Question 1

Do you take my insurance?

Accepted Answer

Guided Growth Counseling is not in network with any insurance providers and is considered a private-pay or out of network provider. Although we do not accept insurance, will happily provide you with an invoice to submit to your insurance for reimbursement. Payment can be made in the form of credit card or HSA/FSA accounts. Verification of appropriate HSA coverage is the responsibility of the client. Payment is due at the time of service.

If you're unsure of what options you have, give your insurance company a quick call and ask about "out-of-network" mental health providers. Please note, there is no guarantee that your insurance company will reimburse you for any payments you make.
Here are some questions you could ask your insurance company:
“Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?”
“What company manages my mental health benefits?”
“Is there an out-of-network deductible? What is it?”
“What percentage of the cost is covered once my deductible is met?

Question 2

Why don't you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

We prefer to remain out-of-network, or self-pay providers, because it allows our counseling processes to be guided only by what is best for you as the client. We’re happy to provide superbills to submit for out of network benefits. Before using your insurance benefits, we encourage you to investigate all of your options. A few perks can be found below.

Perks of Paying out of Pocket
Confidentiality | You and your counselor are the only ones who will know the details of you and your therapy. Outside of legal limitations to confidentiality, nobody else has access to your chart, including insurance companies, their employees and anyone else involved in processing your claim. Confidentiality is foundational to the therapeutic relationship. When you use insurance to pay for therapy, your therapist may be required to provide your diagnosis and, in some cases, treatment notes to your insurance company. This undermines a basic premise of therapy and can give people outside of you and your therapist access to your private health information.  For example, future applications for life or health insurance, future applications for security clearance, and legal proceedings are a few of the ways this information can be used.  Additionally, if you utilize insurance through your employer, there are some situations where your employer will have access to your decision to seek mental health treatment.

Diagnosis | Most insurance companies require you to have a diagnosis. You may not need one! Although we are licensed to diagnose when needed, we also understand not everyone seeking counseling services warrants a diagnosis. When using insurance for mental health services, most insurance companies require a mental illness diagnosis in order to cover the services provided. However, many of the life events and reasons people seek therapy do not meet the criteria for a diagnosable disorder; they’re going through a season of transition and simply need a counselor to come alongside them.

Flexibility | By using self-pay, you won't have any limits on what your therapy should look like. You have more influence on the focus, duration and frequency of therapy. It is common to have insurance-driven treatment planning when using insurance for mental health services. For example, insurance companies often mandate the number of sessions that will be covered in treatment, and at times even the treatment methods to be used in therapy. We believe counseling is collaborative between the client and counselor, and bringing insurance companies into this relationship can be detrimental to the growth and healing process.

Responsibility | Research shows that clients who self-pay tend to yield more positive outcomes. If you're paying out-of-pocket, you have a bit more motivation and incentive to make the most of therapy.

Question 3

What are Good Faith Estimates?

Accepted Answer

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your health care will cost.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for health care items and services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call our office at (513) 201-5830.

Frequently asked questions

Do you take my insurance?

Why don't you take insurance?

What are Good Faith Estimates?