Making contact might be a challenge
Many people find it hard to make that first call. What will they say when the therapist answers? Should you be formal or friendly? Will the therapist ask you a lot of questions? (Let her or him know if you are calling from work.) How will you know if it’s the perfect therapist for you?
Expect voicemail
First of all, many therapists use confidential voicemail to take calls because they are usually in session with clients. You’ll need to leave a message stating your name clearly, your number slowly, how soon you’d like to be seen and the time of day you’re hoping to be scheduled. If you don’t hear back within 48 hours, call again & leave a pleasant message.
State your need
If the therapist answers, ask first if she or he has any openings and if she or he is able to speak with you briefly at that moment. If the therapist offers a free initial consultation on the phone, ask how much time is available and have your questions ready. You might also think ahead about how to describe your needs briefly. Know ahead of time what days and times you are available to go in.
Clarify whether the therapist takes your insurance
Ask whether the therapist can bill your insurance for the first session and/or what amount of money you should bring when you come in. If you want to pay by debit or credit card make sure they accept payment in that form.
If the therapist does not take insurance, determine the fee and ask if they can provide you with a statement that you can turn in to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
Let the therapist verify your insurance benefits
The therapist may be willing to determine your benefits by calling your insurance ahead of your appointment. It may be to your benefit to have the therapist call instead of calling yourself to help you obtain reimbursement. Many clients use terms that disqualify them for certain benefits. Often in the first appointment your therapist will be able to determine whether your needs meet criteria that may qualify you for covered treatment or not based on your history, current situation and needs.
Have your insurance information ready
If the therapist takes insurance they will need you to provide them your member i.d., group number, provider information line number (usually an 800, 888, or 877 number) from your insurance card before you come in. They will want to call your insurance ahead of time to understand your benefits, whether you need an authorization number, what your deductible is and sometimes, what diagnoses they will or won’t cover. Don’t assume the therapist will not know the essential questions to ask before he or she agrees to forego payment. Also, it is not realistic to expect the therapist to see you for free without having a concrete agreement on how you will assure her or him of payment.
Many appointment seekers will tell the therapist that they would rather call the insuror but therapists know that they have to get certain information themselves.
If you have a deductible and it has not been met, your insurance will not pay your claim until you have paid the deductible amount out of pocket. You should expect to pay for each session until you’ve paid an amount equal to your deductible.