VERBAL CONFIRMATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL INTAKE APPOINTMENTS.
A. Reminder calls are completed one week in advance. If verbal confirmation is not received a minimum of two business days prior to the appointment, THE APPOINTMENT WILL BE CANCELLED.
B. If first-time appointments with a provider are scheduled within a week of the appointment, this is confirmation of your appointment. No further action to confirm is needed.
C. If needing to reschedule your first-time appointment, we require a 2-business day notice in order to reschedule. The ability to reschedule an appointment that was late-cancelled will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
D. If a current client of Choices cancels in less than 2-business days or no-shows an intake appointment, you will be charged per the Billing/Payment Policy signed at the time of initial services.
No, you may refer yourself to see a provider at Choices. Generally, a formal referral is not needed as most health insurance plans allow you to make an appointment with one of their providers. You may wish to call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card to make sure the provider you are considering is in-network. Choices therapists and doctors are affiliated with most insurance companies.
Follow the link: How to prepare for your first visit and follow the easy steps to set up your first appointment.
Yes. Feel free to read the biographical sketches (link to providers) of our therapists and consider who you sense may best meet your needs. You may request to be seen by this person, yet may be assigned to another person if they are full or are not covered by your insurance. We take special care to listen and consider your requests.
It depends. Each client’s situation is carefully considered on an individual basis to determine if the Choices’ psychiatric team will be able to meet the client’s needs.
Yes, you may request another therapist or to discontinue therapy.
As soon as possible call Choices at (952) 544-6806 and report this to the administrative staff. They will gladly work together with you to resolve the problem.
Phones are answered 8am-430pm Monday-Thursday and 8am-4pm on Fridays. If you call and all our lines are busy, please leave a message on our confidential voice mail and we will call you back as soon as possible.
Although we prefer that you complete the electronic web-based forms at home prior your first session we realize this is not always possible. We request that you arrive 30 minutes prior to your session so you may complete them electronically in our lobby.
There is no set time for the length of therapy as this depends upon the client’s needs and presenting issues. On an average, clients may see a therapist 10-20 times (some more, some less) and this is determined primarily by the client’s diagnosis and their individual needs. At any time, clients reserve the right to end therapy, yet this is generally a decision agreed upon by both client and therapist when therapy goals have been successfully attained.
Most psychotherapy sessions last from 45 to 55 minutes. The length of a session is determined by client need and allowed time based on insurance coverage.
Generally, therapy begins on a weekly basis (more frequently if medically/clinically necessary) and as progress is made sessions will be reduced to a less frequent basis. This is something to be determined by you and your therapist in reviewing your specific situation and therapy goals.
Your therapist will gather personal information and history from you including, why you are seeking therapy. Given their professional training and expertise, they will assess your symptoms and identify a diagnosis, which is, required for the billing of services. Generally, the clarification or “naming “ of a diagnosis helps clients find direction and assists in providing a roadmap for the course of therapy.
At the second or third session, your therapist will discuss your diagnosis and collaborate with you to determine your goals for therapy. This document is called a treatment plan and offers direction for therapy sessions. It is a requirement of all insurance companies.
Most insurance companies provide for coverage of mental health therapy if it is deemed medically necessary by a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider. Every insurance company is different, and therefore, benefits are checked prior to the first appointment to determine coverage and client responsibility.
Choices psychotherapy submits invoices to your insurance company electronically through a HIPAA compliant program. Upon receiving a remittance advice from your insurance company after your services have been processed, clients will then be asked to pay either a deductible or coinsurance if required by their insurance. Co-pays are collected prior to every session and account balances are due upon receipt of a statement.
Choices Psychotherapy has a published rate of $175 for psychotherapy sessions with a mental health therapist. The published rate for Psychiatry is $175 per half hour and $350 per hour. Effective July 1st, 2017 the fees for Psychiatry will increase to $200 for a half hour and $400 per hour.
All insurance companies reimburse at their own rate and typically it is less than our published rate. The difference is adjusted off and not passed on to the client. The only amounts passed on to the client would be a coinsurance or a deductible as determined by the individual insurance company. All clients regardless of insurance receive an explanation of benefits once a date of service has been processed and paid by the insurance company. This explanation of benefits details the breakdown of fees charged and what was paid.
If you lose your insurance coverage all therapy sessions will be cancelled until you can show proof of insurance. Clients always have the option of cash pay, due at the time of service. It is a client’s responsibility to maintain insurance and notify the administrative team at choices psychotherapy of any changes.
Your clinical records are created and stored confidentially and electronically in a HIPAA compliant web-based program. This means that no one else has access to your records unless you sign an “Authorization for Release of Information”. We may ask you to sign a release between your primary care physician (PCP), psychiatrist, or other pertinent people you deem important so we may provide you with integrated/collaborative care. The only exception to this rule would be a situation in which the therapist is mandated to report. (see our Informed Consent).
All cancellations must be done with a 48-hour notice regardless of insurance. With regard to commercial insurance and self-pay clients, if this 48-hour requirement is not met, fees will be assessed. For clients on Medicaid or a PMAP, no fees can be assessed, however, you may be put on a same-day scheduling basis. If a client is able to reschedule the missed appointment within the same week, fees will not be assessed. Insurance companies do not pay for missed appointments. Other instances of this fee being waived require a therapist’s recommendation due to client extenuating circumstances (illness, weather).
Read What to expect at your first visit.