COMMON QUESTIONS
What do you charge?
My rates are:
- $200.00 for a 53-60 minute counseling session (CPT Code 90837),
- $225.00 for an hour of clinical supervision (for individuals; $275 for agencies)
- $1,000.00 for psychological testing (please contact me for more details).
What type of payment do you accept?
Cash, checks, credit cards or ACH transfers are accepted. Payment is due at the time of service.
Do you accept insurance?
For most insurance companies I am considered an Out of Network provider. Being an Out of Network therapist allows me to provide a high standard of care for a maximum number of clients.
Because I am an Out of Network provider you typically have a deductible to meet (which varies by plan) and then you will be reimbursed up to 70% of your investment.
Many individuals have high-deductible plans. EVEN SO, many of you also have good out-of-network benefits (In many/most cases your insurance company will reimburse you as much as 70% of each session fee). This means, in some situations, using your out-of-network benefits can actually be more affordable or comparable to your standard copay to see an in-network therapist.
To determine your Out of Network benefits contact your insurance company to learn:
- Do you have out of network coverage for mental health benefits?
- What is your deductible amount?
- What is your reimbursement rate?
- How many sessions per calendar year does your plan cover?
- Is there a limit on how much your provider will pay per session?
- Is approval from your primary care physician required?
If your employer offers a Flexible Savings Account (FSA) or you have a personal Health Savings Account (HSA) you are also eligible to receive reimbursement (at a pre-tax rate) of 100% for up to 20 sessions.
How to Maximize your investment:
- Use your HSA/FSA card. These are pre-tax dollars so it is similar to saving 25%.
- Submit a Superbill (this is available from me upon request).
- Keep the receipt for your taxes. As of January 2018, you can deduct any medical/mental health/dental expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) as part of ‘non-reimbursed medical expenses’.
Fair Health Information
A resource you may want to check out is https://www.fairhealthconsumer.org/. Fair Health is an independent, national nonprofit organization that provides neutral health care information for consumers, because insurance companies – for years – have been underpaying claims!!
A quick check regarding for Counseling (CPT Code 90837) in Monroe County showed an average cost of $194/session with a fair reimbursement rate of $58 (70%)!! This means, if you are being reimbursed less than 70% by your insurance company, you should call them!
I realize financial considerations are a major component when choosing a counselor and am happy to answer any specific questions you have including why I choose to be an Out of Network therapist, at any time.
Where are you located?
The office is located at 500 Canal View Blvd., Suite 400 in the Canal View Office Park, please see map (on Contact page) for further details. This site is centrally located for those within the greater Rochester area. There office is handicap accessible, has ample lighting and parking, as well as safety precautions present for those leaving after dark.
Do you do tele-health appointments?
Yes. I use a HIPAA compliant platform - DOXY. The link for my room is: https://doxy.me/drjoycew
What are your office hours?
Regular hours are as follows:
Monday: 10am - 6pm (telehealth)
Tuesday: 10am - 6pm (telehealth or office)
Wednesday: 9am - 5pm (telehealth or office)
Thursday: 8am - 2pm (telehealth or office)
Other times may be available upon request.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you do not show up for your scheduled therapy appointment, and have not notified me at least 24 hours in advance, you will be required to pay the full cost of the session, as that hour was reserved for you. Exceptions to this include some illnesses. I try to be very fair with this policy because my clients are typically very fair with me.
Why do people seek counseling?
Most people seek counseling because they recognize that they need some help in being able to face a certain challenge - or they find themselves stuck in a particular dilemma. The counseling process is designed to help individuals resolve their problems with some assistance. The process involves your active involvement as well as personal efforts to understand your thoughts, feelings & behaviors.
What can I expect in a counseling session?
During sessions you are expected to talk about the primary concerns and issues in your life. A session lasts 50 minutes, but some people request longer sessions. Usually weekly sessions are best. Some people who are in crisis or extreme distress need more than one session per week, at least until the crisis passes. During the time between sessions it is beneficial to think about and process what was discussed. At times, you may be asked to take certain actions outside of the counseling sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records. For counseling to 'work', you must be an active participant, both in and outside of the counseling sessions.
What can I expect from working with a counselor?
There are both benefits & risks associated with counseling. In addition to symptom reduction, potential benefits of psychotherapy include the improved ability to identify problematic areas, evaluate reasonable options & take action in an honest manner. You may also learn important things about yourself, acquire helpful life management skills & integrate past & present learning toward higher functioning.
Risks of the process, however, might include experiencing uncomfortable levels of feelings like sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, or having difficulties with other people. Some changes may lead to what seems to be worsening circumstances or even losses (for example, counseling will not necessarily keep a marriage or dating relationship intact). While it is expected that counseling will be helpful, there is no guarantee of any specific outcome; therefore, it is vital that you discuss any questions or concerns about the treatment process with me during the counseling process.
Is counseling confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. Information is not disclosed without written permission. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Exceptions include, but are not limited to:
- If a child, elderly person or disabled person is being abused. If this occurred I would be required to file a report with the appropriate state agency.
- If an individual in counseling is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. If this occurred I would be required to notify the potential victim or contact the police department.
- If an individual in counseling threatened to harm him or herself. If this occurred I would be obligated to seek hospitalization or to contact a family member or another individual who could provide protection.
- Finally, a court order might require me to release information contained in records or require me to testify in a court hearing.
If you have other questions that are not answered on this page please contact me and I'll do my best to answer them.
