Privacy Policy
With the exception of specific exceptions described in our HIPAA form, you have the absolute right to the confidentiality of your counseling. In general, the law and ethics of the counseling profession protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and his/her counselor, and the counselor may only release information about the sessions to others with your written permission. We take your confidentiality very seriously and work hard to insure that information is shared only with your consent and awareness. However, that information might sometimes be shared with other professionals in our agency ( clinical review team). This is done only when necessary and relevant to your clinical needs and bound by the same laws and ethics of confidentiality that your counselor adheres to. In addition SMS text will not be shared with any third party.
Appointments
Individual and Family appointments are for (45 or 60 minutes) Group appointments are 1.5 to 2 hours. Appointments may be scheduled weekly or be-weekly, Request Appointment.
Billings and Payments
You will be expected to pay for each session at the time it is held, unless we agree otherwise or unless you have insurance coverage that requires another arrangement. Payment schedules for other professional services will be agreed to when they are requested. If your account has not been paid for more than 60 days and arrangements for payment have not been agreed upon, SAS Wellness and Counseling has the option of using legal means to secure the payment. This may involve hiring a collection agency or going through small claims court, which will require us to disclose otherwise confidential information. In most collection situations, the only information released regarding a client’s treatment is his/her name, the nature of services provided, and the amount due. If such legal action is necessary, its costs will be included.
No Show Policies
We have implemented a “No-Show and cancellation Fee” of half the cost of the service that you scheduled. We realize that emergencies are inevitable; therefore please call the office and provide a 24 hour notice prior to your appointment. It is important to note that insurance companies do not provide reimbursement for cancelled sessions.
Contacting Therapists
Due to our work schedule, your therapist may not be immediately available by telephone. Our voicemail system is checked for messages regularly during normal business hours. Messages left on weekends or holidays will be returned the following business day. Occasionally, messages get lost or are not received, so if you have not received an expected return call, try calling again. In addition if times of callback are limited please inform me of some times when you will be available. Attached is a policy on telephone, emails and telehealth.
Emergencies
The practice of private outpatient psychotherapy makes the assumption that clients are functioning, self responsible individuals with legitimate pain and legitimate needs. Private outpatient psychotherapy cannot, by its structure, assume responsibility for day-to-day functioning of its clients in the same way agencies and institutions can. With this philosophy in mind, we attempt to operate our practice in a way that is responsible to your needs, encouraging of your autonomy, and respectful of our limits. During weekdays, we will make every effort to return phone calls within 24 hours, and weekend calls will be returned by Monday or the first business day after a holiday weekend, barring personal emergency, or planned out-of-town absences. If you feel that you cannot wait for your provider to return your call, please contact your family physician or the emergency room at the nearest hospital and ask for the psychologist or psychiatrist on call. If your therapist is expected to be unavailable for an extended period of time, contact arrangements will be made if requested.
Insurance Reimbursement
If you have a health insurance policy, it will usually provide some coverage for mental health treatment. We will fill out forms and provide you with whatever assistance we can in helping you receive the benefits to which you are entitled; however, you are ultimately the party responsible for full payment. It is very important that you find out exactly what mental health services your insurance policy covers. If you have questions about the coverage, call your plan administrator. Of course, we will provide you with whatever information we can. By signing this Agreement, you agree that we can provide requested information to your carrier.
Emergencies
The practice of private outpatient psychotherapy makes the assumption that clients are functioning, self responsible individuals with legitimate pain and legitimate needs. Private outpatient psychotherapy cannot, by its structure, assume responsibility for day-to-day functioning of its clients in the same way agencies and institutions can. With this philosophy in mind, we attempt to operate our practice in a way that is responsible to your needs, encouraging of your autonomy, and respectful of our limits. During weekdays, we will make every effort to return phone calls within 24 hours, and weekend calls will be returned by Monday or the first business day after a holiday weekend, barring personal emergency, or planned out-of-town absences. If you feel that you cannot wait for your provider to return your call, please contact your family physician or the emergency room at the nearest hospital and ask for the psychologist or psychiatrist on call. If your therapist is expected to be unavailable for an extended period of time, contact arrangements will be made if requested.
Inclement Weather Plan
In the case of severe weather or a local natural disaster please, call our office for additional information. Updates regarding the status of all appointments will be left on the office voicemail. If the local phone service is not available, it can be assumed that your appointment will need to be rescheduled at a later time.
Professional Fees
The standard hourly fees will be provided when you contact the office . We will break down the hourly cost if we work for periods of less than one hour. Other services include report writing, telephone calls lasting longer than 10 minutes, consulting with other professionals with your permission, preparation of records or treatment summaries, and the time spent performing any other service you may request of your provider. If you become involved in legal proceedings that require our participation, you will be expected to pay for our professional time, including preparation and transportation costs.