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Self-Pay
You're in control. No insurance company gets to decide how many sessions you need or what we can work on together. Your therapy stays completely private - just between you and your counselor.
Many clients find self-pay actually saves them money. No copays adding up over time, no surprise bills when insurance decides something isn't "medically necessary." You know exactly what you're paying upfront.
Plus, no jumping through hoops to prove you "need" therapy. You already know you want to invest in yourself.
Unsure about using your insurance? Not comfortable using insurance for mental health services? By taking advantage of our self-pay option we create a counseling experience that makes sense for your individualized needs—not what your insurance plan says. Let us remove one barrier - insurance companies.
Why our clients choose self-pay
Complete privacy
No diagnosis required in your medical records, no insurance company knowing your personal business
Insurance companies require clinical information be released to document the necessity of care. At a minimum, this includes a mental health diagnosis and dates of service. At times, insurance companies request clinical information to justify continued coverage of therapy appointments. Evidence of care and sometimes clinical information is seen by a number of insurance employees. If the claim is in network and your coverage allows a specific number of visits, your therapist will have to discuss your case with insurance employees in order to negotiate additional sessions. This means revealing progress updates.
Self-pay clients enjoy the peace of mind knowing that the confidential information shared in therapy stays between them and the therapist.
No Diagnosis Needed
No need to have a documented diagnosis: In order to use your insurance for services (either through an In-Network provider or through an Out Of Network provider), your insurance requires that services be "medically necessary" in order to qualify for reimbursement. Thus, your provider will need to provide a diagnosis in order for reimbursement from insurance.
No session limits
Stay in therapy as long as it's helping, not just until insurance says stop
Your insurance company cannot tell you how long you can stay in therapy or what your treatment should entail. Those decisions are between you and your therapist.
Your goals matter
Work on personal growth, relationships, life transitions - not just "mental health diagnoses"
Your therapy gets to be what you want it to be without worrying if you qualify for a mental health diagnosis or worrying when insurance will stop covering sessions. Insurance does not cover personal growth or general well-being. Just because insurance does not recognize the value of personal growth, self-care, and personal well-being does not mean you do not have ability to seek care.
Convenience
Finding a therapist may be easier, as some people have trouble finding a therapist through their insurance.
Payment
Payment is accepted in the form of cash, credit/debit card, Health Savings Account (HSA), Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and is due at each session.
Out of Network Benefits
Have insurance but we're not in-network? No problem. We accept your out-of-network benefits and will file claims for you.
For companies that Bright Light Counseling Center doesn't accept directly, we're considered out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network benefits, and we work to make using these benefits easy for you. We'll collect the full fee at your session and submit claims to your insurance company. If you have out-of-network provider benefits, you may receive reimbursement directly from your insurance company.
Before your first session, contact your insurance company and ask:
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Do I have mental health/behavioral health coverage?
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What percentage of my bill will be covered for services obtained by an Out-of-Network Provider?
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How many sessions will be covered per calendar year?
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What is my deductible and has it been met?
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Is approval required form my primary care physician?
Insurances Accepted
Our Chicago, IL and Austin, TX offices are considered in-network with the following:
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Aetna
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Ascension Seton/Smart Health (Texas Only)
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Blue Cross and Blue Shield
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Cigna
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Curative
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First Health
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Humana
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Meritain Health
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Moda Health (Texas Only)
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Optum
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Oscar
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Sana Benefits
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United Healthcare
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United Behavioral Health
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UMR
Before your first appointment, we check insurance benefits and send you an email with an estimate of your coverage and financial responsibility. During the scheduling call, you'll be asked to provide your insurance information. You'll also need to send a picture of the front and back of your insurance card. Use our HIPAA Compliant Form to Submit your Insurance Information.
Please check with our Client Care Coordinator to verify if your clinician is an in-network provider with your insurance company.
Please note that insurance benefits are an agreement between you and your insurance company. Bright Light Counseling Center cannot guarantee any insurance coverage or reimbursement. If you have eligibility concerns or questions, please contact your insurance provider directly.
Reduced Rate
Does your insurance not offer mental health benefits? Are you uninsured? underinsured?
We're committed to providing quality therapy services and believe everyone deserves access to mental wellness. We save select spots for clients who qualify for reduced rates.
Cancelation Policy
When you book an appointment one of our clinicians, we reserve that appointment time exclusively for you. If you notice a conflict with your appointment time, please contact your clinician to cancel or reschedule as soon as possible.
We require a minimum of 24-hour notice to cancel or reschedule your scheduled session. Failure to cancel, reschedule, or show up for your session without providing 24-hour notice will result in our cancellation fee being charged. This fee is detailed in your Fee Agreement that is signed prior to your initial appointment.
This policy allows our practice to offer the available time slot to waitlisted individuals in need of an appointment and also to protect our clinician's income and schedule.