About insurance companies benefits

Someone recently emailed and asked about how to understand insurance benefits, and what to expect to pay.  This is a very common question, so I thought I'd post my response:

Each insurance policy is different.  Usually you will get better benefits if you see someone in-network, however some out-of-network benefits are quite good especially if you have met your deductible.  Some insurance companies manage mental health benefits, and may require your therapist to provide clinical information after they have seen you. You can call your insurance company and ask them to tell you about your outpatient mental health benefits. 

 

Your insurance company should provide this information for both your in-network and out-of-network benefits:

deductible (and what amount has been met, year to date),

 

copayment or coinsurance amount per session,

 

limit in number of sessions per year (if you work for a company that has more than 50 employees you should have unlimited sessions per the Mental Health Parity Act), and

 

whether they cover the modality (individual, family, couple {frequently not covered}, or group) of therapy you are seeking.

 

Once you have this information, you can talk with a therapist and they should be able to help you anticipate what your session fee would be.

 

Hope this helps - feel free to ask other questions in the comments section, or call me if you have more questions.

 

Peace, Lisa Catania, LCSW
773-719-1751

Starting therapy - the first step

by Lisa Catania, LCSW


When I first meet a new client, I often reflect on how brave they are to make the step into the therapist office.


Some people come into therapy because they see it as a spa-like experience.  They sink into the chair and enjoy expressing, exploring, feeling heard and finding a new perspective. However, most people come into therapy because they are in a place of crisis, often pain, and therapy is their last resort.  To let yourself be vulnerable with a stranger is hard, but overcoming stigma can make it even harder.


Many comment that they thought of seeking help sooner, but saw therapy as a sign of weakness, failure, or lack of faith.  Often they see themselves as failing since they have not been able to solve whatever the issue is on their own.  People also comment that they fear that after they start talking, that the therapist will assign them multiple diagnoses, and they will feel worse than when they came in!  Add to this, many of us have heard disparaging or dismissive comments about emotional concerns throughout our lives, such as: "What's wrong with you?!! You must be nuts!" or "just let it go, you're being a downer".  And some of us have seen less than reassuring TV depictions of therapy, like the Simpsons' episode where they go for family therapy and have buttons to electric shock each other (funny? well, yes.... but realistic? no!!).


I always see a strength and a fortitude in the person who walks over that threshold of fear and humility.  It takes a hidden strength to ask for help and to allow yourself to be vulnerable.  Asking for help is the first step in a journey that desires and invites change for the better.


What I find is that when clients find a therapist whom they can trust, feel comfortable with, and feel a sense of hope in the therapist's expertise, that they transform into that client that sinks into the chair, opens up and begins to see the possibilities of how they can change.


Peace,  Lisa