Filing for health insurance reimbursement

Please proceed with caution.

When considering the use of health insurance for the reimbursement of services please be aware that, at a minimum, I must provide the insurance company a diagnosis. Even with a seemingly innocuous diagnosis such as “adjustment disorder” you may inherit a mental disorder label, which can affect eligibility for disability, health, life or other insurance.

Furthermore, I cannot guarantee your confidentiality. If you have an insurance policy reviewed by one of the managed health care companies, I may be asked to provide detailed information as to your personal history, including sexuality, drug and alcohol use, problems and progress. Failing to provide this may result in a denial of benefits. I cannot guarantee this information will not be shared with others. It is possible – albeit rare (and illegal) – this information is shared with your employer or the Medical Information Bureau (a National database used by insurance companies).

AUTHORIZATION: If you have not already inquired about your insurance benefits, restrictions on coverage, and whether or not pre-authorization is needed, please see the Insurance Benefits and Preauthorization document. If you are going to file for insurance reimbursement, this step needs to be completed before you see me if you want the first session to be covered by insurance. My office will file your insurance claim, or you can do it yourself as follows:

FILING A CLAIM:

  1. Ask your insurance company to provide an insurance claim form. Although I can provide you with a general insurance claims form, many insurance companies prefer you use their form.

  2. Fill out the insurance claim form. In the top portion, be sure to include your authorization number. Do not sign the box authorizing payment directly to me. If they do send the check to me, I will sign it over to you.

  3. I will provide you with a receipt for services at the end of our session(s). This will serve in lieu of the physician or supplier information section on the insurance form.

  4. Create a place to keep track of what your insurance actually pays for and be prepared for mistakes, and for payments to take days to weeks.

If you have a problem with your insurance or managed health care company contact your human resources or benefits office.