How to Make Out-of-Network Therapy an Option
I have proudly been an advocate for therapy nearly my entire life, being blessed with a mother who saw my anxiety as something to channel and understand instead of something to shut down. That being said, I have not always had the best therapy experiences and sometimes, in-network clinicians were not a good fit.
As someone who works within the space but not as a professional, I rarely understood why some clinicians take insurance and why some don’t. Over time here at Parent Wellness Group, where we are an out-of-network provider (meaning we do not take insurance), I have come to understand the many reasons why this is a path many clinicians and therapists need to take.
Why Is Parent Wellness Group an Out-Of-Network Provider?
We have a whole post here on the seven reasons Parent Wellness Group only offers out-of-network therapy, but at the end of the day, we care about the quality of care our clients receive, the specialties and continued education our clinicians have time for because of this model, and most of all, it allows us to provide the best, most flexible care for you at every stage of parenting.
Did You Know That Your Insurance Likely Covers a Portion of Your Out-of-Network Therapy?
My out-of-network therapist has been instrumental in supporting me through some of the most challenging times of growth in my life, not only as a parent, but as a woman who is healing her nervous system from a full life. The only downside is that my clinician is out of network.
For years, I assumed that my out-of-network provider was out of pocket entirely. For me, the quality of care was so impactful for me that I made the financial decision to stay with her for so many reasons. What I wish I knew was that I could have been receiving up to 40% back from those payments!
Insurance Companies Don’t Always Make Out of Network Coverage Easy to Understand
Maybe this is not news to you, but from our many conversations with potential clients, I know that there are many of us out there that assume the same as I did. So I’m here to help you!
Companies Like Thrizer Help You Navigate Out of Network Therapy
I spent upwards of five hours on the phone with my insurance provider to understand how to get reimbursed from a year’s worth of out-of-network therapy. Between deciphering which codes they needed, understanding why my clinician’s codes were different than what my insurance company was asking for, and of course, waiting on hold for hours on end, I gave up and left more than $1,500 on the table.
Now, there is a new movement of companies out there trying to help us understand how to get the coverage we are already paying for! With Thriizer, for example, you link your insurance to their site and they can help guide you through paying your provider and/or getting reimbursed. I wish I had known about this years ago, and I’m so grateful I know now.
Upon signing up, I linked my insurance plan to Thrizer. Within an hour, I received a breakdown of what is left on my deductible, the estimated reimbursement amount of out-of-network therapy post-deductible, and the total “allowed” cost of the session that they will cover that percentage for. With this information, if I were to look for a new clinician or if I was considering the out-of-pocket cost for my current clinician, I have a better idea of what my expenses will look like and what exactly I could receive back from my insurance provider. From there, you can also link your payment method and pay your provider through Thrizer (with your provider’s help) instead of having to manually submit a claim.
Parent Wellness Group Clinicians Are Special
As a team member at Parent Wellness Group, I have the luxury of knowing all of our clinicians personally and am so grateful to be associated with such wonderful therapists! They are always continuing their education, working to get better, and most importantly, do a really great job of taking care of themselves so they can be the best clinicians they can be. This would not be possible without being an out-of-network provider.
So, if you’re looking for quality support and connecting with a clinician who truly knows what it’s like to be in the weeds of parenthood, contact us to schedule a free consult. I hope that understanding a little more about how you might be able to receive additional coverage from your insurance provider can help you make this possible.
We know these decisions to invest in help are complicated and we hope you’re able to get the support you need!
