In regard to insurance coverage, it is important for our families to know that we are “out-of-network” providers for most insurance companies, and will provide all paperwork necessary for families to obtain their appropriate out-of-network reimbursement. This means that families pay for services out of pocket at the time of service, and are given the reimbursement paperwork to send directly to their insurance carrier. If subscribers have out-of-network benefits, insurance companies will generally reimburse between 60-80 percent of these claims after a deductible has been met. We will also advocate for families with insurance companies if reimbursement issues arise, and are usually successful at obtaining this benefit for them.
The cost of my services, $150.00 per 50-minute hour, is within the usual and customary fees for doctoral-level professional services in the community. In cases where families have special financial needs, I have several reduced-fee time slots that may be available. I do not participate directly in managed care plans or other provider-insurance company agreements because I base my treatment on the needs of my clients, tailoring my approach to each client and their unique situation. Often, insurance companies will not reimburse therapists for the many collateral services that are required to help struggling adolescents, such as phone contacts with parents, school consultations, letters, and PPT meetings. I prefer to be guided by what is required by and in the best interests of my clients, and not the financial needs of an insurance company or the simplified cookbook approach to treatment that many of these companies require.
I am also committed to confidentiality and my client's privacy. Most managed care plans require the therapist to report private intimate details about client's lives. I am gravely concerned about private and potentially damaging personal information about my clients' lives being stored in an insurance company data file. There is a movement to establish a shared national information data bank containing confidential health care information. It worries me to think about who might gain access to that personal information and how the information could be used. As a courtesy to my clients, I will of course provide HICF claim forms for them to send to their insurance company, and will provide them with a receipt for professional services that can be used for tax-reduction purposes.
Rates:
$200.00 Initial Apointment (Intake) Flat Fee
$150 per 50-minute session
*Phone sessions such as parent consults, consults with school staff and other providers, and formal letters are all billed at the regular rate in half-hour increments
*There is a one-hour minimum charge for letters only
Reduced Fee
Reduced fee services are available on a limited basis.
Payment Cash, checks, and Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit/debit cards can be used for payment. At intake, the party finacially responsible for the client will be given the payment agreement form and a credit card information sheet to file a credit card with Arete. The client may specify if they want to make regular payments using the credit card, in which case Dr. Abbott will debit the card for each session using a professional and highly secure online credit card processing service.
Since payment is due at the time of service, if clients do not bring cash or a check to the session, the card will be debited for the appropriate amount for the session as a matter of policy. The credit card payment service can also be utilized for payment for charges that are not direct face-to-face services such as phone calls, letters, and consultations with other professionals as requested by the client.
Cancellation/Missed Appointments Policy: Please be aware that 24-hour notice is required for cancellations. If we receive less than 24 hours notice, the full fee will be charged, unless the cancellation is due to an illness, emergency, or is deemed to be unavoidable for clinical reasons in a given case.
Dr. Scott Abbott ♦ 2764 Whitney Avenue; 2nd Floor ♦ Hamden, CT 06518 ♦ 203-507-4117
Arete Psychological Services, LLC., and Managing Director Dr. Scott Abbott provide quality care to adolescents, young adults and their families throughout Connecticut. Our primary service areas are Cheshire, East Haven, Hamden, Meriden, Milford, New Haven, Northford, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Wallingford, West Haven, and Woodbridge. Most PPO and POS insurances accepted as reimbursable under the out-of-network fee schedule and out-of-pocket expenses may count toward your annual deductible. Treatment is generally a qualified expense under most Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA). Contact your insurance carrier for details.
