No Surprises Act & Mental Health Counseling Practices
Hi there,
I am confused about how the No Surprises Act/Good Faith Estimates apply to our mental health counseling practice. I am curious how the Good Faith Estimate differs from the Informed Consent/Fee Agreement we already have in place for our clients? Our fees are VERY clear on all intake forms, we ask for payment upfront, and do not work directly with insurance in any capacity. We do have some clients who choose to submit superbills for out-of-network reimbursement, however, we inform our clients to always contact their insurance companies to check on what exactly their out-of-network benefits are since we do not work with insurance. I am more than willing and happy to provide a Good Faith Estimate to clients, but again, I am baffled how this differs from what we already have in place. Is anyone else experiencing confusion? I would love your input. Thank you so much!
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I COMPLETELY agree with Cathy's comments above. We do not take insurance or participate with any plans whatsoever in the practice. I provided full fee disclosure in my consents (and they are highlighted) and I also review them with new clients and they are provided with the information in writing. I too am baffled by how this is different (in my case).
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I am giving a high and low amount for the year. Also uping my rates. Looks awful. But one never knows as crises can arise, and their could be "front loading" that needs to happen in a particular week to get past the crisis faster., reports to other professionals, They are right: it is a crazy year estimate that they want and if you go over that amount the client can request money back from you if you estimated to low. I don't like their disclalimer so I made my own. And explained why there is a high and a low amount. Depends on if client is doing homework or not, stuck, depressed or suicidal, in crisis and how long. We learn about where are clients are at in layers like peeling an onion. I am not about ready to fill out one of these everytime we might change the goals. So much guess work and I will let clients know because there are so many variables the estimate will be high so I don't get caught having to pay them back.
They tell the clients to put their estimate in a safe place but they don't tell us to have them sign that they got it explained to them and they understand and got a copy. I am having them sign a form as well for my records.
And the time that it will take to fill this out for each client. Will have to bill for a Crisis Intake with a 30 minute add to get the entire intake complete in one setting. Or they intake will have to be in 2 sessions. Guess the cash clients will be paying for yet another hour for just more paperwork,. What a waste of our time that we need to be doing the actual therapy. Somebody has to pay for my time. Seems discriminatory that it isn't done with those that are using insurance.
I wonder if the client can 'opt out" of their right to have this unreal Good Faith Estimate. The cash paying client shouldn't have to spend the extra hour or so that it will take to complete this form. They get to opt out of having their primary care doctor know anything about their mental heal issues why not this. ????
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