I am credentialed with most major insurance, and employee assistance (EAP) companies including:
AETAN
BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD
CIGNA
HUMANA
TRICARE
UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
To make sure that my services will be covered by your policy you can call the toll free number on the back of your insurance card and ask the representative if I am considered "in-network" for your policy.
Before Using Insurance
It is important to carefully consider all the terms of your insurance policy before deciding to use insurance to pay for counseling services.
Escalation of the cost of health care has resulted in increasingly restrictive rules about insurance benefits. Insurance companies are more and more oriented toward short-term approaches designed to resolve only specific problems that directly interfere with daily functioning.
Most companies require you to obtain advanced authorization, and give permission to release information such as dates, times and types of services, diagnostic labels, problem descriptions, treatment plans, session notes, and progress summaries.
Even when these conditions are met, payment may be denied. The company might decide that the services were not necessary or not covered by your policy.
It is also important to understand that use of insurance benefits includes the assignment of a mental health diagnosis. While considered confidential Protected Health Information (PHI), assignment of such a diagnosis can interfere with your ability to obtain other types of insurance. It can also negatively impact your eligibility for certain types of employment. You would, for instance, be required to check “yes” on an application that asks if you have ever been treated for a mental disorder.
To fully understand the consequences of using your insurance benefits speak with your Human Resources Department or call the phone number on the back of your insurance card. You should ask the following questions:
Do I have mental health benefits?
What are the terms for "in-network" or "out-of-network" providers?
What is my deductible, and how much has been met?
What is my co-pay or cost share for each session?
Is authorization required before receiving services?
Is there a limit to the number of sessions my plan allows?