Fees and Insurance

I am happy to speak to you free of charge for 20 minutes over the phone to get an understanding of your needs, to answer questions about my services, and to determine if it is a good match for us to meet.

My individual fee is currently $190 for a 55-minute session.  Rates are subject to change. I have a limited number of sliding scale sessions available.  My group fees are determined based on the type of group offered and the number of sessions. Fees are due at the time of your session, via cash or check preferably.  Credit/debit card use can be arranged during this time of telehealth.

I do not take health insurance.  However, I am an out-of-network provider for many PPO insurance plans. I can provide a monthly statement for out-of-network insurance billing, called a Superbill, at your request that you can submit to your insurance company.  Please be advised that an insurance company requires a mental health diagnosis, and that a diagnosis will be listed on your Superbill.

It is your responsibility to determine what your insurance carrier provides for mental health services. You may want to ask your carrier the following questions:

• Do I have mental health benefits?
• What is my deductible and has it been met?
• How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider? (Generally, the insurance company has an “allowable amount” for psychotherapy, and you are reimbursed a percentage of that amount.)
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

As of January 1, 2022, you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.  Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.  You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.  You can ask your health care provider for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.  If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.  Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.  For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

Office Location and Ways to Contact Me

My office is in San Rafael, CA.  Currently I am only providing psychotherapy through telehealth. You must be located in the state of California at the time of your session.

Phone is the securest way to contact me. My phone is 415-578-9330

I will return your call within 24 hours during weekdays.

You can also email me at mbaumgartnerlcsw@comcast.net to make initial contact with a brief message, or to schedule an appointment.  Please be advised that if you choose to email, you are acknowledging and accepting the risks of communicating your protected health information through an unencrypted email.

If you are a new client, you will be emailed access to your own HIPPA compliant private portal where you will be able to receive private communication with me, consent forms, intake forms, and billing forms.

415-578-9330 | mbaumgartnerlcsw@comcast.net