Benefits of Paying for Psychotherapy Services Out-of-Pocket
So, you finally did it. You scheduled your psychotherapy session. You made the first step which is to choose your psychotherapist wisely. You are hopeful this is the right clinician for you. To get the most out of your psychotherapy session, ensure that you handle the business side of psychotherapy first. Yes. Psychotherapy is a business as well as a helping profession. Please consider how you would like to pay for your psychotherapy services. Receiving psychotherapy services, like any service, cost money.
Everything you say to me is between you, and I
If you prefer to pay for services out-of-pocket, you agree to pay with your own money, whether or not it is reimbursed. Often seeing a self-pay therapist is more private and confidential. Because you cut out the middle man (an insurance company), there is no need for a psychotherapist/clinician to provide any information, such as your medical diagnosis, type of session(s) you had, or any additional records like progress notes. Because a clinician is not billing an insurance company for services, any relevant information related to psychotherapy services provided to you is solely with the clinician or psychotherapy practice.
No need for a diagnosis
Did you know that some insurance companies don’t cover certain psychotherapy services? One of the most requested forms of psychotherapy services is couples psychotherapy services. Umm.. there is no diagnostic psychotherapy code for psychotherapy services. This presents a barrier in certain circumstances when working with a clinician accepting your in-network mental benefits. One of the members of the couple has to take on financial responsibility, limitation on privacy, or burdensome paperwork related to using mental health insurance benefits. This may stress the relationship with non-married couples who must choose who will take the risk. Not everyone wants to have an on-the-record “diagnosis.” As an out-of-pocket psychotherapy client, a diagnosis is not necessary.
The payment process is straightforward.
Although your reason for being an out-of-pocket psychotherapy treatment client is your own, one last benefit is that paying the fee for a service is simple. For example, in the recently enacted No Surprises Act, medical care treatment provided by out-of-network providers/clinicians must be clearly stated and with an estimation of cost to ensure patients do not get surprise bills. Mental health insurance benefits may need to be clarified to many people. Avoiding it allows you to give yourself a gift of straightforward payment. When you go to a restaurant, you get a menu with the cost of the item chosen. After eating, you get the check and pay the bill—the same with out-of-pocket services. You agree to the contract of the clinician’s service, and then you pay the agreed-upon fee. It can’t get any simpler. With insurance, you must be well versed in deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, adjusted rate, amount the insurance with pay, etc.
Focus on you
The most important benefit of paying out of pocket is that you get to focus on yourself, and so does your psychotherapist.
