TIPS TO HELP YOU BE SUCCESSFUL ON YOUR JOURNEY WITH US
FOR TELETHERAPY SESSIONS
If you are participating in video visits or audio visits, please understand that we are unable to conduct therapy sessions while you are distracted. This includes you driving, being a passenger in a car, while you are supposed to be “on the clock” at work and therefore need to take phone calls or take frequent breaks to address work issues, etc. Teletherapy is a wonderful option that we are able to offer, but sessions need to occur with the same professionalism, privacy, commitment, and focus as face-to-face sessions in our office.
Please note that we are unable to bill insurance for your sessions if they do not meet the minimum time requirements. If you are late to your session, or need to leave unexpectedly, and we are unable to bill insurance for that session, please understand that you will be assessed the No Show/Cancellation Fee. This fee is your responsibility and will be enforced as per the financial agreement. This fee allows your therapist to be paid for their time and commitment to you.
NO SHOW/LATE CANCELATION FEES
This office operates under fee for service agreements, not salaries. This means that our therapists are paid based on their time and expertise in their commitment to their clients. As a way of helping with access to care, we are in-network providers for several insurance companies. Because we have agreed to accept a contracted reimbursement rate from each in-network insurer (that is already lower than our normal reimbursement rate), we are governed by their rules for medical necessity in providing care that is determined to be eligible to be paid under insurance coverage. Your therapist has reserved a time for you in their schedule and this is a commitment your therapist makes to your mental health. If you do not show for your appointment, or you cancel without enough notice, we are unable to invoice your insurer for that session, as it did not happen. Your therapist is unable to be compensated for the time that they have reserved for you unless we invoice you for that missed appointment. Please be considerate and understanding in realizing that your therapist is not immune to life’s stressors and they are likely going through many of life’s ups and downs that are uncontrollable for them, also. But, they are committed to your mental health and this is how they make their living. No Show and Late Cancelation fees are not negotiable at this practice, and they will be enforced. Similarly, if your therapist has an extenuating circumstance and needs to cancel a session with less than 24 hours notice, your therapist has agreed to make special accommodations to have you seen as soon as possible, often within a day or two of your scheduled session.
OPTIONS FOR WHEN YOU CAN’T KEEP AN IN PERSON SESSION
For your convenience, this practice is able to be flexible in the type of session that you prefer, even at a moment’s notice. So, if you realize at the last minute that you had an in-person session scheduled and there’s no way you could make it to the office on time, just give the office or your therapist a call and your session can easily be changed to teletherapy! This is also true for when you are feeling ill, but not so ill that you can’t participate in a session with your therapist. Just switch to teletherapy to avoid a late cancel fee!
Please note that if we are unable to bill for your session under insurance guidelines because you either requested a switch to a teletherapy session “too late,” or you were very late to your session, your therapist will inform you that they are unable to bill for the session, and you will be assessed the No Show/Late Cancelation fee.
EMAILS THAT YOU RECEIVE FROM US
Emails that you receive from us can come from a number of addresses. Most commonly, you will find messages from an email address ending in @dawnmariefriendpsyd.org. When receiving a receipt for a credit card payment, your message may come from either Theranest (our electronic health record system) or Vantage (our credit card processor). You also may receive email reminders for your appointments from Theranest. Please know that these are all valid methods of communication from us at Dr. Friend & Associates.