Fees and Payments
CIP is a participating provider with a number of mental health care programs, some of which include Pennsylvania Blue Shield, Highmark Blue Shield, Capital Blue Cross, Medicare, Magellan, Aetna, Integrated Behavioral Health, and many others. If you have questions about insurance coverage or fees per session, please call us between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
If We Participate With your Insurance Plan:
If we are listed as a participating provider, the insurance company or third party payer will be billed directly. Your responsibility is to pay the co-pay and/or deductible amount established by your insurance(es) plan. Co-payment is due at the end of each session unless other arrangements are made in advance.
Patients should remember that they hold the ultimate responsibility for payment if there is a problem with their insurance or third party reimbursement. If insurance forms need to be completed by CIP staff, it is the client's responsibility to make sure that these forms are provided to the office manager as soon as possible..
If We Do Not Participate With Your Insurance Plan or You Do Not Have Mental Health Coverage:
Full fee payment is due at the beginning of each session unless other arrangements are made in advance. However, even if we do not participate with your health insurance, your plan may cover part of the fee . At the end of each session or as requested, you will receive a receipt which can be submitted to your insurance carrier for possible reimbursement. We do not guarantee that your insurance company will reimburse you for the service. That possibility is particularly more likely with the intensive treatment programs.
Payments may be made by check, cash, credit card (Visa, Master card, Discover or American Express) or money order.
Length of Sessions:
Psychotherapy sessions are 45 to 60 therapy minutes in length unless agreed otherwise. Psychological Testing varies according to the types of assessment and the particular case being evaluated. Consultations that occurs outside of the office will be billed in addition at a specified hourly rate.
Scheduling Appointments:
Subsequent to your initial intake session with CIP it is suggested that you schedule several sessions in advance to avoid difficulties. This can be done directly with your individual therapist or with the front desk. Upon scheduling your initial appointment, the staff at the front desk will provide you with a detailed list of policies and procedures, including a fee schedule. It will be important that you read this information thoroughly and direct any questions to them, the office manager or to your individual therapist.
Answering Service:
A 24 hour answering service is available with directions for on call emergency contact through a digital pager. Please be sure to leave your message slowly and clearly, indicating a telephone number and time where you can be reached. The pager should be used only in the case of a true emergency.
Cancellation Policy:
Since the scheduling of an appointment involves reserving time specifically for you, a minimum of 24 hours notice is required for canceling all appointments. Full fee will be charged for missed sessions or sessions canceled with less than 24 hours notice. Monday appointments require 72 hours notice. Fees for missed appointments are not eligible for insurance reimbursement since insurance companies do not pay for missed appointments. Exceptions will be made if the patient's absence is caused by a sudden illness, inclement weather or accidents.
Confidentiality:
We believe that a successful treatment is based on a trusting relationship between you and our staff. All information disclosed to any CIP staff member is confidential and may not be revealed to anyone without your written permission except where disclosure is required by law. Disclosure is required by law in the following circumstances:
1) When there is reasonable suspicion of child abuse or abuse to an elderly person.
2) Where there is a reasonable suspicion that a client presents a clear and imminent danger of violence to him/herself or to others unless protective measures are taken.
Disclosure may also be required pursuant to a legal proceeding, however, in most cases this will be done only with the written permission of the client. It is common that your treating clinician may request your permission to contact your insurance company and other health professionals familiar and involved with your condition and health history. Questions about these concerns should be discussed with your therapist.