Hopefully, you will have completed your new patient paperwork prior to your appointment (see Forms page to review). If not, you will first fill out paperwork which includes our privacy practices and office policies. During the first session, your child’s clinician will want to meet with your child AND you to begin with. Depending on age and circumstances, the therapist may meet with you alone or the child alone. Overall, the first session will include many questions to get to know your child and what brings your family to therapy. Some of these questions will be about developmental milestones, medical history, education achievement, family dynamics, peer relationships, and personal interests.

You may also ask questions of the therapist to learn about the therapist’s background, the therapist’s therapy style, the therapy process and confidentiality.

At the end of the first visit, you should have disclosed some goals for therapy and discussed the frequency of visits. Psychotherapy is a process and requires multiple visits, so please do not expect instant resolution.

Clients are responsible for the cost of services rendered, and no one likes surprises, especially when it comes to insurance and medical costs. Bay Area Psychological Consultants verifies benefits using Availity. Cost shares may be higher or lower than what Availity reflects at time of verification as not all plans provide a mental health specific cost share.

To limit these undesirable surprises, we recommend new patients contact their insurance to confirm their benefits and cost-share prior to beginning services. Each insurance and each plan is different.

FOR IN NETWORK BENEFITS

1. Call the number on the back of your insurance card; some have a specific number for mental health benefits.
2. Tell the representative that you would like to confirm that Bay Area Psychological Consultants is an in-network provider for your plan. For your reference,our group NPI # is 1902801210.
3. Ask to confirm that the most common billing codes are covered: these codes are: 90791, 90837, 90832,90834, 90847, 90846. Confirm that these codes are covered for both in office and telehealth coverage.
4. Ask if you have a deductible you must meet prior to insurance covering a portion of the cost of your visits.
5. Ask what your co-pay / co-insurance amounts are.
6. Record all this information and be sure to get a reference number. Please share information received with our office staff.

FOR OUT OF NETWORK BENEFITS

Clients can call the number on the back of their insurance card and inquire about their out of network benefits and follow the same instructions as above but ask for the out-of-network benefits.Bay Area Psychological Consultants files claims to some out-of-network plans as a courtesy; for out-of-network plans the visit fee will be due at the time of service.

The cost of testing varies based upon the tests recommended by the ordering psychologist. After your initial appointment, our staff will be able to give you an estimate of the cost of your testing. Clients are responsible for the cost of services rendered. Please note, neuropsychological and psychological testing is subject to medical necessity. These decisions are made by your insurer, not Bay Area Psychological Consultants.

We recommend new patients contact their insurance to confirm their benefits prior to beginning services.

FOR IN-NETWORK BENEFITS

1. Call the number on the back of your insurance card; some have a specific number for mental health benefits.
2. Tell the representative that you would like to confirm that Bay Area Psychological Consultantsis an in-network provider for your plan. For your reference,our group NPI # is 1902801210
3. Ask to confirm that the most common billing codes are covered:
   • Office Visit codes: 90791, 90837, 90832,90834
   • Testing codes: 96130, 96131, 96132, 96133, 96136, 96137, 96138
4. Ask if there is a limit to the units of testing covered and if pre authorization is required for testing.
5. Ask if you have a deductible you must meet prior to insurance covering a portion of the cost of your visits.
6. Ask what your co-pay / co-insurance amounts are.
7. Record all this information and be sure to get a reference number. Please share information received with our office staff.

FOR OUT OF NETWORK BENEFITS

Clients can call the number on the back of their insurance card and inquire about their out of network benefits and follow the same instructions as above but ask for the out-of-network benefits. Bay Area Psychological Consultants files claims to some out-of-network plans as a courtesy; for out-of-network plans the visit fee will be due at the time of service.

Yes. We offer telehealth, and most insurances cover this service. Telehealth visits are only available for established and active therapy clients.Call or text the office at 850-729-0303 if you would like to learn more about telehealth visits.

Please familiarize yourself the system we use for telehealth sessions — Doxy.me. -prior to your appointment time. Your link is custom for your provider and can be used again.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill
• Ask if there is a limit to the units of testing covered and if pre authorization is required for testing.
• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
  For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.