We know that questions about cost, insurance, and reimbursement can feel overwhelming, especially when you are focused on taking care of your mental health.
This page is designed to clearly explain how payment works at Montgomery County Counseling Center, what out of network care means, and the options available to help you navigate reimbursement with confidence.
Common Questions About Fees and Insurance
Do you accept insurance?
Montgomery County Counseling Center is an out of network practice and does not accept insurance directly. This means payment is due at the time of service.
Many clients who have out of network benefits are still able to receive partial reimbursement for therapy services. And in some cases, we are able to help you advocate for better coverage.
Why are you out of network?
- Insurance companies can limit clinical decision-making and interfere with individualized care.
- Insurance adds significant administrative complexity, reducing time for client care.
- Reimbursement rates are often unsustainably low for high-quality mental health services.
This NPR article does an excellent job explaining the broader challenges insurance creates within mental health care.
How much does therapy cost?
Sessions range from $190-$225 depending on the type of therapy and the clinician you work with. We also have clinical interns, who are therapists-in-training (and under direct supervision), and support clients at a significantly reduced rate of $10-70 per session. Services provided by clinical interns are not eligible for insurance reimbursement.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept major credit cards, checks, and Zelle transfers. Payment is due the day of service.
Can I still receive coverage for my therapy sessions with MCCC?
Yes. If your insurance plan includes out of network benefits, you may be able to receive partial reimbursement for therapy services. MCCC provides current clients with a monthly superbill that can be used to submit claims to insurance. Coverage, reimbursement amounts, and the process by which to submit varies by plan.
Here is a step-by-step insurance call guide that outlines the key questions to ask your insurance company about out of network therapy coverage and reimbursement.
This sounds complicated. Is there support available to help with insurance reimbursement?
Yes! If you would prefer not to manage insurance submissions on your own, we recommend Thrizer (for clients), a third-party service that submits out of network claims on your behalf. For a small fee, they handle the paperwork to reduce your workload. And for an additional fee, they can even pay you upfront rather than you having to wait to receive reimbursement from your insurance, which is a big help for if cashflow is a bigger obstacle than overall budget.
Note: We do not use Thrizer ourselves and have no financial relationship with them. We recommend them based on positive client experiences and their ability to simplify a process that can otherwise feel overwhelming.
Additional Resources for Current Clients
Using Your Superbill for Insurance Reimbursement
For clients who choose to pursue out of network reimbursement, we provide a monthly superbill, which is separate from the invoice/receipt for payment, and is used specifically for insurance submission. A superbill is a detailed document that includes the information insurance companies typically request when reviewing claims, such as provider details, dates of service, and billing codes.
Superbills are automatically sent to clients on the first of each month for services provided in the prior month, and current clients may also log into the client portal at any time to download a copy. While reimbursement is determined by each client’s insurance plan, our goal is to provide clear and accurate documentation to support the claims submission process.
To help reduce confusion, we’ve created guides for understanding your superbill:
These resources are optional and meant to support you if navigating insurance paperwork feels unfamiliar or overwhelming.
Affordability and Financial Support
We are committed to supporting equitable access to comprehensive mental health care and recognize that cost can be a meaningful factor for many families, especially when multiple services are involved.
To help make more comprehensive care financially manageable, we offer a Family Care Plan for families receiving three or more concurrent services with our practice. This plan is designed to support families who are engaging in layered or ongoing care across multiple family members.
While we do not offer a sliding scale for individual services at the time of intake (other than intern services), we understand that financial circumstances can change over the course of treatment. For established clients whose situations shift, we are open to thoughtful conversations about possible financial accommodations. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance in these scenarios and schedule time with MCCC practice owner Laura Goldstein via Calendly to discuss available options.
Good Faith Estimate (No Surprises Act)
According to the Federal No Surprises Act of 2022, you have a right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for how much your medical care will cost.
