If you're searching for a therapist, you've likely asked this question that we hear all the time: "Do you take insurance?" And it makes sense! We all would like to use the benefits we are already paying for if we have insurance. At Restoration Psychology, we're a private pay therapy practice (aka out-of-network with all insurance companies), and we want to explain what that means, why we chose it, and how it can actually benefit you. We will also show you how your insurance might actually still cover part of your care with us.
What “Private Pay Therapy” Means
This means that you pay for sessions directly, and we don't bill your insurance company. In other words, you pay for your sessions fully out-of-pocket. We can provide a superbill (a detailed receipt) that you can personally submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and we accept HSA and FSA cards, so you may be able to pay with pre-tax dollars, if that is a part of your coverage.
How Private Pay Can Benefit You
Care shaped by you, not limited by insurance. You and your therapist get to decide how often to meet and how many sessions are necessary to accomplish your therapeutic goals. When insurance is involved, they often set a limit on the number of sessions they will cover (often only 6-8 sessions) and require a mental health diagnosis for coverage and determining the therapeutic plan. We prefer for this treatment plan to be collaboratively discussed between you and the therapist, rather than pre-determined by an insurance company.
More privacy. With no insurance company directly involved in your care, fewer outside parties are part of your treatment. (If you choose to submit a superbill to your insurer for reimbursement, your insurer will receive the information on that receipt, so it's worth asking them what they require.)
A better fit for couples and family therapy. Insurance coverage is typically built for individual therapy, which doesn't always match what a couple or family system needs most. Private pay therapy allows us to focus on what is most necessary at a given time, whether that is individual or relational therapy.
Less red tape. Fewer authorizations and billing back-and-forth means more of our time and attention as clinicians goes to you. While most in-network doctors’ offices have a billing department devoted to this aspect of your care, that is very difficult to sustain as a small, boutique therapy practice.
Is Private Pay Right for You?
Honestly, it's an investment, and it isn't the right fit for everyone. Before deciding, it helps to ask your insurance company:
- Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
- What percentage is reimbursed, and is there a deductible to meet first?
- Do I have an HSA or FSA I can use?
Many clients find that between reimbursement and HSA/FSA funds, the out-of-pocket cost is lower than they expected.
FAQ
How much are sessions? We have a spectrum of session rates to hopefully make private pay therapy more accessible to you. You can view our fee structure here.
Do you offer reduced rates using a sliding scale? Yes. Upon request, we can provide reduced rates using a sliding scale that is based on your annual household income.
Find Private Pay Therapy in Centennial, CO
If you're in Centennial, CO or the greater Denver metro area and searching for a therapist near me, we'd love to help you figure out whether private pay therapy is a good fit for you. Contact us today to learn more about our practice and get some guidance as you determine your best next step. You can also read our guide to individual vs. couples therapy to see which approach fits your current needs.