What to Expect

 

Rates & Insurance

Self-Pay

Fees are $265 for an initial diagnostic interview and $225 for a follow-up 55-minute psychotherapy session. A sliding scale is available on a case-by-case basis, based on genuine financial need.

Madison Health Psychology requests that patients keep a credit card on file and sign a consent for automatic billing so that session time is not used to take care of finances. Your credit card information is stored in the secure Electronic Health Record System, SimplePractice. Your card will be charged any copay, deductible, or missed appointment fee following your appointment.

If you do not have insurance coverage, or have coverage but do not plan to seek reimbursement through your insurer, please review the Good Faith Estimate for services.

Insurance

If you wish to use your insurance benefits, please be aware that you are responsible for confirming benefit coverage with your insurance company prior to your first appointment (phone number is typically on the back of your card).  Insurance may cover some or all of your session costs.  Costs that are not covered by your insurance will be your responsibility.  Specifically, you will want to inquire about:

  • Do I have a co-pay and how much is it?

  • Do I need to meet a deductible each year before I can begin to receive reimbursement for sessions?

  • What is my deductible, and have I met it?

  • Do I have coverage for out-of-network providers?

  • If I have coverage for out-of-network providers, what is the rate or percentage of reimbursement?

In-Network

Madison Health Psychology is an in-network provider for Quartz, Dean, and Medicare Part B and will submit claims on your behalf. Madison Health Psychology is not credentialed for Medicare Advantage plans. Please bring your insurance card and your supplemental insurance card to your first appointment.

Out-of-Network

If you have a PPO plan, services may be eligible for full or partial reimbursement as part of "out-of-network" benefits. You will need to call your insurance to verify that you have coverage for “out-of-network providers.” In this case, you pay for the full session fee upfront and then submit an invoice to your insurance company for reimbursement following the session.

To help facilitate out-of-network claims, I am happy to provide you with a monthly invoice, sometimes called a ‘superbill’, which includes all of the necessary information to submit the claim to your insurance company.

What does “in-network” mean? How do I find an in-network provider?
When a healthcare provider has a contract with an insurance company and is included in the provider network connected to your health plan, they are known as being “in-network”. When you use an in-network provider, you will receive medical services at the best possible price. Your insurance company should be able to provide you with a list of in-network mental health providers.

What is a copay?
A copay, or copayment is a fixed amount paid by you to your health care provider at the time of your appointment for services covered by your insurance policy.

What is a deductible?
The deductible is the amount you will pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. With a $1,500 deductible, for example, you will pay the first $1,500 of covered services. After you pay your $1,500 deductible, you usually pay only a copayment (flat fee) or coinsurance (percent) for covered services. It is also helpful to know the date your benefits start and renew.

Preparing for Your First Appointment

You will be asked to complete several pieces of information prior to your first appointment. To ensure that your information can be maintained confidentially and in accordance with HIPAA regulations, these forms will be sent to you via a secure client portal. You will also receive information regarding office practices, the notice of privacy practices, and requests to allow communication between Madison Health Psychology and your medical team. Please review and complete these forms prior to your first appointment. If you have any questions regarding this paperwork, please reach out.

The First Visit

The initial meeting will be different than future sessions. At your first visit, we will spend time reviewing your paperwork and the Health Psychology treatment process so that you can make an informed decision regarding your care. I will also ask you questions about your current situation, history, expectations for treatment, and goals.  By the end of the first visit, I will share with you my initial impression of your identified issues and will provide recommendations.  These may include scheduling another appointment for continued work together or receiving referrals to other options which may be more suited to your needs.  If we plan to continue to work together, I will outline some next steps toward your treatment plan and feeling better.

Cancellations

If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please do so at least 24 hours in advance.  If you cancel in less than 24 hours, or do not attend a scheduled session, you will be required to pay the full cost of the session. It is necessary to maintain this policy as the time has been reserved for you. If you are using insurance, please note that health insurance plans do not reimburse for missed appointments, and you will be personally responsible for the cost of the missed appointment. Your credit card on file will be charged for the late cancel or missed session.

Mental Health Emergencies

Please note that I am not able to guarantee 24-hour availability or “on call” coverage as a solo practitioner.  I will often be in-session and may be unavailable during non-work hours.  If you believe you will need a therapist with a 24-hour coverage, I will be happy to make a referral. 

If you are a patient of mine and are having a mental health emergency, you are welcome to call me first at 608-492-0053.  If, however, I am unable to answer your call, you should call your primary care physician, call 911, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room rather than waiting for me to call you back.

Below are some community crisis resources: