Frequently Asked Questions
Virtual performance consulting for athletes across the globe
Teletherapy for athletes in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Utah, and Arizona
FAQs about Billing
Can I use my insurance benefits to pay for therapy?
If your insurance plan only covers services from in-network providers, then no, your insurance will not cover the fee for my services. If your insurance plan has out-of-network benefits, your insurance may cover some of the cost of therapy. Either way, you are responsible for payment at the time of service. If you have out-of-network benefits, I can provide you with a superbill that you will submit to your insurance company. Your insurance company will then reimburse you. Your insurance company will never cover consultation.
Is there a way to get my insurance company to cover your services?
During your insurance company’s open enrollment period, look at the different plans. You may find that upgrading to a higher plan that covers some of the cost of out-of-network benefits will actually save you money if you plan to engage in regular therapy during the upcoming year. Consulting is never covered by insurance.
This is a big financial commitment for me. What if I try it and I regret it? I am nervous that we won't be a good fit.
The best way to get a sense of if you think I am a good fit for you is by getting to know as much as you can about me ahead of time. Do your research by reading through the content on this website and at my other sites like aspirefamilycounseling.com and kellyfurr.com. If you get a good vibe, chances are we’ll work well together.
Can I use my Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits?
I do not have any general contracts with EAPs. You can contact your EAP to see if they are willing to negotiate a single case agreement with me at my rates. For example, if your EAP typically provides 10 free sessions per year and contracts with providers at a $60/hour session rate for a total of $600 worth of coverage, they may be willing to sign a single case agreement with me to pay my $150/hour session rate for 4 sessions for the same total payout of $600. They may be more willing to do this for you if you can explain that I am a specialist in the area of expertise that you require (i.e. I work with athletes.). EAPs would only cover therapy, not consultation.
What is a superbill?
A superbill is an itemized document that your healthcare provider (me) can give to you. Then you submit the superbill to your insurance company for reimbursement. For example, if your plan covers 60% of out-of-network costs, you would pay me the full fee of $150/session at the time of service. I would provide you with a superbill that you would submit to your insurance company. Your insurance company would reimburse you $90 (60% of $150), leaving you with an out-of-pocket cost of $60/session. Superbills can only be used for therapy, not consultation.
Can I use my Health Savings Account to pay for therapy?
Yes. You can use your HSA debit card to pay for therapy. Check with your HSA, but generally, no, you cannot use it to pay for consultation or coaching.
How can I find out whether my insurance plan will help me cover the cost of therapy?
I strongly recommend that you contact your insurance company before beginning treatment to see if you have out-of-network benefits and to understand how they work. Contact the customer service number on the back of your insurance card and they will be able to explain your coverage to you. Ask what percentage of an out-of-network bill they cover. Ask if you have an out-of-network deductible and how this may affect your coverage, if at all. If you do have out-of-network benefits, ask how to submit a superbill from an out-of-network provider. Ask how long it takes to receive reimbursement.
You can ask your insurance company whether they cover the following codes:
90791-initial intake appointment
90834-individual therapy for 45-50 minutes
90847-couples counseling/family therapy
The following codes are less common but may also be used
90846-parent consult/family therapy-patient not present
90832- individual therapy for 25 minutes
I encourage you to become educated about your benefits, however, you are ultimately responsible for payment for services. I cannot guarantee that your insurance company will reimburse you and do not offer refunds or discounts if you have a misunderstanding with your insurance company or if they refuse to reimburse you. It can seem like an intimidating process, but once you figure it out, it can be a great way to help cover the cost of your treatment.
Why do you charge a no-show/late cancellation fee?
I respect my time, your time, and the time of other clients. By having a strong incentive to show up when you say you will, you are more likely to keep your appointments and make steady progress. I understand that life gets busy and when you provide plenty of notice, I can offer the appointment time to other clients who may be on a wait-list and are happy to take your spot. My no-show/late cancellation fee is half the cost of the service.
FAQs about Scheduling
Do I have to call or email you before making an appointment?
No. I understand that people are often searching for a performance consultant or therapist during non-business hours. Feel free to make an appointment anytime by visiting the Client Portal or by clicking on the “Book A Session” button that is at the top of the page.
How do I book an appointment?
You book through the Client Portal. Once you are an established client, we can schedule at the end of your session, or set up recurring appointments.
I share custody of my teenager. Do both parents have to sign the consent forms for treatment?
Yes, if the parents of the child are not married, both parents must sign the consent for treatment forms. Alternatively, you can provide a copy of the legal documents that grant you sole custody or that show that you have sole authority to make medical decisions for your child. While performance consultation is not a medical decision, I prefer to keep both parents in the loop.
What teleconferencing platform do you use?
I use Simple Practice, which is a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. Before the session, you will be emailed a link to the appointment. I recommend doing the session on your computer, but you can also download the free “Telehealth by Simple Practice” app if you need to use your phone.
What do I need to do to prepare for the session?
I recommend logging into the meeting a few minutes before the session. Do your best to meet in a room with good lighting so I can see your face clearly. If you’re choosing me as your performance consultant or teletherapy provider, you’re probably already comfortable with teleconferencing, but if not, test your internet and audio to make sure everything is working properly. If you’re doing an individual session, headphones or earbuds can improve the audio quality. Make sure you have a place you can meet alone and without interruption. If you are doing the session on your phone, download the app “Telehealth by Simple Practice” and make sure it works on your phone.
What type of appointment should I book for the first appointment?
For therapy, you should book “Intake (First Appointment, All Ages)”. Once you begin the process, it will prompt you to specify whether the appointment is for you, someone else (like your teen), or for you and your partner. You can also book a 25-minute parent consult for therapy without your athlete if you want to have a private discussion ahead of time. For consulting, make sure you are choosing a consulting appointment rather than therapy. Start with a 50-minute session unless you are doing a 25-minute parent consult first.
What happens after I book a session? Are there forms I need to fill out?
Yes. After you schedule an appointment, You will receive an email prompting you to complete the intake paperwork. You must have your paperwork completed before the appointment in order to be seen. I highly recommend filling these forms out a few days before your appointment, if possible, so you have time to email me if you have any questions about the documents. Allow yourself about 20-30 minutes to complete the forms. These forms help me get to know about you and the issues bringing you to performance consulting or therapy before we meet.
Do you charge a no-show or late cancellation fee?
Yes. It is your responsibility to provide 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Otherwise, you will be responsible for half the cost of the service for a missed appointment. Your insurance company will not reimburse you for missed appointment fees. If you do not have your forms completed in time for your first appointment, I can assist you to complete them during the session time you have paid for, or you can reschedule last minute and pay half the cost of the session. Fill out your forms early to avoid the hassle and frustration of last-minute paperwork.
Why do you charge a no-show/late cancellation fee?
I respect my time, your time, and the time of other clients. By having a strong incentive to show up when you say you will, you are more likely to keep your appointments and make steady progress. I understand that life gets busy and when you provide plenty of notice, I can offer the appointment time to other clients who may be on a wait-list and are happy to take your spot.
I don't live in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Utah or Arizona. Can I still work with you?
Yes, you may work with me for performance consulting services. I only offer therapy services to people who are physically in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Utah, or Arizona at the time of the session due to licensure laws. Please visit my services page to learn the difference between consulting and therapy and see what is the best fit for you.
FAQs about Therapy
How often will I come to consultation or therapy?
That depends on the urgency you feel and your finances. Clients seeking therapy most commonly come every other week. Some people whose lives feel more turbulent come weekly. Others who have been with me for a while but still feel that an ongoing therapeutic relationship is helpful come once a month or less. The frequency with which we meet for performance consulting may be more related to if you are in or out of season, how busy you are, and how much follow-up you feel like you need as you work on your goals.
Can I bring my parent/partner/coach/teammate to my consultation or therapy appointment?
Yes. The primary focus will be on you and the issues and goals that you present, but sometimes having a supportive person with you can make the process seem less intimidating. If your relationship with someone is part of the problem, we can talk about whether and how to include them at some point in future sessions.
Will you give me homework to work on between sessions?
That’s entirely up to you. Some people are task and efficiency-oriented and want to get as much done, as quickly as possible. For others, just showing up to the appointment is difficult enough and they don’t want to have to do much in between. I like to read and I may recommend a book to you, but if you’re not a reader and you feel like that’s what you’re paying me the big bucks for–to read and summarize in session, that works too. I’ll follow your lead.
I'm not an athlete, but you seem like a good therapist and consultant, can I still work with you?
Absolutely. I work with plenty of clients who are not athletes. To learn more about my general practice, visit my website for Aspire Family Counseling. You can book consultation or therapy services through my client portal on either website. They lead to the same place.