Insurance & Payment Options

Many clients choose to invest in psychotherapy without using insurance. While insurance can help reduce the cost of treatment, it's important to understand how using insurance may affect your care and privacy.

Using Insurance

Insurance companies generally require that psychotherapy be considered medically necessary in order to provide coverage. This means you must have a diagnosable mental health condition, and your treatment must meet your insurance company's criteria for reimbursement.

In addition, insurance companies may require information about your treatment to process claims, including:

• A mental health diagnosis

• Dates of service

• Procedure codes

• In some cases, additional clinical documentation

Many clients prefer not to use insurance because paying privately allows them to maintain greater control over the privacy of their mental health information.

Outside of insurance requirements, everything discussed in therapy remains confidential except when disclosure is required by law, including:

• Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or vulnerable adult

• Serious risk of harm to yourself or another person

• Other legal exceptions required under state or federal law

Please note that couples therapy and group therapy are not covered by insurance and are self-pay services.

HSA & FSA Payments

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are accepted.

These accounts allow you to pay for psychotherapy using pre-tax dollars while maintaining the privacy of self-pay treatment. Using HSA or FSA funds does not require clinical information to be submitted to your insurance company.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Dr. Shelley is an in-network provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield.

If you have Blue Cross Blue Shield, your sessions may be covered according to your specific mental health benefits. You are responsible for any applicable copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, or non-covered services. Because coverage varies by plan, we encourage you to verify your benefits with your insurance company before your first appointment.

Dr. Shelley is not in-network with any other insurance plans.

Questions?

If you have questions about insurance coverage, payment options, or confidentiality, please don't hesitate to contact the office.