No Surprises Act and the Good Faith Estimate
Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, healthcare providers and healthcare facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in an insurance plan or coverage or are not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling healthcare items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.
You are entitled to receive this “Good Faith Estimate” of what the charges could be for psychotherapy services provided to you if you will not be using insurance or you are not enrolled in an insurance plan.
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, this form provides an estimate of the cost of services 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. This estimate is not a contract and does not obligate you to obtain any services from the provider(s) listed, nor does it include any services rendered to you that are not identified here.
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.
The fee for a 45-60-minute Initial Psychotherapy intake visit for Couples Therapy (in-person or via telehealth) is $350. Most couples will attend one psychotherapy visit per week, but the frequency of psychotherapy visits that are appropriate in your case may be more or less than once per week, depending upon your needs. Based upon a fee of $350 per visit (45-60 minute session), if you attend one psychotherapy visit per week, your estimated charge would be $1,400 for four visits provided over the course of one month; $2,800 for eight visits over two months; or $4,200 for 12 visits over three months. If you attend therapy for a longer period, your total estimated charges will increase according to the number of visits and length of treatment.
You have a right to initiate a dispute resolution process if the actual amount charged to you substantially exceeds the estimated charges stated in your Good Faith Estimate (which means $400 or more beyond the estimated charges).
You are encouraged to speak with your provider at any time about any questions you may have regarding your treatment plan, or the information provided to you in this Good Faith Estimate.