Mina Kirkova, LCSW-C

Child, Adolescent, and Family Therapist

in Phoenix/Jacksonville, MD

I am an out-of-network provider and do not participate directly with insurance plans. Depending on your health insurance plan, you may be eligible for reimbursement through out-of-network mental health benefits.
 
You may also choose to pay privately for therapy without submitting claims to insurance. Below you will find information about out-of-network benefits, self-pay options, HSA/FSA payments, session fees, and my cancellation policy.
 

IN-NETWORK VS. OUT-OF-NETWORK INSURANCE

Coverage varies considerably among insurance plans. Before beginning therapy, I recommend contacting your insurance company directly to determine whether your plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits and what portion of the cost may be reimbursed.
 

OUT-OF-NETWORK MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS

If your plan includes out-of-network mental health coverage, I can provide a superbill upon request. A superbill is a detailed receipt containing the information your insurance company may require when you submit a claim for possible reimbursement.
 
Reimbursement is determined entirely by your individual insurance plan and may depend on your deductible, coinsurance, allowed amount, and other plan requirements. I cannot guarantee that an insurance company will reimburse a particular amount or approve a claim.

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Company

      When contacting your insurance company, you may want to ask:
  • Does my plan include out-of-network outpatient mental health benefits?
  • Do I have an out-of-network deductible?
  • How much of that deductible has already been met?
  • What is my coinsurance after the deductible is met?
  • What is the plan's allowed amount for an out-of-network psychotherapy session?
  • Are there limits on the number of therapy sessions covered?
  • Is prior authorization required?
  • What information do I need to submit with a superbill?
  • How do I submit an out-of-network claim?

OUT-OF-POCKET PAYMENTS

You may choose to pay for therapy directly rather than submitting services to your insurance company.
 
Some families prefer private payment because it allows them to make decisions about therapy without relying on insurance coverage requirements. When insurance is used, certain clinical and billing information may need to be shared with the health plan for reimbursement or coverage purposes.
 
Paying privately does not eliminate the normal legal and ethical limits of confidentiality, but it generally means that therapy claims are not being submitted to a health insurance company.
 

Benefits of Paying Out of Pocket

      Private payment may allow you to:
  • Choose a therapist without being limited to your insurance company's provider network
  • Avoid submitting therapy claims to your insurance plan
  • Make treatment decisions based primarily on clinical needs and treatment goals
  • Avoid insurance-related requirements that may apply to reimbursement
  • Work directly with me throughout treatment, as I am the sole therapist in my private practice
  • The length and frequency of therapy vary depending on the concerns being addressed, treatment goals, progress, family circumstances, and individual needs. I do not recommend predicting a specific number of sessions before completing an assessment and monitoring progress over time.
 

HSA AND FSA PAYMENTS

Eligible psychotherapy services may generally be paid or reimbursed with Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds when they meet the requirements of your particular plan.
 
Many clients use HSA or FSA cards to pay for therapy. Because individual plans may have different documentation requirements, please contact your HSA or FSA administrator if you have questions about eligibility.
 

PSYCHOTHERAPY & COUNSELING FEES

$265 – 50 minutes
Initial Assessment/Intake with Parent(s) – first session
 
$265 – 50 minutes
Initial Assessment/Intake with Child or Adolescent – second session
 
$175 – 50 minutes
Individual or Family Counseling/Therapy – sessions following the initial parent and child/adolescent assessments
 
Upon request, I can provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
 

CANCELLATIONS AND NO-SHOW POLICY

Please provide at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment.
 
Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours' notice, as well as missed appointments, will be charged the full session fee. Exceptions may be considered when a late cancellation is unavoidable.
 

QUESTIONS ABOUT FEES OR INSURANCE

If you are considering therapy for your child or adolescent and have questions about fees, payment, or out-of-network insurance benefits, please contact me at mina@minacounseling.com
 
During an initial consultation, we can discuss your child's needs, whether my services may be a good fit, and practical questions related to scheduling, fees, and payment.
Inclusive therapy and counseling
Choose Therapy Session Type (intake or therapy session)

THERAPY FEES AND INSURANCE

 
Therapy is an investment in your child, family, well-being, and the quality of your life!
 
Typically, I am able to resolve most major therapeutic issues within 10-15 sessions. If your child’s problems are not resolved within this time frame, usually this indicates that there are more serious psychological issues at stake which might require a psychiatric evaluation and/or medication.
 

Mina Kirkova, LCSW-C              

Child, Adolescent, and Family Therapist in Hunt Valley, MD