I am currently credentialed and accept the following insurance plans:

• Aetna

• Cigna

• Optum / UnitedHealthCare (UHC)

Insurance can be a valuable resource — but it comes with trade-offs worth understanding:

• Your diagnosis becomes a record. In-network providers are required to submit your diagnosis and treatment notes to receive payment. This information can become part of your permanent medical record.

• That record has reach. It may affect future employment screenings, life or disability insurance applications, or firearm ownership eligibility.

• Non-clinical staff see your information. Insurance claims are reviewed by billing and administrative personnel — not just clinicians.

• They influence your treatment. Insurance companies can limit session frequency, duration, and approved treatment approaches — prioritizing cost over clinical need.

Paying out of pocket keeps your care between you and your provider. It also allows me to tailor treatment entirely to your needs, without external constraints.

Even if your insurance offers out-of-network benefits, it’s important to understand how your deductible affects your costs.

Many plans require you to meet your deductible first before any reimbursement begins. This means:

• You may pay the full session fee upfront until your deductible is met

• After that, your insurance may reimburse a percentage of each session (often 40–80%)

For some clients, this makes using insurance less helpful in the short term — especially if the deductible is high or the year is just beginning.

Because of this, I recommend calling your insurance provider ahead of time and asking:

• How much of my deductible has been met?

• What percentage will I be reimbursed after I meet it?

• Is there a maximum reimbursement per session?

This helps you make a clear, informed decision before starting care.

If you plan to use your out-of-network benefits, you can set this up in just a few minutes.

Many clients choose to get a clear estimate of their reimbursement before their first appointment using Mentaya.

Here’s how it works:

1. Visit Mentaya and enter your insurance information

2. They will check your out-of-network benefits and estimate your reimbursement

3. Once you begin care, you can upload your superbills or connect your account

4. Mentaya will handle claim submission and follow-up with your insurance

This allows you to understand your expected costs ahead of time and avoid dealing with insurance paperwork on your own.

You can get started here:
https://www.mentaya.com/

When to Do This

You can complete this step either:

• Before your first appointment — to understand your expected reimbursement and plan accordingly

• After your first visit — if you prefer to begin care right away and submit claims afterward

A Simple Way to Think About It

If you plan to use insurance at all, it’s worth taking a few minutes to check your benefits upfront.

Many clients find that having this clarity early on helps them feel more confident moving forward with care.

If you choose to use your out-of-network benefits, I provide a superbill after each session that you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement.

To make this process easier, many clients choose to use a service like Mentaya.

Mentaya can:

• Check your out-of-network benefits in advance

• Estimate what your reimbursement will look like

• Submit claims on your behalf

• Track and follow up with insurance

This removes the guesswork and paperwork, and helps ensure you receive the reimbursement you're eligible for.

There is a small fee for this service, but many clients find it well worth the time saved and the increased likelihood of reimbursement.

Access to care matters. I reserve a limited number of sliding-scale spots for clients facing financial barriers. If cost is a concern, reach out — I'm happy to discuss options or add you to the waitlist.