The Benefits of Self-Pay Therapy

Many people assume that insurance is the best way to pay for therapy, but there are some drawbacks of using insurance and some definite benefits of self-pay therapy.

One drawback to using insurance companies is that they require a diagnosis upon the start of therapy, which becomes part of your mental health record. Additionally, they will require therapy notes over the course of treatment. With self-pay, therapy notes, including diagnoses and treatment plans, are not shared with insurance companies. This makes therapy more private and confidential.

People often seek therapy for life transitions, to improve relationships, manage stress, for support of individual growth, or other issues for which the diagnosis of a mental health disorder is not appropriate. Labeling a person with a diagnosis for the sake of insurance reimbursement can have a negative effect that unnecessarily complicates their situation.

Insurance companies often limit the amount of visits per week and the total number of sessions that a person may attend. Self-pay gives you more flexibility and control of scheduling sessions. In self-pay therapy the individual and therapist determine the best schedule and time frame for sessions. Therapy without limitations can help a person excel, not just aim at a return to baseline.

Self-pay therapy also gives you the freedom to find the right therapist for you. You will not be limited only to therapists that are within your insurance network. Sometimes finding a therapist "in network" can be extremely limiting. The therapists you have to choose from may have no experience or additional training in the areas in which you are seeking help and support. Finding the right therapist that is a good fit for you is crucial in determining how helpful your therapy will be. Access to starting therapy may also be faster when finding a self-pay therapist since you will not have to wait for insurance referrals or approval.

When it comes to paying for therapy, often when we pay out of pocket for a service, we feel more invested in securing the best outcome. As opposed to going through insurance and seeing therapy as only the treatment for a mental illness that we are trying to heal from, we may be more likely to strive for an even better outcome and brighter future. Another benefit is that the cost of self-pay therapy may be more predictable. Insurance copays may change over the course of therapy, leading to higher than expected charges, and the copay itself may be substantial, not to mention meeting an annual deductible. Insurance companies can also hit you with a surprise bill when a service is denied. With insurance companies there can sometimes be a delay in payment to the provider, which can lead to gaps in the therapy schedule while a therapist is awaiting payment. When insurance is not being used for therapy you have the right to a good faith estimate that will predict the total amount of expenditure over a certain period of time for your therapy. In addition, if you are having financial difficulties, many therapists offer a sliding scale for decreased rates that may be equal to or lower than your insurance copay.

When you use insurance for therapy the focus is often on the insurance company as they direct your care, telling you who you can see, how often, and for how long. With self-pay therapy the focus of your therapy is on you and the connection with your therapist who will support and assist you in identifying and meeting your goals.

In summary, choosing self-pay therapy has a number of benefits, with the ability to choose the right therapist who is a good fit for you being the most important benefit of all. With that in mind, I warmly invite you to contact me and see if we might be a good fit!