No Surprise Act
Starting January 1, 2022, laws regulating client care have been updated by the Federal Government to include the “No Surprises” act, which requires health care providers to give current and potential future clients a “Good Faith Estimate” (GFE) on the cost of medical or other healthcare treatment.
Starting January 1, 2022, a health care provider must furnish a self-pay patient with the notice and GFE prior to all scheduled services or by request if the patient is shopping for care (and not yet at the point of scheduling). This includes, but is not limited to, office visits, therapy, diagnostic tests, infusions, and surgeries.
Who Qualifies as a Self-Pay Client?
A provider’s duty to provide notice and a GFE applies to self-pay patients, e.g., an individual who:
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does not have insurance benefits for an item or service under a group health plan, group or individual health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer, federal healthcare program, or a health benefit plan;
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chooses not to use his or her coverage benefit for the item or service.
In a lot of ways, this new law is very helpful and forward thinking as it protects medical patients from discovering, after they receive care, that they owe a large medical bill for un-covered services.
This makes sense from a medical or physical health point of view. There have been stories of a patients going bankrupt after finding out that their insurance doesn’t cover some services or providers. For example, if an out-of-network provider gives care at an in-network hospital, the medical patient could end up with a large and excessive out-of-pocket expense that comes as a total surprise.
However, therapy is a little different in that we can’t necessarily provide an estimate of how long it takes to treat anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, depression, ADHD/ADD, trauma, PTSD, marriage counseling, family conflict, or other challenges.
There are a number of factors that make it nearly impossible to quantify what will be needed in a mental healthcare setting. And there is no way to foresee and give a “good faith estimate” on whether or not a client will want to return for a “tune-up”
While this new Federal Law largely applies to medical health providers, as mental health providers, we are also required to implement this law. In attempts to seek specifics on how this law is applied to quantifiable treatments, like medical treatments, compared to unquantifiable treatments, like mental health care, I’ve been unable at this point, to get clarification.
As a practice, we have always practiced transparency on the cost of treatment. Our rates are on our website for each therapist and service. Our rates are also on our FAQ page. We review the rates during the first, initial phone call and our rates are also in our “Consent, Policies, & Agreement” form we send to new clients.
Your Right to a Good Faith Estimate
Under the law, health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.
You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service, or at any time during treatment.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, or how to dispute a bill, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
What People Are Saying About Their Experience at Katy Teen & Family Counseling
Just like when we experience a physical ailment, we find a specialist in the field of medicine to heal our physical ailment. Therapy for teens, young adults, families, and couples is very similar.
You don't have to carry around the heavy burden that emotional or behavioral challenge bring to bear in one's life. At Katy Teen & Family Counseling, we have a combined 70+ years of experience in helping teens, young adults, families, and couples heal the emotional or behavioral challenge they face.
Removing the emotional or behavioral challenges in your life can be life changing. Take the time and resources to take care of you! We are excited and eager to help.
Below are a few of the reviews that former clients have left related to the quality of service they have received at Katy Teen & Family Counseling:
"Jason is a rare breed. He truly cares about the families he counsels. He compassionately seeks to understand while withholding judgement. He is an ally to your family’s needs, and I would recommend him to anyone who is seeking therapy."
Former Client -- Kathy J.
"Teen years can be difficult and full of anxiety for the entire family. I am so glad that I brought my teens and family to see Jason Drake. He is an outstanding therapist. He is easy to talk to and we always left with a better perspective and tips for improving the issues we were struggling with. I highly recommend his practice to everyone."
Former Client -- Stephanie F.
"We were suddenly in a position where our lives had quite literally been turned upside down by a quick, bad decision that our teenage son had made, and we needed to find someone for our son to not only talk to, but to really feel comfortable with and open up with. Quique was a Godsend. Not only did my husband and I feel comfortable with him immediately, our son did as well.
To be able to quickly engage and put people at ease and let the communication flow from the start, it was, and continues to be, a gift. Kids lives are so complicated these days, and it’s so important for them to feel heard and valued and understood, as that is when they will open up and be able to learn from their mistakes and grow. We appreciate that Quique is all of this and more. We are truly grateful."
Former Client - Brooke Sisan
Services Provided at Katy Teen & Family Counseling
At Katy Teen & Family Counseling, we provide individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy. We utilize those therapeutic approaches that have been supported by research, shown to be effective, and in the least amount of time.
In addition to teen therapy, young adult counseling, family therapy, & group therapy, we also provide couples therapy and marriage counseling. Your relationship you worked hard for over the years can be helped through couples therapy and marriage counseling.
Couples therapy and marriage counseling tend to take less time than individual therapy as well. Usually, a course of therapy would take between 3-4 months. Your relationship is worth it!
Below are some of the therapeutic approaches that we use when providing therapy and counseling services to teens, young adults, families, and couples.
Neurofeedback
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)