Navigating the Financial Side of Healing: A Guide to Insurance, Co-pays, and Private Pay
Taking the first step toward therapy is a major milestone. However, we know that once you decide to seek support, the "logistics" of insurance and payments can feel overwhelming. At Leeway Counseling Collective, we believe that understanding your investment should be as transparent as possible so you can focus on what matters most: your well-being.
Whether you are using insurance, paying out-of-pocket, or hoping to use out-of-network benefits, here is everything you need to know about navigating the process with us.
1. Using Your Insurance (In-Network)
For residents of California, we currently partner with Headway to accept the following insurance plans:
Aetna
Anthem Blue Cross of California (including UC SHIP for students—remember to obtain your referral first!)
Quest Behavioral Health
How it works: When you use in-network insurance, you are typically responsible for a co-pay at the time of your session. This is a fixed amount determined by your insurance provider (typically ranging from $10 to $60). Your insurance then covers the remainder of the session fee.
Tip: You can use your Credit Card, FSA (Flexible Spending Account), or HSA (Health Savings Account) to cover these costs through the Headway portal.
2. The "Private Pay" Option (Cash Pay)
Many clients choose not to use insurance for increased privacy, to avoid a required diagnosis, or because they reside in Oregon (where we are currently out-of-network).
Our Standard Rates:
Comprehensive Clinical Intake: $190 (55 mins)
Ongoing Individual Therapy: $190 (50–55 mins) or $145 (45 mins)
Why choose Private Pay? It allows for the highest level of flexibility and confidentiality, as your records and diagnosis are not shared with an insurance company.
We believe that resilience shouldn't be reserved for those with a high budget. To help bridge the gap, we reserve a limited number of sliding scale slots for individuals experiencing financial hardship.
Availability: These slots are available upon request and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to apply: If our standard rates are a barrier for you, please bring this up during your consultation call.
3. What is a Superbill? (Out-of-Network Benefits)
If you have a PPO insurance plan that we don’t directly accept, you may still be able to get reimbursed for a portion of your therapy costs. This is where a Superbill comes in.
A Superbill is a detailed receipt that lists the dates of service, the type of therapy, and a diagnosis code.
Step 1: You pay the full session fee upfront.
Step 2: We provide you with a Superbill upon request.
Step 3: You submit that document to your insurance company.
Step 4: Depending on your plan’s "out-of-network" coverage, the insurance company may mail you a check for a percentage of the fee.
Note: We recommend calling your insurance provider and asking, "Do I have out-of-network benefits for mental health (CPT code 90837)?"
4. Important Policies to Remember
To respect the time of both our therapist and other clients waiting for care, we have a few standard billing policies:
24-Hour Cancellation: Please provide at least 24 hours' notice if you need to reschedule. Late cancellations or "no-shows" are charged the full session fee.
Good Faith Estimate: For self-pay clients, you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost under the No Surprises Act.
Your Peace of Mind Matters
We don't want the fear of "fine print" to stand in the way of your resilience and growth. If you have questions about which path is right for you, we invite you to book a complimentary 15-minute exploration call. We can discuss your goals and help you gain clarity on the logistics so you can move forward with confidence.
Ready to begin? Contact us today to schedule your first session.