Managed Care
1. Although your therapist will do his/her utmost to maintain confidentiality, privacy is compromised. When you utilize most insurance your therapist will be required to provide detailed information about your history and symptoms.
2. Choice of therapist may be limited. Most managed care plans will require you to use a therapist on their provider list.
3. Medical necessity is the only criteria considered for authorization of payment. Medical necessity is defined as having symptoms of psychiatric/ emotional disorder. The decision of medical necessity is often determined by the managed care company.
Decisions about your treatment may be made by an administrator who knows little about mental health and treatment.
4. Managed Care companies which generally insist on a brief treatment model, may limit the length of treatment.
Self-Pay
1. Privacy is protected. Personal information is kept strictly confidential. Your information stays in the therapist’s office and is not in an insurance company database.
2. You choose your own therapist. You have total freedom of choice.
3. Treatment decisions are a collaboration between the client and the therapist only. There is no one to deny the therapy or a goal that you want because the managed care company deems it “not medically necessary”.
You will make treatment decisions in consultation with your therapist.
