the-2023-registration-form.pdf
Treatment specialization includes:
- Family Counseling
- Chronic Health Issues including Infertility
- Depression and Anxiety
- Women's Issues
- Mood and Personality Disorders
- Dual Diagnosis
- Sessions are 55- 60 minutes.
- Van Pelt Counseling Center participates in several insurance plans. Payment, co-pays and/or co-insurance and deductible are expected at the time of service.
- Please check with your insurance for Out-of-Network benefits. At your request you may be provided with a Superbill to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
- Reduced fee services are available on a limited basis.
- Cancellation Policy: Requires a 24 hour notice to cancel. There will be a $50 charge for less than a 24 hour notice. The full session fee is charged if you do not show for your reserved appointment.
Insurance Plans:
- Cigna
- Magellan Health
- Optum Behavioral Health
- United Healthcare
- Blue Cross Blue Shield -TN
- Aetna
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
Yes. Van Pelt Counseling Center does take a limited number of insurance plans. You will need to contact your insurance company to determine your in and out-of-network benefits. You may be provided with a superbill to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement under out-of-network benefits. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand your insurance plan. Helpful questions to ask:
- What are my mental health benefits, deductibles and/or co-pay?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session and how many covered therapy sessions are covered per year?
- How much am I reimbursed if I use an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
- How much is my deductible and has it been met?
Many factors need to be considered. Before scheduling a therapy session, be sure to contact your insurance company to verify your coverage and the portion that is your responsibility. Always verify that deductible! Remember they pay nothing until you have met your deductible.
Many chose not to utilize their insurance plan. Why?
There are benefits to being private pay versus utilizing your plan coverage.
Insurance companies require an actual diagnosis to confirm medical necessity. This is how your insurance determines that they will cover the costs, along with your specific co-pays, co-insurance, or deductibles. They may also request certain information such as the reason for requesting services. The information in my documentation for you regarding each appointment becomes part of your health record. The insurance company also reserves the right to audit files to ensure continued necessity for services. You have the right to decline to use your insurance and be a private pay patient to avoid sharing your private information with your insurance company.
Do I need a diagnosis? If you plan to use your insurance you do.
It is required by your insurance company in order for them to contribute to the bill. Not everyone meets the qualifying diagnosis criteria; some simply want to improve certain areas of their daily life. The insurance company will also provide you with a list of therapists to choose from. Couples counseling must be in the context of treating the identified patient, who has a diagnosis, in order to meet medical necessity. If there is not diagnosis, couples counseling will not be billed to insurance and will be private pay only.
Most insurance companies have contracts with healthcare providers known as in-network. Some may not offer out-of-network benefits if you want to choose your own therapist. Insurance companies usually reimburse you at a lower rate when using out-of-network benefits if you choose to see an out-of-network provider, and you still must meet your required deductible.
What is covered? That depends.
Many insurance companies reserve the right to limit the number of sessions they will pay for in a calendar year or the type of therapy you may participate in. As private pay, you and your therapist will determine your course of treatment.
Choose wisely.
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Dr. Tracy Crudup is also a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed Mediator for
Family Law issues.