Fees
We accept most major credit cards and debit cards. Your card will be saved securely using a HIPAA-complaint service. You have the option to enroll in auto-pay (in which your card will be charged at the end of the business day.) Checks and cash welcome. (Ask about a cash discount!)
We can also accept Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards and can provide a record of payment for flexible spending account reimbursement.
Payment is expected at the time of service.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Individual Counseling | |
| Individual Session, 45–50 minutes | $210 |
| Individual Session, 75–80 minutes | $315 |
| Relationship or Family Therapy | |
| Relationship or Family Session, 45–50 minutes | $250 |
| Relationship or Family Session, 75–80 minutes*Suggested for 1st session | $375 |
| Other Services | |
| Supervision, 60 minutes | inquire |
| Case Management, Consultation, Letter or Non-Court-Related Report Writingper 15 minutes | $80 |
| Expert Testimony and other Court-Related Services | inquire |
In Network Insurance
I am not-in network for any insurance. While I used to be in network with Cigna, I have since left their panel.
I am happy to accept flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health spending account (HSA) cards as well as provide receipts for reimbursement.
If you have an HMO or an insurance such as Kaiser, TriCare or MediCal, they will NOT cover my services, and you would have to pay out of pocket or with an HSA/FSA card. Some clients have insurance benefits, but still prefer to pay personally. Some of the benefits of paying privately include more privacy, no need for a diagnosis or “label,” and more control over your treatment.
Out of Network Insurance
If you have a PPO, as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I may be able to be an “out of network” provider. I still request full payment at the time of service, but provide you with a monthly, detailed record of payment (or “super bill”) on the 1st of every month that you can submit for reimbursement. How much different insurance providers cover varies widely. If you are interested in using Out of Network benefits for PPO plans, I recommend calling them, and asking:
- “Do I have Out of Network coverage for psychotherapy?”
- “How much of a $210 fee would you cover?”
- “Do I have to meet a deductible before you start covering for Out of Network?”
- “Is my issue an allowable diagnosis/reason for therapy?”
Keep in mind that submitting a super bill for reimbursement may grant the insurance company the right to access your records and limit the number of sessions you attend.
Single Case Agreements
Occasionally you may be able to have your insurance cover my fees if we can come to a single case agreement. Be sure to gather a little bit of research, for example, if you cannot find another specialist for your topic (such as perinatal grief or trauma, etc) or if you cannot find someone in network that has the same advanced training (such as in Clinical Hypnosis or Brainspotting.) I cannot guarantee your insurance company will approve it, but I am happy to guide you through some steps to request it.
Sliding Scale
At times I am able to temporarily adjust my fee. However, I reserve this for established clients going through a major life transition. I encourage prospective clients to consider starting somewhere that will be sustainable for them.
No Show/Late Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please let me know 24 hours before your appointment time. I have found that this is the amount of notice that is needed to refill the time slot I reserved for you. In case of a missed appointment or late cancellation, the full appointment fee will be charged. I will ask for a credit card in order to reserve your first appointment. Your card will not be charged until the time of your appointment. Please ask if a different time the same day is available – often I can accommodate. I am also happy to change location, such as from office to telehealth, if that helps your availability.
Fees are Subject to Change
Fees are subject to change. Many times I am able to maintain existing clients at the same rate at which they started, even when raising rates for new clients. In the rare times when operating expenses necessitate raising rates for existing clients, notice will be provided at least 60 days before your rate is increased. I try to keep my rates slightly below what is customary for specialists with my years of experience and advanced training.
Good Faith Estimates
Self-pay clients are entitled to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of the total yearly cost of therapy upon request. Simply ask at the time of scheduling, or at any point during your treatment, and I will prepare one for you.
Although Good Faith Estimates were originally intended for hospitals and preventing surprise charges on bills, private pay outpatient therapy is included in the law. I appreciate the spirit. For me, this is aligned with transparent pricing, your agency in controlling the frequency and intensity of therapy, and the fact that I will never try to keep you dependent in therapy longer than you need to. I am trained in strategic, short term therapy and want to get you feeling better FAST. My goal is always to work myself out of a client!
Abby BurdThe Good Faith Estimate is not a contract and does not require the uninsured (or self-pay) individual to obtain the items or services from any of the providers or facilities identified in the Good Faith Estimate. Read more about the law below:
It lets you the consumer know that there may be additional items or services the convening provider or convening facility recommends as part of the course of care that must be scheduled or requested separately. If you are billed for more than a Good Faith Estimate, you may have the right to dispute the bill. You may contact the health care provider or facility listed to let them know the billed charges are higher than the Good Faith Estimate. You can ask them to update the bill to match the Good Faith Estimate, ask to negotiate the bill, or ask if there is financial assistance available.
If you do receive a bill that is $400 or more, you may also start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If you choose to use the dispute resolution process, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days (about 4 months) of the date on the original bill. The initiation of this process will not adversely affect the quality of health care services furnished to an uninsured (or self-pay) individual by a provider or facility.
If you dispute your bill, the provider or facility cannot move the bill for the disputed item or service into collection or threaten to do so, or if the bill has already moved into collection, the provider or facility has to cease collection efforts. The provider or facility must also suspend the accrual of any late fees on unpaid bill amounts until after the dispute resolution process has concluded. The provider or facility cannot take or threaten to take any retributive action against you for disputing your bill.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, the dispute resolution process, or to get a form to start the dispute resolution process, visit: www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers, email: FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov, or call: 1-800-985- 3059.