“Fear robs you of your freedom to make the right choice in life that can bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. On the other side of fear, lies freedom. If you want to grow, you need to be brave and take risks. If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not growing.” -Roy T. Bennett
How to get started
Congratulations on making the decision to put yourself first! Making the decision to start therapy can be daunting. This is the first step towards Becoming your Best Self.
LePiatz Psychology, LLC, is on an “Open Access” basis (also known as being Out of Network) with all insurance companies, except for CareFirst PPO insurance plans. This means:
- You pay the associated fee (below) at the time of your session (or your co-pay or co-insurance if you have CareFirst PPO insurance)
- LePiatz Psychology, LLC can provide you with a SuperBill (an itemized receipt of services provided) for you to submit to your insurance company to request reimbursement using your Out-of-Network Benefits
Please note that there is no guarantee that your insurance company will reimburse you for any of your out-of-pocket expenses for the services received at LePiatz Psychology, LLC. It is best to check with your insurance company before you begin services at LePiatz Psychology, LLC, to obtain details about how your insurance benefits (including your Out-of-Network benefits) work. Please see the “FAQs” section above for more information about questions to ask your insurance company.
Please also note that if you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), that could potentially be used to pay for your sessions. Please check with your Human Resources (HR) department and/or insurance company (or whomever is the administrator for your FSA or HSA account) for details about this.
Fees for Therapy Services
Here are the current fees for therapy services provided at LePiatz Psychology, LLC, which are competitive for the DC-Metro area based on services provided, educational level, and experience (please note that a therapy “hour” is 45-50 minutes):
- Intake (initial appointment): $225
- Individual therapy follow-up session: $185-200
- Family therapy * follow-up session: $200-225
- No Show Charge: Full session fee (applies to self-pay and insurance clients; not reimbursed by insurance)
- Cancellation with less than 24 hours notice: Full session fee (applies to self-pay and insurance clients; not reimbursed by insurance)
*Family therapy refers to sessions where at least one other family member is present (usually in addition to the identified client) for the purposes of enhancing an individual’s progress within their therapy process. Please note that LePiatz Psychology, LLC does not take on clients who only want family therapy. In addition, LePiatz Psychology, LLC does not provide couples therapy.
Payment for services is expected to be remitted at the time of the appointment. Form of payment accepted includes most major credit cards. Please also note that session fees will not be prorated.
CareFirst/Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
LePiatz Psychology, LLC, is in-network with most CareFirst/Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO insurance plans. Please note: LePiatz Psychology, LLC is not in network for CareFirst/BCBS PPO insurance plans that use Beacon Health Options to manage the mental health portion of their plan.
If you are unsure about your willingness or ability to make a full commitment to therapy, consider trying 3 to 4 sessions (which is the average time that it takes to determine if there is a good therapeutic fit with a therapist), and then you can make an informed decision about whether or not you want to continue with therapy with Dr. Pittman.
Please click on the “Contact” button at the top of the page, on which there is a form that can be completed if you want to be contacted for an initial appointment.
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Good Faith Estimate
Effective January 1, 2022, all providers are required to be (more) transparent with regard to the cost of service provision, particularly for individuals who are paying out of pocket, even if they are submitting invoices to their insurance companies. Below is a disclaimer provided by Simple Practice (the practice management system used by LePiatz Psychology, LLC), which reflects the tenets of this legislation (called the No Surprises Act, under which is the Good Faith Estimate requirement). Please note that all costs and fees for services received from LePiatz Psychology, LLC are already embedded in your Practice Agreement, and that an itemized accounting of this can be provided at your request.
DISCLAIMER
The Good Faith Estimate shows the costs of items and services that are reasonably expected for your health care needs for an item or service. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created.
The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or special circumstances occur. If this happens, federal law allows you to dispute (appeal) the bill.
If you are billed for more than this Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill.
You may contact the health care provider or facility listed to let them know the billed charges are higher than the Good Faith Estimate. You can ask them to update the bill to match the Good Faith Estimate, ask to negotiate the bill, or ask if there is financial assistance available.
You may also start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If you choose to use the dispute resolution process, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days (about 4 months) of the date on the original bill.
There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process. If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you will have to pay the price on this Good Faith Estimate. If the agency disagrees with you and agrees with the health care provider or facility, you will have to pay the higher amount.
To learn more and get a form to start the process, go to www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call HHS at (800) 368-1019.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 368-1019.
Keep a copy of this Good Faith Estimate in a safe place or take pictures of it. You may need it if you are billed a higher amount.