My Advice:
Pick a psychologist who does NOT "take" your insurance.
Why should you
do that? Because it can save you money and
get you better results in the long run.
In psychological
terms, a statement like that is what's called
counter-intuitive. In other words, you might assume
that the opposite is true. Or, putting it differently, I
had better explain this or you’ll think I’m making no sense!
Paradoxically,
it makes a lot of sense. The reason is simple. When your
out-of-pocket share (see
practice info) of the bill is greater, it means I have
to prove myself more quickly and provide recognizable
results in addressing your important issues. That really
sharpens my motivation and incentive, since I have to merit
being an out-of-plan psychologist.
On the other
hand, a psychologist who is in-plan is less pressed for
results. This can lead to simply "running out the clock"
and using up the client's benefit allotment. That could
stretch out the time before you receive a treatment benefit
(if it comes) and that can end up costing you more in
co-pays. It also takes up a lot more of your
valuable time.
This treatment
paradox is exactly why I decided long ago not to become a
member of the insurance plans. I realized that, by being an
independent but licensed practitioner, I could be beholden
strictly to my clients and address their needs most
expeditiously. I would bill insurance companies
out-of-plan, but I wouldn't have to kowtow to an insurance
company limiting your treatment. Plan-member practitioners
do, or they face being kicked out of the plan. I just
couldn't see how I could coach people in bravely confronting
crucial issues in their lives if I had to play it safe with
the insurance companies to save my practice.
My gamble in
staying independent paid off, and my practice remains full.
In fact, taking my stand has only pushed me to higher
standards. People choose my services because of the unusual
benefit of my practice style.
I often hear
from new clients that I get much more done in every session
than they had expected or even imagined before they met me.
People frequently discover that they can see me a lot less
than they thought would be necessary. If you clearly can
benefit from more sessions than your insurance company wants
to dictate, I can fight for those sessions without fear of
being tossed out of the plan. I'll be working on your side,
for your issues, all the way.
Here's the bottom line for you:
Since overcoming
the pain of being personally stuck and achieving the joy of
life-progress are the most important factors, choosing
out-of-plan becomes a win-win situation for the people who
see me. You
can truly save money and get better results in the
long run.
Candidly, the
most motivated and intelligent people of those who find me
seem to come to the same conclusion that I have: “You have
to be pretty good to be able to be busy and not ‘take’
insurance.” It is thrilling for me to be able to work with
these kinds of people. You may be one of them.
Please
click HERE
for additional information on practice orientation.
Please
click HERE for directions,
address, and phone number.