Private Pay vs. Insurance

  • Novus Leaf is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly.

    Many clients choose to use their out-of-network benefits. Upon request, we can provide a Superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Reimbursement amounts vary depending on your individual plan.

    Questions to ask your insurance company include:

    • Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?

    • Is preauthorization required?

    • What is my deductible?

    • What percentage of the session fee will be reimbursed?

  • We operate as a private-pay practice so we can provide care that’s guided by your needs, not insurance company requirements.

    Insurance often places limits on session frequency and length, requires specific diagnoses, and may request access to personal clinical information which can be invasive of privacy.

    When insurance is involved, diagnoses and treatment details may be shared with third-party payers. As a private-pay practice, your clinical information stays between you and your therapist unless you request otherwise or there is a legal or safety obligation. This allows therapy to be a more confidential and protected space.

    Private pay allows therapy to remain flexible, individualized, and focused on what supports your growth.

  • We accept debit, credit and HSA/FSA, due on the day of your service. The card payments are run in a HIPAA-compliant secure portal.

    We hold a limited number of reduced fee slots and also have clinical interns who have lower rates, to try and provide more accessibility to care.

  • No. Many people seek therapy for stress, burnout, life transitions, identity exploration, parenting support, or relationship challenges not because something is “wrong.”

    Insurance requires a diagnosis to authorize care. In a private-pay model, therapy does not require labeling in order to be valid or helpful.

    However, we still have full ability to diagnose you without having insurance dictate the process or require certain diagnoses to get care covered.

    Speak to your provider to discuss diagnosis questions and we are happy to work with you on obtaining appropriate clinical diagnoses for your records.

  • Novus Leaf is a private-pay practice, which allows us to provide personalized care without the limitations often imposed by insurance companies. Choosing private pay gives you greater privacy, more flexibility in your treatment, and the freedom for you and your therapist to focus on your goals rather than insurance requirements.

    We'll discuss our current fees during your consultation so you'll have a clear understanding of your investment before scheduling your first appointment. We also provide superbills for clients who would like to pursue reimbursement through their out-of-network insurance benefits, and many clients choose to use HSA or FSA funds to pay for therapy.

  • Yes. Many clients choose to use their out-of-network benefits.

    Upon request, we can provide a Superbill, which is a summary or receipt of services that you submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement or application towards your deductible. Reimbursement amounts vary depending on your individual plan.

    Check your benefits by calling the number on the back of your health insurance card. Questions to ask your insurance company include:

    • Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?

    • Is preauthorization required?

    • What is my deductible?

    • What percentage of the session fee will be reimbursed?

  • The full session fee is applied for cancellations received less than 24 hours before the scheduled appointment or when you fail to appear to appointment without any notification (referred to as a “no call, no show).

    We understand that emergencies arise, and in such cases, we may waive the fee. Communicate with your provider and they will do their best to work with your circumstances.

    The reason for the fee is that a time is reserved for you that is typically not able to be filled in a short window. This allows us to the opportunity to offer your appointment time to another client who may be waiting for care.

  • We understand that private pay is not an option for everyone and financial barriers can be a huge issue when it comes to care.

    When we’re unable to meet a client’s needs financially, we are happy to provide referrals to insurance-based providers or community resources whenever possible.

  • Right to Receive a Good Faith Estimate of Expected Charges

    Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the total expected cost of health care items and services if you are uninsured or are not using health insurance to pay for care. This estimate will include the expected charges for the services and any related items reasonably expected to be provided.

    You may request a Good Faith Estimate before scheduling services, and if you schedule services at least 3 business days in advance, the estimate will be provided no later than one business day after scheduling (or within three business days of your request).

    If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you may dispute the bill. For more information, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

    To request a Good Faith Estimate or for questions about your estimate please reach out to us via our Contact Page.

  • We believe financial circumstances should not be a barrier to receiving quality mental health care. Each therapist maintains a limited number of reduced-rate appointments to help make therapy more accessible.

    If cost is a concern, we encourage you to discuss your needs when you reach out. We'll do our best to explore available options and determine whether a reduced-rate appointment may be available.

Therapeutic Process

  • Browse our available providers:
    Go to our “Meet The Team” dropdown and read our provider’s bios to get a feel on their approaches, styles, personalities, and overall vibe.

    Choose how you’d like to begin:
    You can choose between scheduling a complimentary 15-minute consultation call or an initial 60 minute initial therapy appointment with the therapist of your choice. The initial appointment will be either through video or at the office depending on the provider you choose.

    Schedule your appointment:
    You can select your preferred therapist directly through the “Schedule Today” button at the top of the website header.

    Complete intake paperwork:
    Once your appointment is scheduled, your therapist will email you intake paperwork to complete before your first session.

    Access your Client Portal:
    You’ll receive a secure link to your Client Portal, where you can:

    • Complete intake forms

    • Schedule future appointments

    • Manage your sessions with ease

  • Prior to your first session, pease allocate a few minutes to download the "Telehealth" app, which ensures HIPAA-compliant video usage.

    During your initial session, your therapist will guide you through reviewing intake paperwork, including confidentiality agreements, informed consent, and our cancellation policy. They will also address any questions or concerns you may have.

    The remainder of the session will be dedicated to discussing potential goals and gathering additional background information, enabling your therapist to formulate a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

  • In a typical therapy session, you can expect to engage in open and honest discussions with your therapist about your thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

    The frequency of sessions varies depending on your needs and availability, with most individuals attending weekly or every other week, for 50-60 minutes total.

  • Open communication is essential in therapy, and you're encouraged to voice any preferences, concerns, or questions you may have with your therapist.

    Whether it's discussing treatment modalities, session frequency, or any discomfort you may be experiencing, your therapist is there to listen, validate your concerns, and work with you to address them collaboratively.

Good Faith Estimate Disclaimer:

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate (GFE), which is available to you. This estimate outlines the expected costs of items and services related to your health care needs, based on the information available at the time it is created. It does not account for unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment, such as complications or special circumstances, which could result in higher charges. If your bill is more than the amount listed on your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right under federal law to dispute (appeal) the charges. You can contact your health care provider or facility to request that the bill be adjusted to match the estimate, negotiate the charges, or inquire about available financial assistance.

You also have the option to start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). To do so, you must begin the process within 120 calendar days (about four months) from the date of the original bill, and there is a $25 fee to file. If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you will only be responsible for the amount listed on your Good Faith Estimate; if it agrees with the provider or facility, you will need to pay the higher amount. To learn more or to access the dispute form, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call HHS at (800) 368-1019. Keep a copy of your Good Faith Estimate in a safe place or store pictures of it, as you may need it if your bill exceeds the estimated amount.