How to Pay for Therapy
Information about Payments
Let's Talk about Benefits
Paying for Therapy
At Let’s Talk we are committed to providing all of our clients with the highest quality mental health and wellness services, whether as an individual, couple, or group.
One of the most common questions about therapy is how to pay for it. At Let’s Talk we are a self-pay or private pay practice. What that means is you will pay for services at the time the service is held.
Our rates for individual, couples, and group therapy services reflect New York City’s rates for therapy services. One of the benefits of a private pay or self-pay practice is that we can also offer sliding scale rates for those who are not able to afford the full fee.
Most of our therapists are also in-network with Aetna, and some of our therapists are in the Lyra Health network.
There are three ways you can pay for sessions:
- The first is to use your in-network benefits with Aetna
- The second is using any major credit card.
- The third is using your flexible spending account or health saving account, also called FSA and HSA cards.
If you would like you can also use your out-of-network insurance benefits to cover the cost of therapy session.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are your forms of payment?
Psychotherapy is an important investment in your health. We offer a complimentary phone call to discuss your needs, goals for therapy and your preferences. You can pay for our sessions with checks, debit cards, credit cards, flexible spending accounts (FSA), and health savings accounts (HSA).
Do you accept insurance?
We are out-of-network providers with all insurance companies.
If you have out-of-network benefits for mental health or behavioral health services, your insurance plan may cover part of your visits once you meet your deductible. Your insurance company might reimburse a percentage of the treatment cost, depending on your coverage. Most PPO and EPO plans have out-of-network benefits and typically cover anywhere between 50% and 80% of the cost of each session after you meet a deductible.
What are out-of-network benefits?
Out-of-network benefits refer to coverage for health services or providers that do not have a contract with your insurance company. These benefits expand the pool of therapists to choose from instead of restricting your search to in-network clinicians only—which is helpful when looking for a provider with a particular specialty or approach.
Your out-of-network benefits typically activate once you have met your deductible. To opt for reimbursement, you must pay the total cost of the session at the time of each session and file a claim with your insurance company (we can also file it for you if needed). Insurance providers may then reimburse a percentage of what they deem as the “reasonable rate” for that service (usually 50-80% of the cost of each session after you have met your deductible).
For example, if your insurance reimbursement rate is 60%, they will reimburse 60% of the reasonable rate per service after you meet your deductible.
Why see an out-of-network therapist?
Out-of-network therapists are not limited by the services authorized by insurance companies, allowing us to prepare a more flexible and personalized treatment plan adapted to your needs. We might be able to offer longer and more frequent sessions or treatment over a more extended period of time compared to in-network providers.
As out-of-network therapists, we are also not required to share information about your sessions with insurance companies, keeping your mental health records confidential. If you opt to have your sessions reimbursed by insurance, even if out-of-network, you are consenting to have your provider share your health information with your insurance company, including a diagnosis.
How do I know if I have out-of-network benefits?
We can check your out-of-network benefits coverage for you. We also recommend you contact your insurance company to verify if you have out-of-network benefits and confirm your coverage details.
Call the member services number on your insurance card and ask the following questions:
- Do I have out-of-network benefits for mental health/behavioral health services? If yes, what are they?
- Do I have to meet a deductible for out-of-network mental health/behavioral health benefits before I’m reimbursed?
- How much is my deductible, and have I met it this year?
- What is the reimbursement rate (%) for mental health/behavioral health services?
- Will my plan cover teletherapy as an out-of-network service?
During the call, your insurance company may ask for the CPT codes your provider will use, including:
- An intake session (billing code 90791)
- A 45-minute session follow-up session (billing code 90834)
- A 60-minute follow-up session (billing code 90837)
- A family therapy session (billing code 90847)
We will give you all the documentation needed to seek reimbursement from your insurance company. If desired, we can file the claim for you as well. Your insurance provider may then reimburse you directly according to your out-of-network coverage.
What if I don’t have out-of-network coverage?
If your insurance plan doesn’t include out-of-network coverage, your insurance company will not reimburse you for your visits.
Remember that you can use your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to pay for our services.
All our clinicians have a sliding scale, so please inquire about that if needed.
Yet, if we are not the right financial fit for you, we can refer you to another mental health provider.
Good faith estimate notice
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.
Under the law, healthcare providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or are not using insurance an estimate of their bill for healthcare items and services before they are rendered.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services, including therapy services.
Make sure your healthcare provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least one business day before your healthcare service or item. You can also ask your healthcare provider for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service or at any time during treatment.
If you receive a bill of 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 more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Additional questions? Contact Us!
Contact us if you have further questions about our rates, payment process, or insurance coverage.
We are happy to assist you!
Call us or text us at 917-283-0738
