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Quick Links
Online Resources
We have attempted to provide online links to topics and issues
related to common concerns.
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Our Location
Need to find our office. See a Map and driving directions.
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Our Staff
We have a great Staff of licenced and experienced Professional
Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists.
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Insurance and Fees
Flexible Fees
Fees are based on gross family income
and family size. Private insurance agencies may also
cover fees. Fees are determined at the initial appointment
call. We offer a sliding fee scale
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Fee Schedule
Funding support from the United Way allows Family
Counseling Services (FCS) to provide counseling on an ability
to pay basis including total fee waiver for those who have no
income or others who cannot afford the Agency's minimum fees.
Ability to pay is defined in association with gross household
income and insurance coverage.
CAN I USE INSURANCE?
FCS accepts most major insurance plans and
is a provider for local HMOs. If you would like to use insurance,
call your insurance company to ensure that FCS (or an FCS
counselor) is listed as a provider and to determine your
mental health coverage (co-pays and number of sessions covered).
Below is a quick comparison of using Insurance or Self Pay:
USING
INSURANCE |
PAYING
OUT-OF-POCKET
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Lack
of confidentiality: A case manager and
billing staff at the insurance company will be aware of
your diagnosis and treatment plan; many mental health benefits
are also contingent on periodic updates from your therapist;
your therapy may become part of your permanent medical record.
Type of treatment:
Treatment is crisis-oriented and required to be brief, focused
and behavioral only; growth-oriented treatment is not covered.
Limited number of
sessions: A case manager at the insurance
company will decide how many sessions are covered; longer-term
treatment is only allowed if it's "medically necessary"
with a more serious diagnosis, and your mental health contract
still determines the maximum number of sessions covered.
Possible denial of
life insurance: Some life insurance
policies have been denied to those using their mental health
coverage, which is seen as a risk.
Initial
low co-pay: Many mental health plans
do offer a low co-pay; however, a large deductible may first
need to be paid out-of-pocket and/or the co-pay may increase
over time. |
Complete
confidentiality: Your case record is
the property of the center; information would only be released
if legally required or you gave your consent.
Type
of treatment: Treatment can focus both
on specific crises and on changing long-term patterns.
Unlimited number of sessions:
You won't need to worry about being denied sessions; because
treatment can be growth-oriented, there is no time limit.
Life insurance policies:
No medical record will exist that could interfere in gaining
other policies.
Payment:
Many times, fees can be equal to a co-pay that increases
over time; if a pre-tax account is used, you may even pay
less than some co-pays (see below).
Medical
expenses flex account/Cafeteria Plan:
Some employers allow you to set aside annual pre-tax
dollars to pay for medical expenses, which can reduce your
costs for counseling even more; depending on your tax bracket,
you could save approximately 25% of the cost of treatment;
check with your employer to see if they offer such a plan,
as many require sign up at the beginning of the year. |
Insurance Note
Your medical insurance may be used to pay a portion of the
Agency's standard charges. We will file for you provided you
sign the Assignment of Benefits Statement. Clients who have
insurance coverage may elect not to use it; however, they will
be responsible for payment of the amount which would have been
collected through insurance in addition to their co-payment.
If your deductible has not been met, you are responsible for
the entire amount of the standard charge until the deductible
has ben met, payment plans are available.
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