Understanding Costs at MCG
Insurance and Fees
Current Patients
Current patients may make payments through our secure electronic health record. Please click here to access your CLIENT PORTAL.
New Patients: Learn About Your Benefits and Eligibility
Drs. Porter, Solodyna, Gerstel, and Madeline Conover, and Sam DiChiara accept and bill all Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurances nationwide, as well as select PPO/POS plans. We highly recommend that you inquire about your "in-network" and "out-of-network" mental health benefits with your insurance company before starting treatment with us. The insurance landscape changes each year, so becoming aware of your insurance benefits and eligibility prior to starting treatment with us will ensure that you are aware of your financial obligation(s) for each session. This includes copays, co-insurance, and deductibles.
Please note that Dr. Creedon, Betsy Harris, Deirdre Jimenez, Adam Gilman, and Naama Malkesman do not accept any insurance plans at this time.
Can I Use My “Out-of-Network” Benefits?
If you have a PPO or POS insurance plan and want to see one of our providers that are not considered “in-network” with your insurance plan, you likely have some out-of-network (OON) benefits. Please review your OON mental health benefits to get an estimate of what amount or percentage may be reimbursed for a PsyD/PhD/EdD-level clinical psychologist or LICSW/LMHC-level therapist providing weekly psychotherapy (CPT codes 90791/90791-GT, 90832/90832-GT, 90834/90834-GT, 90836/90836-GT, 90837/90837-GT, 90839/90839-GT, 90853/90853-GT, 90846/90846-GT, or 90847/90847-GT). PPO or POS plans with OON often reimburse from 50% to 80% of the allowable charge. Allowable charges generally range from $70-$150 for weekly psychotherapy. HMOs do not reimburse for OON services.
It is critical to determine with your insurance company how much they will be willing to reimburse you for our OON charges.
If you would like to use your PPO or POS plan, MCG can provide you with an itemized statement including all requisite information an insurance company requires you in order to request reimbursement. That is, an itemized list of CPT codes, charges, diagnoses, as well as the provider's license number, NPI number, and tax ID.
To find out what your plan may cover, contact your insurance company (use the member services number on the back of your card) and ask if you have out-of-network mental health coverage. We have a COMPLIMENTARY OUT-OF-NETWORK WORKSHEET that you can use to make sure you get all the necessary information.
Fees
Dr. Creedon, Betsy Harris, Deirdre Jimenez, Adam Gilman, and Naama Malkesman are not contracted with insurance companies and accept cash, check, credit card (Visa/Mastercard/Discover/American Express), and health savings/flexible spending accounts (HSA/FSA). The billing office can provide you with an itemized statement that includes all the necessary information an insurance company requires in order for you to independently file for reimbursement (e.g., a “Super Bill”). All fees are due at the time of each session.
Fixed Fee Evaluations
MCG offers fixed fee evaluations for those who would like a "rapid report" (typically 4 weeks, start to finish, regardless of insurance) and those who have other insurances. MCG offers three types of fixed fee evaluations: (1) $4,000 for a comprehensive neuropsychological or psychological evaluation; (2) $2,500 for an AD/HD, dyslexia, academic resource center, or personality evaluations; (3) $1,500 for intellectual testing only (often required by private and independent schools for admission) and second opinions on evaluations done by other, non-affiliated providers.
Payment of Services
Copays and all other fees are due at the time services are rendered, unless otherwise stated. MCG accepts all forms of payment, including cash, check, credit card (VS/MC/DV/AMEX), and health savings/flexible spending accounts (HSA/FSA). We also offer CARECREDIT. Additionally, you can log in to our CLIENT PORTAL and pay for services using multiple payment options. We provide a monthly statement of account indicating all fees charged and payments received.
Good Faith Estimate at MCG: Understanding Your Costs
As of January 1, 2022 you have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate” to explain the cost of your medical care. Under Federal Law, all health care providers are required to provide an estimated bill of medical services to patients who do not have insurance or who are choosing to not use insurance for the services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
Take a picture and/or save a copy of the Good Faith Estimate for your personal records.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1 (800) 985-3059.
MCG’s Equitable Sliding Scale: Affordable Mental Health Care
At MCG we strive…
to increase accessibility to effective, evidenced-based practice. We recognize that while some individuals can comfortably afford treatment, for others, access to mental health services is outside of reach. For this reason, we have adopted an equitable sliding scale payment option. Our aim is to increase access to all for quality mental health services while also ensuring fair compensation for our hard-working clinicians by asking clients to pay according to their available resources. The chart below is intended to help you consider where you might fall with regard to payment for services. It is “…intended to be a map, inviting each person to take inventory of their financial resources and look deeper at their levels of privilege or systemic barriers…[a way] to challenge classist and capitalistic society we live in and work towards economic justice as a community” (Hawthorne, 2018).
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Support children and/or other dependents
Have significant debt
Are eligible for public assistance
Experience discrimination in hiring or pay level
Have immigration-related expenses
Are an elder with limited financial support
Are an unpaid community organizer/worker
Are descended from enslaved people or Native American Indians
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Travel when needed especially for an unexpected occasion
Have reliable transportation
Are able to repay or are in the process of repaying your student loans
Are able to miss work for sickness or leisure and are still able to pay next month’s bills
Receive economic support from others for things like car payments, phone bills, spending money
Are able to contribute to a retirement plan
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Are single and/or without dependents
Are able to repay your student loans, are in repayment, or have paid off your student loans
Have employer health insurance and/or other employer benefits
Have daily reliable transportation
Travel for recreation
Have access to family money and resources, or have family who pay for treatment
Have a high degree of earning power
Own the home you live in
Work part-time or unemployed by choice, including unemployment due to full-time school
Have investments, retirement accounts, or inherited money
Resources: Embracing Equity, And Still We Rise, Alexis J. Cunningfolk
CareCredit at MCG: Financing Your Mental Health Care
Health, Wellness and Personal Care Credit Card
Whether it's a routine checkup or an emergency, you shouldn't have to worry about how to get the best psychological care. That’s why we're pleased to accept the CareCredit healthcare credit card. CareCredit lets you say "yes" to recommended treatment and pay for it in convenient monthly payments that fit your budget.
CareCredit is the healthcare credit card designed exclusively for healthcare services with special financing options.* With CareCredit, you can use your card for all of your follow-up care as well as regular therapy appointments.
Learn more by visiting www.carecredit.com or contacting our office. Ready to apply? Apply Online for your CareCredit card today.
*Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. Ask us for details.
Flexible Financing with CareCredit
The CareCredit health, wellness, and personal care credit card gives you a convenient, flexible way to pay for care for the whole family—including pets! With everyday promotional financing for purchases of $200 or more, you can pay over time with convenient monthly payments. *
See if you prequalify with no impact to your credit score. Click the CareCredit icon below.
*Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. See carecredit.com for details.