Fees and First Steps

First Step: Issue and Availability

The first step is to briefly discuss your situation by phone at no charge, so I can understand your counseling needs and other factors. If we are a "fit" for each other, we will move forward.

The next step is to set up an initial consultation appointment where we will talk in person.  

If we move beyond the in-person consultation session, we will meet for up to four sessions minimum, to insure that you have good results. (Couples counseling requires the total of four sessions after the consultation as there are many factors that contribute to or affect your relationship.) I will talk with you about the current problems you are having as well as issues from your past.

To get started, let me know the best time to reach you on my voice mail. Because I am often in session, I do not answer my phone directly.

To review: We speak briefly by phone. Once we have determined that an initial appointment should be set up, we find a time and then if insurance is used it is verified by my billing person prior to the initial appointment. I hope this is helpful to you.

Availability

I offer evening and lunch hour appointments for convenience as they are available. My number is 541-326-1696, I return calls during the business day and during any longer break when I am not in session.

Please leave a message with the best time to reach you, number to call and if it is OK to leave a message at your number. That will help me quickly reach you. I am often in session and cannot answer the phone directly.

Second Step: Deciding Payment Method

There are many factors that contribute to selection of a payment method for counseling.

Insurance Privacy or Denial of Therapy/Payment Concerns:

• Requires that I give you a medical diagnosis.
• Insurance companies do pass on medical diagnosis as part of your medical file and may later deny self-employment or long-term care disability insurance or other state benefits.
• More disclosure of your personal information of Your file or Behavioral Health Treatment plans can be requested for payment
• Some insurance policies have high premiums, deductibles and/or co-payments, and many managed care policies allow you only a limited number of sessions.
• Many insurance companies do not approve couples or marital therapy treatment, missed sessions or phone consultation in their reimbursement.

Insurance Payment Benefits:

• Pays for some or all of the counseling benefit when in the counselors office

Option 1: Private Pay or Self-Payment

Many people decide to pay for therapy from their own financial resources. I offer payment by cash, check or credit card for maximum flexibility. I will let you know my current fee when you call if you are not using insurance. 

The Psychotherapy Guild explains many ways to get reimbursement or tax benefits when self-payment is used for psychotherapy. Cafeteria Benefits Program, Medical Savings Account (MSA) and Flexible Medical Spending Account (Flex Account) may be options through your employer or your own corporation.

If self-payment for therapy seems too difficult because none of the options above are available to you or because you have limited financial resources, discuss your concerns openly with Barbara Massey LMFT. 

Option 2: Insurance and Insurance Verification

I am covered by many insurance plans. Some plans list me by my name, and some do not list me but still offer a benefit including out of network benefits. (Therefore I may be covered even if you have checked a list or called your insurance person.)

I offer insurance verification once we have determined an appointment will be set. There are many, many variations to each insurance companies plan so I cannot determine ahead of time in all cases what will be covered.

My insurance person requests your date for the appointment and then processes the verification prior to that date. You may request a copy of this when you come to the first session or that I contact you prior to the session to know if you will pay more than a small co-pay.

I am not a Oregon Health Plan provider, nor do they provide marriage/couples counseling. Call Jackson County Mental Health directly with your questions.

Third Step: The First Appointment

Welcome! Once we have decided that we are a "fit" to work together, what issues you want to address, what you intend to change, you will have a brief idea how counseling will proceed.

To help you most effectively at the first session I ask that you complete the two pages of the Adult Intake Form and bring it to the first session 15 minutes before your appointment time. I will have a clipboard in my waiting area for you to read my current Policies and Procedures. I will then review your form before we start the session. This allows us to use the full 50 minutes I have booked for your first appointment.

In your appointment, please do not hesitate to bring up any concerns you may have. As each of us work our parts of counseling, it will work for increased hope, joy and connection.