FAQ

I am in-network with the following health insurance plans for individual psychotherapy in Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia:AetnaOptum UnitedHealthcareUnitedHealthcare Shared Services (UHSS)GEHA - UnitedHealthcare Shared Services (UHSS)UnitedHealthcare GlobalUnitedHealthCare Exchange Plans (ONEX)OscarHarvard PilgrimOxfordUHC Student ResourcesUMRAll Savers (UHC)Health Plans IncSurest (Formerly Bind)Kaiser Permanente of the Mid Atlantic (DC and Maryland)

To check your benefits, contact the member services number on the back of your insurance card or log in to your online member portal.When you call, have a pen ready and ask the following:Note the details — Write down the date, time, and name of the representative. This can be helpful if a claim is ever denied in error.Confirm the provider is covered — Ask if the practice with NPI number 1841941697 is in-network on your plan.Ask about your out-of-pocket costs — Request your copay, co-insurance, and deductible amounts for procedure codes 90791 and 90837.Check your deductible status — Ask what your deductible is and how much has already been met.Find out your session limit — Ask how many sessions per year your plan covers, as some plans have an annual maximum.HMO plans only — Ask if preauthorization (also called preapproval or precertification) is required by your plan or primary care physician. If so, this must be completed before your first appointment.

Even if I'm not in-network with your plan, you still have options:FSA & HSA PaymentsI accept FSA and HSA cards, which can be used to cover the cost of sessions directly.Superbill for ReimbursementI can provide a superbill, which is an itemized receipt you submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. With this option, you pay me directly and manage the reimbursement process with your insurer. Please note that reimbursement is not guaranteed, so I strongly recommend contacting your insurance provider beforehand to understand their out-of-network policies.Check Your Out-of-Network Benefits You may be eligible for partial reimbursement through your plan's out-of-network benefits. When you call member services, ask the following:Out-of-network coverage — Does your plan include out-of-network benefits for procedure codes 90791 and 90837?Your costs — If covered, what is your patient portion or reimbursement rate for those procedure codes?Session limits — Is there a maximum number of sessions covered per year?Preauthorization — Is preauthorization (also called preapproval or precertification) required by your plan or primary care physician? If so, this must be completed before your first session to qualify for reimbursement.Document the call — Note the date, time, and name of the representative. This can be invaluable if a claim is ever denied in error.

No, the choice is entirely yours. Many people opt for private payment for different reasons. One key factor is how insurance companies determine coverage—they require a formal diagnosis for payment. However, some individuals prefer to focus on personal goals that are not tied to a specific diagnosis.

Insurance does not cover relationship or couples counseling, as relationship challenges are not considered a mental health diagnosis. In some cases, insurance may provide coverage if the focus is on addressing one partner’s diagnosed mental health condition. However, this approach does not allow for a broader relationship-centered goal. Often, this type of support can be integrated into an individual’s therapy with their own psychotherapist.

Yes, I reserve this time specifically for you, and I often have to turn away others seeking support. To uphold the commitment to therapy, I have a no-show/cancellation policy. I require at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel an appointment. All clients must have a credit card on file. If you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice or do not show up, the session fee—$165 for individual counseling or $250 for relationship/couples counseling—will be charged on the day of the missed session. If you’re facing an ongoing challenge, such as a medical emergency, alternative arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that insurance does not cover no-show fees.

You can read more about this act here: https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises My private pay rates are on my services page. If you use your in-network with health insurance benefit, Alma (my billing company) or myself will run an eligibility check that will provide your out of pocket cost such as your co-pay, deductible, or other expense. I will provide this to you. If you decide to use your out-of-network insurance benefit you will need to pay me directly my private pay rate. I will provide you with a Super Bill (a detailed receipt). You will need to work directly with your insurance company to find out how to get reimbursed and the amount that they will reimburse.

I am licensed to provide services in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia, so clients must be physically located in one of these areas during our sessions. While it may seem arbitrary—especially in regions where you can stand in two states at once—laws strictly enforce this requirement. There is ongoing advocacy for multi-state licensing, but progress has been slow.