In order to use health insurance to pay for psychotherapy, it must be determined that therapy is medically necessary. This means that if you choose to use insurance I will do a assessment with standard measures, talk with you about a diagnosis (ex. Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, etc.) and therapy will focus on symptom reduction/ resolution, as in all medical care. This is standard any time you use your insurance benefits to pay for mental health care.

​

For many people, having a mental health diagnosis in their health record is not a concern or the benefit of using insurance outweighs that concern. Other people prefer to not have a diagnosis and pay for therapy without using insurance. This is an option you are free to discuss with me. Naming mental health conditions through diagnosis can be helpful insofar as it helps guide treatment. Some people find being able to name the set of symptoms they're experiencing can be clarifying-- much as with a physical condition. Through our work together we will be looking at "symptoms" but also the conditions that created them.

​

If you do choose to use health insurance to help with the cost of your sessions here are some questions to ask your insurance company when checking on your mental health counseling benefits:

​

• Do I have mental health insurance benefits?

• What is the amount of my deductible, and has it been met?

• How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?

• Can I use an out-of-network provider?

• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?

• Do I have a copay or coinsurance amount that I'm responsible for?

• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

 

My provider info:

Name: Michele Scoleri, LMHC

License: WA LH 60825988

NPI #: 1669827747

​

Though I only accept a limited number of insurance plans (see Services page for current list), you may still be able to receive some reimbursement if you have out-network benefits with a plan I do not accept. The questions above will also be relevant for you in researching your options for any potential reimbursement. A "Super Bill" is essentially a detailed receipt provided to you by your therapist that is proof of your treatment. Please be aware that in this model you pay for sessions directly and seek reimbursement on your own. You are still required to have a mental health diagnosis if you are seeking any type of reimbursement from insurance. 

​

Please feel free to ask me at our initial phone consult if you have any other questions about using insurance for counseling.