FAQ

For individual therapy, we are in-network with Tricare, CHAMPVA, United Healthcare/OPTUM, PPO Blue Cross Blue Shield/Lucet, Cigna/Evernorth, Aetna PPO, Meritain, and Oscar.

We are not providers of Medicaid or Medicare plans.

For marriage, couples, or family therapy it is self-pay rates.

We would be happy to work with you to best suit your needs and our billing team can discuss what would be best for your situation, considering out of network costs.

Benefits of self-pay vs. utilizing your insurance:

○ In order to have therapy services covered under insurance, a mental health diagnosis must be made. Therefore, some of our clients choose to pay out of pocket for their services. Also, some clients choose not to involve their insurance so that they may be able to maintain a higher level of control over how many sessions they have per week / month, what types of sessions and where their sessions are held. Insurance companies often limit the number of sessions and some companies may not cover couples or relationship therapy. You may opt out of utilizing your insurance if you prefer by simply filling out a form. We respect your choice and will work with you regarding what you decide is best.

○ By paying privately or out of pocket, your records are exempt from insurance reporting. We are able to assure private pay clients the highest degree of privacy, flexibility, & control of their mental health record allowed by Florida state law. At Bella Mental Health Services, we work collaboratively with our clients to decide how often you should attend therapy and you decide what you want to focus on.

○ This allows you to have the control, not the insurance company.

At this time, our sliding scale list is full. However, we may have reduced rates for student interns and life coach. Please ask admin staff if this is available.

Our self-pay options for therapy range from $125-$175 per 50-minute session. Our student intern rate is $35 per session and life coach is $60 per session.

LMHC level therapist is licensed with the State of Florida as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. They have a minimum of a Masters degree in psychology or counseling, have completed an internship, passed the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam, and completed at least 2 years post masters clinical hours under a Board Certified qualified supervisor.

LCSW therapist is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. They have a minimum of a Masters degree in Social Work, completed an internship, passed the National Clinical exam for Social Workers, and completed at least 2 years post masters clinical social work hours under a Board Certified qualified supervisor.

LMFT therapist is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. They have a minimum of a Masters degree in marriage and family counseling, completed an internship, passed the National exam for Marriage and Family Therapists, and completed at least 2 years of post masters marriage and family therapy under a Board Certified qualified supervisor.

A Registered Mental Health Clinical Intern is registered with the State of Florida while completing their post masters clinical hours under a Board Certified Qualified Supervisor. They have a minimum of a Masters degree in psychology, counseling or social work, completed their internship, and gathering face-to-face clinical hours to obtain their full licensure. These individuals may have many years of experience in counseling and just waiting to complete their National Exam and complete supervision hours.

Yes. Please remember our therapist and medication management team block out appointment times for each patient. If you do not call within 24 hours to reschedule/cancel appointment, you will be charged a $75 cancellation fee.

No. We only bill primary insurance. However, you are welcome to submit your statements to your secondary insurance for reimbursement.

LIMITS ON CONFIDENTIALITY

The law protects the privacy of all communication between a patient and a therapist. In most situations, I can only release information about your treatment to others if you sign a written authorization form that meets certain legal requirements imposed by HIPAA. There are some situations where I am permitted or required to disclose information without either your consent or authorization. If such a situation arises, I will limit my disclosure to what is necessary. Reasons I may have to release your information without authorization:

1. If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for information concerning your diagnosis and treatment, such information is protected by the psychologist-patient privilege law. I cannot provide any information without your (or your legal representative's) written authorization, or a court order, or if I receive a subpoena of which you have been properly notified and you have failed to inform me that you oppose the subpoena. If you are involved in or contemplating litigation, you should consult with an attorney to determine whether a court would be likely to order me to disclose information.

2. If a government agency is requesting the information for health oversight activities, within its appropriate legal authority, I may be required to provide it for them.

3. If a patient files a complaint or lawsuit against me, I may disclose relevant information regarding that patient in order to defend myself.

4. If a patient files a worker's compensation claim, and I am providing necessary treatment related to that claim, I must, upon appropriate request, submit treatment reports to the appropriate parties, including the patient's employer, the insurance carrier or an authorized qualified rehabilitation provider.

5. I may disclose the minimum necessary health information to my business associates that perform functions on our behalf or provide us with services if the information is necessary for such functions or services. My business associates sign agreements to protect the privacy of your information and are not allowed to use or disclose any information other than as specified in our contract.

There are some situations in which I am legally obligated to take actions, which I believe are necessary to attempt to protect others from harm, and I may have to reveal some information about a patient's treatment:

1. If I know, or have reason to suspect, that a child under 18 has been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or any other person responsible for the child's welfare, the law requires that I file a report with the Florida Abuse Hotline. Once such a report is filed, I may be required to provide additional information.

2. If I know or have reasonable cause to suspect that a vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited, the law requires that I file a report with the Florida Abuse Hotline. Once such a report is filed, I may be required to provide additional information.

3. If I believe that there is a clear and immediate probability of physical harm to the patient, to other individuals, or to society, I may be required to disclose information to take protective action, including communicating the information to the potential victim, and/or appropriate family member, and/or the police or to seek hospitalization of the patient.

CLIENT RIGHTS AND THERAPIST DUTIES

Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information:

● For Treatment – I use and disclose your health information internally in the course of your treatment. If I wish to provide information outside of our practice for your treatment by another health care provider, I will have you sign an authorization for release of information. Furthermore, an authorization is required for most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes.

● For Payment – I may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for services provided to you as delineated in the Therapy Agreement.

● For Operations – I may use and disclose your health information as part of our internal operations. For example, this could mean a review of records to assure quality. I may also use your information to tell you about services, educational activities, and programs that I feel might be of interest to you.

Patient's Rights:

● Right to Treatment – You have the right to ethical treatment without discrimination regarding race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability status, age, or any other protected category.

● Right to Confidentiality – You have the right to have your health care information protected. If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health insurer. I will agree to such unless a law requires us to share that information.

● Right to Request Restrictions – You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of protected health information about you. However, I am not required to agree to a restriction you request.

● Right to Receive Confidential Communications by Alternative Means and at Alternative Locations – You have the right to request and receive confidential communications of PHI by alternative means and at alternative locations.

● Right to Inspect and Copy – You have the right to inspect or obtain a copy (or both) of PHI. Records must be requested in writing and release of information must be completed. Furthermore, there is a copying fee charge of $1.00 per page. Please make your request well in advance and allow 2 weeks to receive the copies. If I refuse your request for access to your records, you have a right of review, which I will discuss with you upon request.

● Right to Amend – If you believe the information in your records is incorrect and/or missing important information, you can ask us to make certain changes, also known as amending, to your health information. You have to make this request in writing. You must tell us the reasons you want to make these changes, and I will decide if it is and if I refuse to do so, I will tell you why within 60 days.

● Right to a Copy of This Notice – If you received the paperwork electronically, you have a copy in your email. If you completed this paperwork in the office at your first session a copy will be provided to you per your request or at any time.

● Right to an Accounting – You generally have the right to receive an accounting of disclosures of PHI regarding you. On your request, I will discuss with you the details of the accounting process.

● Right to Choose Someone to Act for You – If someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information; I will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before I take any action.

● Right to Choose – You have the right to decide not to receive services with me. If you wish, I will provide you with names of other qualified professionals.

● Right to Terminate – You have the right to terminate therapeutic services with me at any time without any legal or financial obligations other than those already accrued. I ask that you discuss your decision with me in session before terminating or at least contact me by phone letting me know you are terminating services.

● Right to Release Information with Written Consent – With your written consent, any part of your record can be released to any person or agency you designate. Together, we will discuss whether or not I think releasing the information in question to that person or agency might be harmful to you.

If you are concerned that I have violated your privacy rights, or you disagree with a decision I made about access to your records, you may contact me, the State of Florida Department of Health, or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.