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You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.
The “No Surprises Act” requires mental health practitioners to provide a “Good Faith Estimate” (GFE) about out-of-network care to any patient who is uninsured or who is insured but does not plan to use their insurance benefits to pay for health care items and/or services.
The Good Faith Estimate shows the cost of items and services that are reasonably expected for your mental health care needs for an item or service. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created. The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment.
You are entitled to receive this “Good Faith Estimate” of what the charges could be for psychotherapy services provided to you. While it is not possible for a psychotherapist to know, in advance, how many psychotherapy sessions may be necessary or appropriate for a given person upon the initiation of psychotherapy, the Food Faith Estimate provides an estimate of the cost of services to be provided. Your total cost of services will depend upon the number of psychotherapy sessions you attend, your individual circumstances, and the type and amount of services that are provided to you. The estimate is not a contract and does not obligate you to obtain any services from the provider(s) listed on the Good Faith Estimate, nor does it include any services rendered to you that are not identified within the document.
This Good Faith Estimate is not intended to serve as a recommendation for treatment or a prediction that you may need to attend a specified number of psychotherapy visits. The number of visits that are appropriate in your case, and the estimated cost for those services, depends on your needs and what you agree to in consultation with your therapist. You are entitled to disagree with any recommendations made to you concerning your treatment and you may discontinue treatment at any time.
INTAKE, EVALUATION & TREATMENT PLANNING
Unlike some medical services, with behavioral health services your clinician often cannot form an estimate of what services you will need and what they will cost until the clinician has evaluated you. Even then, the extent of the services you will need will be influenced by many factors. Your clinician will review your treatment plan and service needs with you throughout your treatment which may not be reflected in this estimate.
Most clients will attend one psychotherapy visit per week on average, but the frequency of psychotherapy visits that are appropriate in your case may be more or less than once per week, depending upon your individual needs and preferences. It is also important, when determining your total estimate, to take into consideration vacations, holidays, emergencies, and sick time.
Laura Forcella Spiering recognizes every client’s therapy journey is unique. How long you need to engage in therapy and how often you attend sessions will be influenced by many factors including:
● Your schedule and life circumstances
● Therapist availability
● Ongoing life challenges
● The nature of your specific challenges and how you address them
● Personal finances and resources
You and your therapist will continually assess the appropriate frequency of therapy and will work together to determine when you have met your goals and are ready for discharge. You may request a new GFE at any time in writing during your treatment.
Good Faith Estimate Disclaimer:
This Good Faith Estimate shows the costs of items and services that are reasonably expected for your health care needs for an item or service. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created.
The Good Faith Estimate is only an estimate—actual items/ service charges may differ. The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unanticipated costs that may arise and are not reasonably expected during treatment due to unforeseen events. You could be charged more if complications or special circumstances occur. If this happens, and your bill is $400 or more for any provider or facility than your Good Faith Estimate for that provider or facility, federal law allows you to dispute the bill. Other potential items and/ or services associated with therapy charges may include but is not limited to no show/ late cancellation fee(s), record request(s), letter writing(s), legal fee(s)/ court attendance(s), professional collaboration(s), and in-between session supports). These potential items / services and associated fee(s) are discussed further within the “Therapy Consent, Policies, and Agreements” documentation. The Good Faith Estimate does not obligate the client to obtain listed items or services.
You may contact the health care provider or facility listed to let them know the billed charges are higher than the Good Faith Estimate. You can ask them to update the bill to match the Good Faith Estimate, ask to negotiate the bill, or ask if there is financial assistance available.
You may also start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If you choose to use the dispute resolution process, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days (about 4 months) of the date on the original bill.
If you dispute your bill, the provider or facility cannot move the bill for the disputed item or service into collection or threaten to do so, or if the bill has already moved into collection, the provider or facility has to cease collection efforts. The provider or facility must also suspend the accrual of any late fees on unpaid bill amounts until after the dispute resolution process has concluded. The provider or facility cannot take or threaten to take any retributive action against you for disputing your bill.
There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process. If the Selected Dispute Resolution (SDR) entity reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you will have to pay the price on this Good Faith Estimate, reduced by the $25 fee. If the SDR entity disagrees with you and agrees with the health care provider or facility, you will have to pay the higher amount.
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 http://www.cms.gov/priorities/legislation/no-surprises-act or call 800-985-3059
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