In the past, medical care was provided according to each patient’s specific needs.  Patients and physicians worked together, perhaps with the input of family members or specialists, in an attempt to provide appropriate, personalized care.  Patients took comfort in the fact that their doctor knew them, and had their best interests at heart.

 

Modern medical practice suffers from oversight by ever-expanding bureaucracies.  Treatment decisions are influenced by the decisions of insurance reviewers, who may not have an understanding of the issues involved, and who are rewarded for their ability to say ‘no’.  Mental health care is singled out by coverage limits that are a fraction of the coverage provided for other illnesses.  Referrals for medication or for psychotherapy often require the approval of distant third parties. Many managed care organizations and insurance companies require detailed information on the psychiatric histories of patients as a condition of payment. This often extends to demanding highly personal information on the content and progress of medication treatment and/or psychotherapy. Such requirements are a serious breach of the traditional private and confidential relationship between patient and psychiatrist.

 

While I recognize the economic realities of the high cost of health care, I do not believe it is appropriate for healthcare decisions to be determined by insurance screeners.  I resist the reimbursement contracts that are based on the concept of care by the lowest bidder, and that result in production pressures that limit the time needed for physicians to truly understand their patients. As a therapist, I also know that safety and confidentiality are vital to the process of psychotherapy, and are critically important to the patients who come to see me for care.

 

My office is very uncomplicated and designed to allow me to spend the great majority of my time in patient care, rather than on the phone or doing paperwork. I do not design care according to managed care programs, and I do not participate in all of the managed care contracts.  I particularly avoid those plans that attempt to limit contact between patients and the specialists of their choosing.  I invite all patients to understand the nature of their insurance plans, including their deductibles, co-payments, and patient-portions of fees.  In many cases the difference in coverage between participating and nonparticipating physicians is minor, particularly in the case of outpatient treatments.  Our office will assist with determinations of benefits and will directly bill insurers for covered services.  But we ask for full payment of fees at the time of service.  Any payments from insurers will be immediately refunded to you or placed on account, according to your preference. 

 

Finally, minor and significant mental illnesses continue to carry an undeserved stigma in society.  Any insurance submission leaves a trail of information through several layers of a health network- an issue avoided by choosing an independent physician.  I do not share patient records or invoices with any other parties unless explicitly authorized by the patient.  Patients should be aware that insurance claims can unfairly contribute to later denials of life or disability policies, and can even raise barriers in some professions.  For that reason, some patients may choose to pay for services outside of their insurance plans.  Discounts are provided for those who are willing to pay bills directly and submit insurance claims on their own.

 

Discounts are available for:

 

-College students

-Patients on disability

-Uninsured patients

-Patients in weekly psychotherapy

-Cash payments

Fees, Confidentiality, and Insurance Coverage