Rates

20-minute phone consultation for prospective clients: Free

Initial intake session (90 minutes): $200

Individual psychotherapy session (50 minutes): $120

Payment

Payment will be collected at the time of service. Accepted forms of payment include credit card, debit card, Health Savings Account (HSA), or Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

While I do accept United Healthcare, Medica, and HSA Payments, other insurance companies may offer reimbursement for services obtained from an “out-of-network” provider. I encourage you to check with your insurance company to verify eligibility for this benefit.

Some helpful questions to ask include:

• Do I have “out-of-network” benefits; and if so, do these cover outpatient mental health services?
• What is my “out-of-network” deductible, and has it been met?
• Is “prior authorization” required in order to receive reimbursement?
• Is there a limit on how many sessions can be reimbursed each year?
• Will you reimburse for telehealth visits?

For your convenience, please see the member service numbers for some of the major health insurance companies below:

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota: 800-382-2000
• CIGNA: 800-244-6224 (insurance through work); 866-494-2111 (insurance directly or through the Exchange)
• HealthPartners: 800-883-2177
• Medica: 800-952-3455
• PreferredOne: 763-847-4477 (in the Twin Cities); 800-997-1750 (outside the metro area)
• United Healthcare: 877-842-3210

If you have “out-of-network” benefits and would like to request reimbursement for these services from your insurer, I will prepare something called a “superbill” for you. A superbill is a detailed invoice outlining the services you received, which you may then submit to your insurer for the possibility of reimbursement.

Please be advised that I cannot guarantee reimbursement from your insurance provider, and you retain full responsibility for the payment of services at the time it is due.

Why Private Pay?

While there are some advantages to contracting with insurance companies, there are also significant disadvantages that have influenced my decision to accept only private pay at this time.

First, contracting with insurance companies gives them much of the power in deciding what services will be covered, and how long those services should last. Furthermore, insurance companies will only pay for services that they consider are “clinically necessary,” and may even deny payment for “preventive services” or those provided with the goal of improving your overall quality of life. Taken together, these stipulations can substantially limit our flexibility in deciding which services will best suit your needs.

Additionally, contracting with insurance companies may carry some risk with regard to privacy. While health insurance companies must abide by HIPAA privacy standards, they have access to much of your private health information, which may include assessments, diagnoses, progress notes, or other mental health treatment information.

In short, by choosing not to contract with insurance companies, we’ll have a lot more freedom to decide together how you’d like to use this time to achieve your mental health goals, whatever they may be. We’ll also be better able to protect your private health information by limiting how much and with whom it is shared.

“No Surprises Act/Good Faith Estimate”

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.

Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises

Cancellations/Late Arrivals

When you schedule an appointment with me, that time is set aside just for you. While I understand that things come up and there may be times that you need to cancel, I request at least 24 hours notice in advance of your scheduled appointment time. You may call 320-200-4190 to cancel your appointment, or send an e-mail to britt@northpointmn.com.

Missed appointments (i.e. “no-shows”) or appointments canceled with less than 24 hours notice will be charged at 50% of the full session fee (please note that most insurance companies will not reimburse for no-show or late cancel appointments). All sessions are allotted a specific time; therefore, I am unable to extend that time for late arrivals. Please be advised that late arrivals will end at the scheduled time, and will be billed the full 50-minute session fee.