I am currently do not accept health insurance and am out-of-network with all insurance providers.

Not working with insurance providers enables me to offer the most confidential and personalized care possible. Prior to moving out-of-network, insurance companies have placed restrictions on session length, session frequency, and even treatment approaches.

By transitioning out-of-network, I have the freedom to focus solely on your unique needs. If you have questions about this approach, please feel welcomed to reach out to me.

We most definitely can! There are a few options:

• If you have them, you are able to use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for sessions.

• You may be able to be reimbursed by your health insurance company for a portion or the entirety of the cost of your session. If you have out of network reimbursement benefits as a part of your insurance plan, you can obtain super bills from me to initiate that process.

I am an out-of-network provider. This means I can take payment via Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Savings Accounts, and that I am able to provide invoices (Super Bills) for our sessions that you may be able to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.

Do you know if you have out-of-network benefits through your insurance provider?

If you don't know whether or not you have out-of-network insurance, a health savings account or a flexible spending account, I would recommend calling your health insurance company to inquire. I recommend asking the following questions:

• Can I use a Health Savings Account or a Flexible Spending Account to cover the cost of sessions provided by a licensed social worker?

• Does my plan have out of network benefits for mental health care?

• Do I have a deductible? Have I met any portion of my deductible with other medical expenses this year?

• What is my "co-insurance"?

• Does my plan reimburse for sessions provided by a licensed social worker (LMSW or LCSW)?

• How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?

• What percentage of the psychotherapy services fee will be reimbursed to me?

• Is approval required from my primary care doctor?

• If I am eligible for reimbursements, what is the process for getting reimbursed?

Once you find out, let me know and we can take it from there. Depending on what insurance you have and your financial capacity at this moment, I can make some recommended next steps.

Hope this helps!

My movement into private pay or being an out-of-pocket provider is grounded in my abolitionist and community-centric care foundation.

Navigating and providing care work, especially mental health care within capitalist and fascist systems generates webs of bureaucracy, engagement with private corporation centric policies, and predatory data collection.

Until we have systems that work for the people and are by the people, I aim to do everything I can to provide care that circumvents these unfortunate realities. Therefore, I see a few benefits, listed below, to paying out-of-pocket for therapy services:

1. Privacy - Your Private Health Information (PHI) is seen only by me, my supervisor, and you. No one outside our agreed upon confidential community has access and will ever have access to your PHI. What information you share and who you share it with is decided by you.

2. No session limits or restrictions - Health insurance companies often dictate how many sessions a client can have, the type of therapy that is available to them, and even the treatment style/modality allowed. I fully reject this imposition and, as an out-of-network provider, you get to choose how many sessions you need and be fully collaborative in your own treatment.

3. Financial Flexibility - If your budget changes for whatever reason, you and I can be collaborative on how to continue accessing therapy services in the midst of shifting financial circumstances.

It is important that counseling is as accessible as possible within my capacity. My fees are sliding scale based on your financial capacity and my availability.

If cost is a concern, please don’t hesitate to reach out. There are a range of options we can explore and discuss. For instance, I may have a low-cost appointment available for you. I may also be able to connect you with trusted colleagues who can see you within your budget or that take your insurance. Or you may be eligible to receive services for free at one of the organizations I am connected to. There are a number of options. Navigating them can be confusing. I’m always open to discussing your needs and making recommendations.

I offer both! Please reach out to learn more about my current availability for virtual and in-person sessions. Virtual/telehealth sessions are offered to residents of New York and New Jersey via a HIPPA-compliant platform.