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Frequently Asked Questions

Insurance Questions

Concerned with finances?

 I understand that financial circumstances can sometimes make accessing therapy challenging. I'm committed to working with you to find solutions that fit your budget without compromising your mental health care. Please don't hesitate to discuss any financial concerns you may have, and we can explore options together.

What is the process?

1. I use Grow therapy to process self pay clients please select the link below.

 2.  You will be routed to my provider portal where you will have access to  your own HIPAA-compliant secure portal where you can make appointments or reschedule.

3. You will be given the option to schedule an appointment time that works for you

4. Enter your information,  select if you will be using insurance, or  cash pay.  

5. Read and accept consent forms

6. Enter credit card to cover session fees, to handle copay, or any cancellation fee ($10 for no call no show within 24 of the appointment). 

Please read the cancellation policy at the bottom of the page.

 

 What should I know about therapy?​​

Therapy sessions are typically weekly 45 to 60 min.  The number of sessions will be determined based on your needs,  It is difficult to initially predict how many sessions will be needed.  We will collaboratively discuss from session to session what the next steps are and how often therapy sessions should occur.

Payment Options

Headway
Provider Portal link 

Accepted Insurance

  1. Aetna
  2. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass.
  3. Cigna
  4. Oscar Health
  5. Oxford
  6. United Healthcare Medicare Advantage
  7. Carelon Behavioral
  8. Quest Behavioral​

Grow Therapy Provider Portal link

Accepted Insurance
Cash $100 session Sliding fee scale available
  1. Aetna & Aetna Medicre
  2. All Savers
  3. Ambetter
  4. Anthem
  5. AvMed
  6. Blue Cross Blue Shield
  7. FL Blue
  8. EAP:UnitedHealthcare/optum/Cigna/Evernorth
  9. Harvard Pilgrim/ UHC Optum
  10. Humana/ Humana Medicare
  11. Golden Rule
  12. Optum, OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
  13. Oscar
  14. Oxford
  15.  Surest (formerly Bind)
  16. Tufts Health/ Cigna
  17. United Medical Resources
  18. UnitedHealth Life Insurance
  19. UniteHealthcare Shared Services
  20. United Healthcare StudentResources
  21. UnitedHealthcare/Optum-Medicaid & Medicare
  22. Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
  23. Medicare

Additional Provider Portal

You can also find me in these provider portal

Accepted insurance provider

Rula

  1. Aetna,

  2. Allied,

  3. Aetna

  4. Employee Benefit Management Services (EBMS)

  5.  First Health Network

  6.  Meritain, Luminare Health (formerly Trustmark)

  7. WebTPA

  8.  Carelon Behavioral Health

  9. Providence Health Plan (Carelon Behavioral Health)

  10.  Allegiance

  11.  Centivo

  12. Cigna, Evernorth

  13.  Ascension-SmartHealth

  14.  Decent and Ochsner Employer Groups

Accepted insurance

Uplift

  1. Aetna

  2. Cigna

  3. FloridaBlue

  4. UnitedHealthcare

  5. GEHA

  6. Hopkins - EHP

  7. Hopkins - USFHP

  8. Optum

  9. UHCSR

  10. UMR

Accepted Insurance

SonderMind

  1. Aetna

  2. Aetna

  3. Aetna Allied Benefit System

  4. Aetna Gravie

  5. Aetna Marpai

  6. Aetna Meritain

  7. Aetna WebTPA

  8. Cigna

  9. Cigna A2

  10. Cigna-EAP

  11. ClaimDOC

  12. Corporate Counseling Associates Inc.

  13. Decent

  14. OccuNet

  15. Partners Direct

  16. United Health Care

  17. Optum VA

  18. Optum/United-EAP

  19. Oscar Health Plan

  20. United All Savers

  21. United GEHA/Shared Services

  22. United Healthcare

  23. United Healthcare Golden Rule

  24. United Oxford

  25. United Student Resources

  26. United Surest

  27. United UMR

  28. Unity Preferred Network

  29. Unity Preferred Workers Comp

  30. VNPN

  31. Velocity National Provider Network

  32. Velocity National Provider Network Workers Comp

Special Deals

Cash Pay clients discount for 1 month at $85 per session 

Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) Client Rights & Therapist Duties This document contains important information about federal law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), that provides privacy protections and patient rights with regard to the use and disclosure of your Protected Health Information (PHI) used for the purpose of treatment, payment, and health care operations. HIPAA requires that LCSW Raquel, LLC provides you with a Notice of Privacy Practices (the Notice) for use and disclosure of PHI for treatment, payment and health care operations. The Notice, is available for download on the website, is supplemental to this Agreement, explains HIPAA and its application to your PHI in greater detail. The law requires that LCSW Raquel, LLC obtains your acknowledgement that we have provided you with this. If you have any questions, it is your right and obligation to ask so we can have a further discussion prior to your agreement of this document. When you virtually acknowledge this document, it will also represent an agreement between us. You may revoke this Agreement in writing at any time. That revocation will be binding unless LCSW Raquel, LLC has taken action in reliance on it. LIMITS ON CONFIDENTIALITY The law protects the privacy of all communication between a patient and a therapist. In most situations, we can only release information about your treatment to others if you sign a written authorization form that meets certain legal requirements imposed by HIPAA. There are some situations where we are permitted or required to disclose information without either your consent or authorization. If such a situation arises, we will limit my disclosure to what is necessary. Reasons we may have to release your information without authorization: 1. If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for information concerning your diagnosis and treatment, such information is protected by the psychologist-patient privilege law. We cannot provide any information without your (or your legal representative's) written authorization, or a court order, or if we receive a subpoena of which you have been properly notified and you have failed to inform me that you oppose the subpoena. If you are involved in or contemplating litigation, you should consult with an attorney to determine whether a court would be likely to order me to disclose information. 2. If a government agency is requesting the information for health oversight activities, within its appropriate legal authority, we may be required to provide it for them. 3. If a patient files a complaint or lawsuit against LCSW Raquel, LLC., we may disclose relevant information regarding that patient in order to defend against the complaint. 4. If a patient files a worker's compensation claim, and we are providing necessary treatment related to that claim, we must, upon appropriate request, submit treatment reports to the appropriate parties, including the patient's employer, the insurance carrier or an authorized qualified rehabilitation provider. 5. We may disclose the minimum necessary health information to our business associates that perform functions on our behalf or provide us with services if the information is necessary for such functions or services. Our business associates sign agreements to protect the privacy of your information and are not allowed to use or disclose any information other than as specified in our contract. There are some situations in which we are legally obligated to take actions, which we believe are necessary to attempt to protect others from harm, and we may have to reveal some information about a patient's treatment: 1. If we know, or have reason to suspect, that a child under 18 has been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or any other person responsible for the child's welfare, the law requires that I file a report with the Florida Abuse Hotline. Once such a report is filed, we may be required to provide additional information. 2. If we know or have reasonable cause to suspect, that a vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited, the law requires that we file a report with the Florida Abuse Hotline. Once such a report is filed, we may be required to provide additional information. 3. If we believe that there is a clear and immediate probability of physical harm to the patient, to other individuals, or to society, we may be required to disclose information to take protective action, including communicating the information to the potential victim, and/or appropriate family member, and/or the police or to seek hospitalization of the patient. CLIENT RIGHTS AND THERAPIST DUTIES Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information: ● For Treatment – We use and disclose your health information internally in the course of your treatment. If we wish to provide information outside of our practice for your treatment by another health care provider, we will have you sign an authorization for release of information. Furthermore, an authorization is required for most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes. ● For Payment – We may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for services provided to you as delineated in the Therapy Agreement. ● For Operations – We may use and disclose your health information as part of our internal operations. For example, this could mean a review of records to assure quality. We may also use your information to tell you about services, educational activities, and programs that I feel might be of interest to you. Patient's Rights: ● Right to Treatment – You have the right to ethical treatment without discrimination regarding race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability status, age, or any other protected category. ● Right to Confidentiality – You have the right to have your health care information protected. If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health insurer. We will agree to such unless a law requires us to share that information. ● Right to Request Restrictions – You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of protected health information about you. However, we are not required to agree to a restriction you request. ● Right to Receive Confidential Communications by Alternative Means and at Alternative Locations – You have the right to request and receive confidential communications of PHI by alternative means and at alternative locations. ● Right to Inspect and Copy – You have the right to inspect or obtain a copy (or both) of PHI. Records must be requested in writing and release of information must be completed. Furthermore, there is a copying fee charge of $1.00 per page. Please make your request well in advanced and allow 2 weeks to receive the copies. If we refuse your request for access to your records, you have a right of review, which we will discuss with you upon request. ● Right to Amend – If you believe the information in your records is incorrect and/or missing important information, you can ask us to make certain changes, also known as amending, to your health information. You have to make this request in writing. You must tell us the reasons you want to make these changes, and we will decide if it is and if we refuse to do so, we will tell you why within 60 days. ● Right to an Accounting – You generally have the right to receive an accounting of disclosures of PHI regarding you. On your request, we will discuss with you the details of the accounting process. ● Right to Choose Someone to Act for You – If someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information; we will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any action. ● Right to Choose – You have the right to decide not to receive services with me. If you wish, we will provide you with names of other qualified professionals. ● Right to Terminate – You have the right to terminate therapeutic services with me at any time without any legal or financial obligations other than those already accrued. We ask that you discuss your decision with me in session before terminating, or at least contact me by phone letting me know you are terminating services. ● Right to Release Information with Written Consent – With your written consent, any part of your record can be released to any person or agency you designate. Together, we will discuss whether or not we think releasing the information in question to that person or agency might be harmful to you. Therapist’s Duties: ● We are required by law to maintain the privacy of PHI and to provide you with a notice of my legal duties and privacy practices with respect to PHI. We reserve the right to change the privacy policies and practices described in this notice. Unless we notify you of such changes, however, I am required to abide by the terms currently in effect. If I revise my policies and procedures, I will provide you with a revised notice in office during our session. COMPLAINTS If you are concerned that your privacy rights have been violated, or you disagree with a decision made about access to your records, you may contact us, the State of Florida Department of Health, or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Privacy Policy

Therapy Consent, Policies & Agreement PART I: THERAPEUTIC PROCESS BENEFITS/OUTCOMES: The therapeutic process seeks to meet goals established by all persons involved, usually revolving around a specific complaint(s). Participating in therapy may include benefits such as the resolution of presenting problems as well as improved intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. The therapeutic process may reduce distress, enhance stress management, and increase one’s ability to cope with problems related to work, family, personal, relational, etc. Participating in therapy can lead to greater understanding of personal and relational goals and values. This can increase relational harmony and lead to greater happiness. Progress will be assessed on a regular basis and feedback from clients will be elicited to ensure the most effective therapeutic services are provided. There can be no guarantees made regarding the ultimate outcome of therapy. EXPECTATIONS: In order for clients to reach their therapeutic goals, it is essential they complete tasks assigned between sessions. Therapy is not a quick fix. It takes time and effort, and therefore, may move slower than your expectations. During the therapy process, we identify goals, review progress, and modify the treatment plan as needed. RISKS: In working to achieve therapeutic benefits, clients must take action to achieve desired results. Although change is inevitable, it can be uncomfortable at times. Resolving unpleasant events and making changes in relationship patterns may arouse unexpected emotional reactions. Seeking to resolve problems can similarly lead to discomfort as well as relational changes that may not be originally intended. We will work collaboratively toward a desirable outcome; however, it is possible that the goals of therapy may not be reached. STRUCTURE OF THERAPY: • Intake Phase – During the first session, therapeutic process, structure, policies and procedures will be discussed. We will also explore your experiences surrounding the presenting problem(s). • Assessment Phase – The initial evaluation may last 2-4 sessions. During this assessment phase, your therapist will be getting to know you. The therapist will ask questions to gain an understanding of your worldview, strengths, concerns, needs, relationship dynamics, etc. During this relationship building process, your therapist will be gathering a lot of information to aid in the therapeutic approach best suited for your needs and goals. If it is determined by your therapist that he/she is not the best fit for your therapeutic needs, he/she will provide referrals for more appropriate treatment. • Goal Development/Treatment Planning – After gathering background information, we will collaboratively identify your therapeutic goals. If therapy is court ordered, goals will encompass your goals and court ordered treatment goals, based on documentation from the court (please provide any court documents). Once each goal is reached, we will sign off on each goal and you will receive a copy. • Intervention Phase – This phase occurs anywhere from session two until graduation/discharge/termination. Each client must actively participate in therapy sessions, utilize solutions discussed, and complete assignments between sessions. Progress will be reviewed and goals adjusted as needed. • Graduation/Discharge/Termination – As you progress and get closer to completing goals, Therapy Consent, Policies & Agreement we will collaboratively discuss a transition plan for graduation/discharge/termination. LENGTH OF THERAPY: Therapy sessions are typically weekly or biweekly for approximately 45-60 minutes depending upon the nature of the presenting challenges and insurance authorizations. It is difficult to initially predict how many sessions will be needed. We will collaboratively discuss from session to session what the next steps are and how often therapy sessions will occur. APPOINTMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS: You are responsible for attending each appointment and agree to adhere to the following policy: If you cannot keep the scheduled appointment, you MUST notify our office to cancel or reschedule the appointment within 24 HOURS of the scheduled appointment time. You will be charged a $75 cancellation fee for any missed appointments or late cancellations. A credit card is required to be on file. If you cancel or rescheduled more than once, we may re-evaluate your needs, desires, and motivations for treatment at that time. Psychotherapy is a uniquely personal service; therefore, consultations may be briefly interrupted. Your therapist may periodically take time off for vacation, seminars, and/or become ill. Attempts will be made to give adequate notice of these events. If your therapist is unable to contact you directly, a colleague may contact you to cancel or reschedule an appointment. FEES: The fee for each 45-minute therapy session is self-pay rate or your insurance copay. Payment is due at scheduling time of service or when you purchase a plan. Acceptable forms of payment are by: credit/debit card, or if you are within network, through your insurance company. In the event that a scheduled appointment time is missed or cancelled more than 24 hours, please refer to the “Appointments and Cancellations” policy above. Please also refer to my calendar in order to book the next appointment that is convenient to you without penalty. TRIAL, COURT ORDERED APPEARANCES, LITIGATION: Rarely, but on occasion, a court will order a therapist to testify, be deposed, or appear in court for a matter relating to your treatment or case. In order to protect your confidentiality, we strongly suggest not being involved in the court. If your clinician gets called into court by you or your attorney, you will be charged a fee of $1000 to include travel time, court time, preparing documents, etc. This may vary if the testimony is outside my area of residence. COPIES OF MEDICAL RECORDS: Should you request a copy of your medical records; the cost is $1 per page. Payment for your medical records will be due prior to being mailed. Please allow at least 2 weeks to prepare medical records. PHONE CONTACTS AND EMERGENCIES: If you are experiencing an emergency, please contact 911 as we do not handle crisis. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. My office hours vary from day to day. If you need to contact the clinician for any reason, please call 904 563 5873, leave a voicemail, and a return call will be made within 24 Hours or as soon as possible. Therapy Consent, Policies & Agreement PART II: CONFIDENTIALITY: Anything said in therapy is confidential and may not be revealed to a third party without written authorization, except for the following limitations: • Child Abuse - Child abuse and/or neglect, which include but are not limited to domestic violence in the presence of a child, child on child sexual acting out/abuse, physical abuse, etc. If you reveal information about child abuse or child neglect, we are required by law to report this to the appropriate authority. • Vulnerable Adult Abuse – This includes vulnerable adult abuse or neglect. If information is revealed about vulnerable adult or elder abuse, we are required by law to report this to the appropriate authority. • Self-Harm: Threats, plans or attempts to harm oneself. We are permitted to take steps to protect the client’s safety, that may include disclosure of confidential information. • Harm to Others: Threats regarding harm to another person. If you threaten bodily harm or death to another person, I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authority. • Court Orders & Legal Issued Subpoenas: If we receive a subpoena for your records, we will contact you so you may take whatever steps you deem necessary to prevent the release of your confidential information. Your clinician will contact you twice by phone. If we cannot get in touch with you by phone, I will send you written correspondence. If a court of law issues a legitimate court order, we are required by law to provide the information specifically described in the order. Despite any attempts to contact you and keep your records confidential, we are required to comply with a court order. • Court Ordered Therapy: If therapy is court ordered, the court may request records or documentation of participation in services. We will discuss the information and/or documentation with you in session prior to sending it to the court. • Written Request: Clients must sign a release of information form before any information may be sent to a third party. A summary of visits may be given in lieu of actual “psychotherapy/process notes”, except if the third party related to medical treatment. If therapy sessions involve more than one person, each person over the age of 18 MUST sign the release of information before information is released. • Fee Disputes: In the case of a credit card dispute, LCSW Raquel, LLC reserves the right to provide the necessary documentation (i.e. your signature on the “Therapy Consent & Agreement”) that covers the cancellation policy to your bank or credit card company should a dispute of a charge occur. If there is a financial balance on account, a bill will be sent to the home address on the intake form unless otherwise noted. • Couples Counseling & “No Secret” Policy: When working with couples, all laws of confidentiality exist. We request that neither partner attempt to triangulate the clinician into keeping a “secret” that is detrimental to couple’s therapy goal. If one partner requests that the clinician keep a “secret” in confidence, your clinician may choose to end the therapeutic relationship and give referrals for other therapists as our work and your goals then become counter-productive. • Dual Relationships & Public: Our relationship is strictly professional. In order to preserve this relationship, it is imperative that there is no relationship outside of the counseling Therapy Consent, Policies & Agreement relationship (ie: social, business, or friendship). If we run into each other in a public setting, I will not acknowledge you as this would jeopardize confidentiality. If you were to acknowledge me, your confidentiality could be at risk. • Social Media: No friend requests on our personal social media outlets (Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) will be accepted from current or former clients. If you choose to comment on our professional social media pages or posts, you do so at your own risk and may breach confidentiality. LCSW Raquel, LLC cannot be held liable if someone identifies you as a client. Posts and information on social media are meant to be educational and should not replace therapy. You are reminded, Social Media platforms are not confidential, nor are they monitored. • Electronic Communication: If you need to contact your clinician outside of scheduled sessions, please do so via phone. Clients often use text or email as a convenient way to communicate in their personal lives. However, texting introduces unique challenges into the therapist–client relationship. Texting is not a substitute for sessions. Texting is not confidential. Phones can be lost or stolen. DO NOT communicate sensitive information over text. The identity of the person texting is unknown as someone else may have possession of the client’s phone. Similarly, do not use e-mail for emergencies. In the case of an emergency call 911, your local emergency hotline or go to the nearest emergency room. Additionally, e-mail is not a substitute for sessions. If you need to be seen, please book an appointment. Email is not confidential. Do not communicate sensitive medical or mental health information via email. Furthermore, if you send email from a work computer, your employer has the legal right to read it. E-mails would become part of your medical record and is not advisable. • Sessions Outside the Office: From time to time, clients like to meet in an alternate location (i.e. their home, in public, or somewhere more conducive for them). We are not able to accommodate those request as we are a virtual business. PART III: HEALTH INSURANCE YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY – By using insurance, your clinician is required to give a mental health disorder diagnosis that goes in your medical record. The clinical diagnosis is based on your current symptoms even though you may have been previously diagnosed. We will discuss your diagnosis during session. Your insurance company will know the times and dates of services provided. They may request further information to authorize additional services regarding treatment. IMPORTANT: Some psychiatric diagnoses are not eligible for reimbursement. In the event of non-coverage or denial of payment, you will be responsible to pay for services provided. LCSW Raquel, LLC and its representatives reserves the right to seek payment of unpaid balances by collection agency or legal recourse after reasonable notice to the client. PRE-AUTHORIZATION & REDUCED CONFIDENTIALITY– When visits are authorized, usually only a few sessions are granted at a time. When these sessions are complete, we may need to justify the need for continued service, potentially causing a delay in treatment. If insurance is requesting information for Therapy Consent, Policies & Agreement continued services, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Sometimes, additional sessions are not authorized, leading to an end of the therapeutic relationship even if therapeutic goals are not met. In this case cash payments can be made. POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF A DIAGNOSIS– Insurance companies require clinicians to give a mental health diagnosis (i.e., “major depression” or “obsessive-compulsive disorder”) for reimbursement. Psychiatric diagnoses may negatively impact you in the following ways: 1. Denial of insurance when applying for disability or life insurance; 2. Company (mis)control of information when claims are processed; 3. Loss of confidentiality due to the increased number of persons handling claims; 4. Loss of employment and/or repercussions of a diagnosis in situations where you may be required to reveal a mental health disorder diagnosis on your record. This includes but is not limited to: applying for a job, financial aid, and/or concealed weapons permits, security clearances. 5. A psychiatric diagnosis can be brought into a court case (ie: divorce court, family law, criminal, etc.). It is important that you’re an informed consumer. This allows you to take charge regarding your health and medical record. At times, having a diagnosis can be helpful (i.e., child needing extra services in the school system or a person being able to receive disability). PART IV: CONSENT- by acknowledging this consent agreement, you agree to the following: 1. I have read and understand the information contained in the Therapy Agreement, Policies and Consent. I have discussed any questions that I have regarding this information with my clinician at LCSW Raquel LLC. My acknowledgement indicates that I am voluntarily giving my informed consent to receive counseling services and agree to abide by the agreement and policies listed in this consent. I authorize LCSW Raquel LLC clinician to provide counseling services that are considered necessary and advisable. 2. I authorize the release of treatment and diagnosis information (as described in Part III, above) necessary to process bills for services to my insurance company, and request payment of benefits to LCSW Raquel LLC. I acknowledge that I am financially responsible for payment whether or not covered by insurance. I understand, in the event that fees are not covered by insurance, LCSW Raquel, LLC may utilize payment recovery procedures after reasonable notice to me, including a collection company or collection attorney. 3. Consent to Treatment of Minor Child(ren): I hereby certify that I have the legal right to seek counseling treatment for minor(s) in my custody and give permission to LCSW Raquel, LLC to provide treatment to my minor child(ren). If I have unilateral decision-making capacity to obtain counseling services for my minor, I will provide the appropriate court documentation to LCSW Raquel, LLC prior to or at the initial session. Otherwise, I will have the other legal parent/guardian acknowledge this consent for treatment prior to the initial session.

If you or someone you know is experiencing an emergency or crisis, call 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.

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