Why Pay Cash for a Therapist?

You may have seen our recent posts about hiring Amanda Caldwell, LCSW. Amanda is in the process of being paneled with all major commercial insurance companies, and is accepting cash-pay clients only right now. So, you might be wondering, why pay cash for therapy?

There's a few reasons. We'll detail them here. Please note, Caring Conversations Therapeutic Services, LLC does accept major commercial insurance (UPMC, Highmark, United, Cigna, Aetna, Evernorth). There are some cash-pay only practices, and we are not one of those. We do have clients that prefer to pay cash, and when we welcome a new team member, there is an awkward waiting period while they are paneled with insurance companies. Please also note, when I say "pay cash" I don't mean literal, cold hard cash. We can run a debit card, accept checks, or of course, literal cash.

1. Privacy

   If you pay cash, we don't have to go through the insurance company. Rarely, but at times, insurance companies can request notes or a summary to ensure that the services you are receiving are medically necessary. This means that there must be a mental health diagnosis on file associated with you, too. When you pay cash, there's no insurance involvement, offering you the ultimate privacy.

   Although extremely rare, there are times your notes may be requested, such as by lawyers or a judge.

   
   

2. More Freedom in Treatment

   Because therapy is a medical service, if you are using insurance, it has to be medically necessary. This also, unfortunately, means there are restrictions and limits to what insurance will cover. For example, say that you are seeking couples counseling. But the way your schedule works, it makes more sense to do a 90 minute session than a 45-minute session. If you pay cash, you have the ability to do this (assuming your therapist has that availability, of course). Or, if you desire to be seen multiple times per week, this is possible without insurance restrictions.

   
   

3. Faster appointments

   In our case, with new therapist Amanda, paying cash means you can be seen immediately. No waitlist. Another perk? If you want to get in now, you can start immediately by paying cash and switch to using insurance when Amanda is paneled with the insurance. Best of both worlds :)

4. Out of Network Benefits & High Deductibles

   Sometimes, people with high deductibles or out-of-network benefits choose to pay cash. For high deductibles, if you don't have a lot of other medical expenses, you might be paying for the full session cost anyway. For out-of-network benefits, some clients choose to submit a Superbill (which we can provide) to recoup some of the costs of therapy.

5. Oddball Insurance

   While we are in-network with all major commercial insurance companies, there are some "oddball" companies from time to time, that aren't one of the major insurances in Western PA. People with these insurances may struggle to find a provider in the area that can accept their insurance.

Paying cash or using your insurance benefits...one isn't "better" than the other. Your therapist should be dedicated to you and your care regardless. There are perks to each, certainly. If you want to get in quickly to see Amanda with cash, and switch to insurance later, give me a call (724.201.9815)

This blog is written and maintained by non-clinical staff, and therefore should not be taken as medical advice or a replacement for therapy. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. For a mental health crisis that is not an emergency, please call 988.