Sharon Winkler, Psychotherapist, Vancouver WA- Fees & Insurance

Fees:

All services are $120. per 50-minute session; there is no charge for the first session.

I do not participate as an “in-network provider” on insurance plans (that is, you will not find me on your insurance provider list). However, many people have “out-of-network” coverage for psychotherapy, which allows them to see a therapist of their choosing and still use their insurance to help offset the cost of their therapy. To determine whether you have such coverage, call your insurance company and ask the following questions:

Do I have out-of-network coverage for outpatient psychotherapy (sometimes they call it “behavioral health” or “mental and nervous disorders”)? Are all licensed mental health professionals covered (to be sure that your company doesn’t exclude a particular discipline)? What percentage of the fee is covered (to determine your out-of-pocket costs)? What is my deductible (this is the amount you must pay each year before the insurance company will pay)? What documentation do I need to provide to get reimbursed? You’ll want to find out whether submitting your bills is sufficient, or whether they require more extensive documentation. If the company requires that a specific form be submitted, ask for a copy. Are couple and family therapy covered (if this applies to you)? Individual therapy is usually covered; couple and family therapy are less predictable. Is the coverage the same for all DSM diagnoses (the DSM is a compilation of psychiatric diagnostic codes)? Keep in mind that insurance companies will always require a psychiatric diagnosis in order to pay for your treatment. This is true for both in-network and out-of-network coverage.
Always get the name of the person who provides the above information.
Note that insurance companies will not reimburse for the services of unlicensed therapists (click here for additional information).

If you don’t have insurance coverage for therapy, or don’t wish to use it, you might consider setting up a Healthcare Spending Account. Such an account allows you to use pre-tax income to pay for medical services, medical devices, and drugs not paid for by insurance. Since you are using pre-tax income, your actual cost is significantly reduced. However, you must set up your account in advance, and there are restrictions. Consult your human resources or employee benefits representative.