plans. We can check your benefits and inform you of any out-of-pocket expenses. Contact us today and let us help you navigate the insurance minefield!
What does “out of network” mean?
“Out of network" simply means that we do not have a contract with your insurance company. However, insurance companies are aware that they do not work with every therapist and that their in-network database may not meet the demand for therapy. This means they may not have enough therapists with available appointments to accommodate everyone. Therapists who are contracted with insurance companies and operate as "in-network" providers often have a larger caseload, leading to less individualized attention for each patient and longer wait times, ultimately resulting in a slower healing process. If you are not sure whether your insurance company has out of network benefits, contact us today to find out!
How do I find out if I have out of network benefits?
Reach out to us to verify your out of network benefits! If you wish to verify your out of network benefits on your own, just call the members services line on the back of your insurance card and ask:
- Do I have out of network mental health benefits for outpatient services?
- Does it cover procedure codes 90791 (initial therapy assessment) and 90834 (ongoing therapy sessions)?
- If yes, do I have an out of network deductible? If so, what is my deductible and have I met my deductible yet? If not, how much of my deductible is left?
- Do I have a copayment or coinsurance after that? If so, what is it?
- Do I need a prior authorization for this service to be reimbursed?
How much will therapy cost without health insurance benefits?
At Uncover Mental Health Counseling, we believe in fee transparency – the cost of therapy without any health insurance benefits typically range from $175-425 per session, varying depending on the therapist you choose to work with.
However, many people do have out of network benefits weaved into their insurance plans without their knowledge. Depending on your plan and healthcare spending, your insurance company will reimburse you for your sessions. Usually, insurance companies cover a percentage of your "out of network" costs after you reach your deductible, which is the amount you're expected to pay out of pocket before insurance starts making payments as per the contract. The specific deductible and reimbursement percentage vary from person to person and plan to plan, but generally, insurances reimburse 60%-80% of their reasonable and customary rate after meeting the deductible. It's possible that you've already met your deductible through other healthcare expenses!
Reach out today to check your health insurance benefits!
Does your practice offer a sliding scale/reduced rate for individuals who cannot afford your standard rate?
Regardless of what your coverage looks like, we do believe that cost should not be a barrier to receiving quality mental health care. For current clients, a different fee may be determined together in consideration of any financial hardship. For new clients, we offer an excellent clinical training program that enables us to provide therapy with our clinical interns at a reduced rate (starting at $125) when our standard rate or using insurance is not feasible. Such reduced fees will be re-evaluated every 6 months. We can also offer referrals to our trusted network of low-cost/in-network providers. Don't let cost prevent you from getting the help you need. Contact us to learn more about our options for affordable therapy!
What are the varying rates and differences between a clinical director, senior therapist, associate therapist, advanced clinical intern, and clinical intern?
The various titles held by therapists indicate their years of experience in the field.
- Clinical Director (LMHC): Initial Assessment $425, Future Sessions $375
Clinical directors and supervisors are fully licensed to independently practice and have been in the mental health field for a minimum of 10 years. - Senior Therapists (LMHC): Initial Assessment: $375, Future Sessions: $325
Senior therapists are fully licensed to independently practice and have been practicing in the mental health field for a minimum of 5 years. - Associate Therapist (MHC-LP): Initial Assessment $325, Future Sessions: $275
Associate therapists have a limited permit to practice and have been practicing in the mental health field for a minimum of 3 years. - Advanced Clinical Interns (MHC): Initial Assessment $275, Future Sessions: $225
Advanced clinical interns are typically therapists who are still in their graduate training programs and have been practicing in the mental health field for 1-2 years. - Clinical Interns (MHC): Initial Assessment $225, Future Sessions: $175
Clinical interns are typically therapists who are still in their graduate training programs and starting out in the mental health field.
Rest assured that all our therapists have been trained to the same high standards, and our clinicians are handpicked from the best graduate programs available. So regardless of the therapist's title or length of experience, you can trust that you will receive top-quality care from our team.
Why is there a cost difference between an initial assessment and future sessions?
The initial assessment is more of an involved process. During the initial session, we gain a comprehensive understanding of your presenting concerns and how they affect different aspects of your life. With this knowledge, we develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals.
Subsequent sessions will focus on working towards your therapeutic goals. Our approach involves exploring your patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior to develop greater insight, while equipping you with the necessary tools to achieve your desired outcomes.
What forms of payments do you accept?
We take all major credit/debit cards and FSA/HSA cards. We do not accept cash or checks, unless under special circumstances.
Scheduling & Appointments
When can I expect to hear back?
Once you reach out, you can expect a response within 48 hours from someone on our team. Once you’ve chosen your therapist, we can typically set up an appointment within a week.
How long do I have to be in therapy?
In short, you can stay in therapy for as long as you feel necessary. However, our ultimate goal is to equip you with the necessary tools to enable you to live your best life without our continued support. While most clients experience symptom improvement after a few sessions, the length of therapy ultimately depends on the individual and their unique needs. Deeper work may take longer, but we will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that best supports your goals.
How frequent do I have to have therapy?
We are committed to providing you with exceptional care, with the ultimate goal of empowering you to live your life fully without the need for ongoing therapy. This may involve unpacking old patterns and learning new ways of being. As with any skill, repetition is essential, especially in the beginning of treatment so we do recommend starting off with weekly sessions for 3-6 months to maximize the effectiveness of our work together. We value your time and financial investment and want to ensure that you receive the most out of your therapy experience.
How long are the sessions?
All appointments are about 45 minutes long.
Practice Policies
What is your no show/cancellation/reschedule policy?
A scheduled appointment means we reserve time only for you. If you miss your appointment or cancel with less than 48 hours notice, you will be charged the full session fee. Please understand that your insurance company does not reimburse for missed sessions.
What is the “No Surprise Act” and “Good Faith Estimate?”
Starting January 1, 2022, the No Surprises Act requires healthcare providers to give uninsured or self-paying patients a "good faith estimate" of the expected charges for a service or item before it is received. Patients can request an estimate or receive it after scheduling a service. The estimate should include charges for the primary item or service and any additional items provided during the same experience. The provider must offer an itemized list of each service, explain the estimate, and provide it in an accessible format. For therapy, this means patients will be informed of the self-pay rate and cancellation fee. The Good Faith Estimate is not a contract for service and does not include what your health plan may cover for out of network benefits.
What is your confidentiality policy?
Your therapist will not disclose your personal information without your permission unless required by law. If required by law, your therapist will only disclose the minimum amount of personal information without your permission. Exceptions include communication with other healthcare providers and emergency personnel, reporting inappropriate behavior of another healthcare provider, and disclosing personal information without permission if there is a credible threat of harm to others, immediate risk of harming yourself, or if there is suspicion of abuse or neglect of a minor or elderly person.
What is your complaint policy?
If you are unhappy with therapy, we hope that you will talk with us so that we can respond to your concerns. Such comments will be taken seriously and treated with the utmost care and respect. You are free to request that we refer you to another therapist, and are also free to end therapy with us at any time.