What to Expect
Phone Consultation
The phone consultation is the first step for anyone considering doing therapy with me. For this work, fit is important between clinician and client. The phone consultation allows you and I to determine the likelihood that your needs can be met through this experience. We can examine what you want from therapy and how I approach this work, as well as getting a sense of how we connect, to determine if your goals can be achievable working with me.
**30-45 minutes of free phone consultation
**what you want to work on
** what you think is getting in your way
** how I work in general, and might approach your concerns
**questions you have
**general overview of important guidelines and
administrative procedures
Session Policies
Once you've decided to enter counseling with me, we will set up an initial appointment to get started on our work. All sessions are done over a telehealth platform and last for a 50–60-minute time frame. It is usually a good idea to start off meeting weekly, however longer spacing of sessions can be very appropriate to allow you to do more work on your own. Partial sessions lasting 30 minutes are offered to those who’ve been working on something and need to check progress. Cancelations require at least 24 hours notice to avoid a fee, unless due to a crisis or unforeseen conflict.
The Client Portal
InVision Counseling Services, LLC uses a digital clinical management system, called TherapyNotes. TherapyNotes is a HIPAA-compliant electronic health and medical records system that manages basic client information, required forms, payment and insurance information, and the appointment schedule, and access to our telehealth sessions. All who become clients of InVision Counseling Services, LLC will be assigned your own password-protected client portal into this system.
Since all sessions will be conducted through telehealth, this portal will be a key mode of communication. It has a Message feature that will allow an additional way to communicate with me. Any information that is clinically or financially sensitive will be transmitted through your portal. Another convenience feature is that you can opt to receive an email or text notification from “Therapy Portal”. This notification prompts you to open your portal to see what is there for you to do, or to remind you of our session. Keep in mind that there may be technical matters that prevent an appointment notification from arriving in a timely manner, so it’s important to also keep your own record of appointments.
Payment Information
All fees are due at each session. Your preferred methods of payment will be collected and saved within TherapyNotes so charges can be processed automatically. Payment can be made by FSA/HSA accounts or bank issued debit or credit cards.
**Full session - $165
**Partial session - $85
**No show/late cancellation - $85
Clients can decide on self-pay or to use their insurance policy to cover as much of their fees as possible, paying any remainder assigned by your insurance plan through the TherapyNotes’ system.
Use of Health Insurance: TherapyNotes’ system can send claims to your insurance company on your behalf and insurance payment is made directly to InVision Counseling Services, LLC. You will receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance company when claims are processed. Any receipts or statements generated by TherapyNotes that include what insurance paid and what was paid by you will be saved in your portal. It is important to clear any charges you have, that includes having enough in your financial account and having a valid and non-expired card on file. Accruing a balance is not only problematic for me, but it can be stressful for you and tends to create a negative impact on the relationship and therefore the quality of the work we can do. If this situation arises, it is important for us to discuss it openly so we can reach a suitable solution together.
I accept the following insurance plans:
**Aetna
**Carefirst/Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maryland
**Cigna
**United Healthcare
When using insurance to cover the cost of services, you will need to comply with your insurance company's guidelines. Clients are responsible for knowing your policy guidelines and limits. It is particularly important that you are informed about your insurance plan and whether or not you have to pay a copay (set amount per service), a coinsurance (a percentage of the allowed session fee), or deductible balance (the amount insurance requires you to pay out-of-pocket and in full before they will cover all or part of your charges). Keep in mind that for any late cancellation or no shows, you will be charged, as insurance doesn’t cover missed appointments.
Good Faith Estimate
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” that explains how much your health care will cost.
Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to provide a “Good Faith Estimate”, orally and in writing. This law applies to all individuals who are not enrolled in a health insurance plan or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their health insurance plan or program. You have the right to receive the Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services after scheduling health care items and services, and at least 1 business day before receiving your health care service or item. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your rights regarding the Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call CMS at 1-800-985-3059.