Services Offered & Rates
INITIAL CONSULTATIONS - FREE
All initial 20-minute phone consultations are free. The purpose is for both you and I to assess if therapy and my approach to therapy is a good fit for your needs. In the event that it is not, I will seek to provide you with a referral to another therapist in the area who could better serve your needs.
A Note About Insurance
If you’d like to use insurance to cover your sessions, it's important to check with your insurance company directly. I would be considered an out-of-network provider. My services may be covered in full, in part, or not at all by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. I cannot guarantee coverage. I do provide you with a receipt of your payment for services upon request. Again, please ensure that you contact your insurance company directly to confirm benefits.
Some important questions you may want to ask your insurance company:
How much of the fee is reimbursed for out-of-network providers within my plan?
Have I met my deductible?
Do you reimburse for the license LMFTA (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Associate)?
I offer a limited number of sliding scale fees for clients. Please inquire during your initial consultation. Feel free to email him at info@franciscobujanda.com if you have any other questions.
Rights & Protections against Surprise Medical Bills
Under the new law Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act (often referred to as the “No Surprises” Act), health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform current or potential clients about their possible health care service costs. This is specific for individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or are not seeking to file a claim for reimbursement with their insurance plan or coverage. Under the law current or potential clients are required to be notified of their ability to receive both orally and in writing, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care appointments or services, a “Good Faith Estimate” (GFE) of expected costs during treatment.
This “No Surprises” Act is designed to provide transparency to client regarding their expected medical expenses and to protect them from surprises when they receive their medical bills. It allows clients to understand how much their health care will cost before they receive services.
This law was established for health care services as a whole and is not specific to mental health care. There are a number of factors that make it challenging to provide a final estimate on how long it will take for a client to complete therapeutic treatment and thus a comprehensive GFE. This is due to the fact that it depends on the individual client or couple, what they seek to address as part of their goals, and how those needs change over the course of the therapeutic endeavor.
From the start of our work together in therapy, I seek to create a clear structure and purpose to each session specifically around initial assessment sessions as well as how we will address the goals established early on in the therapeutic process. However, the structure is present as a guide to the work and not as a restrictive barrier to the process. Each client’s needs are different and as such completion of therapy and goals will look different. Some clients are satisfied with a reduction in symptoms while others continue longer because it feels beneficial to do so. Some clients begin to schedule sessions less frequently, and may continue to come in for “check-ins, tune ups,” or for situational support when issues arise. Ultimately, as the client, it is your decision when to stop therapy.
When we first meet for our 20 minute phone consultation, I will verbally provide you with a Good Faith Estimate (GFE). In addition, this estimate will be available to you in writing and you will be able to review, sign and confirm your receipt of it through the client Simple Practice portal. If you are a a current client, I will be providing you with a GFE as well.
Important note about billing:
Due to the fact that I operate as a private pay provider, who is considered out-of-network, I only accept payment directly from the client who is receiving services at the time of service. This means that each session will be invoiced to the client and they are responsible for paying the total sum of each invoice at time of service or by end of day that service was rendered. More details are outlined in my practice policies that are provided to the client via the Simple Practice portal prior to our first session appointment. Invoices will only ever include the session cost of $155 per 55 min session for on going sessions or $232.50 for only initial assessment sessions. I do provide Superbills for clients who wish to submit claims to their insurance for reimbursement.
Good Faith Estimate for Clients
Below, I have provided my current session fees, projected for three, six, and twelve month periods with differing levels of sessions scheduled for those timeframes. These fees will not increase for the 2022 calendar year. Any change beyond that period will be communicated in advance in accordance with the law.
First session assessment for Individuals or Couples - 85 min $232.50
Individual or Couples Session for 55 minutes = $155
Three Months Weekly 55 minute sessions for 12 weeks / 12 sessions $ 1860
Three Months Bi-weekly 55 minute sessions for 12/ 6 weeks $ 930
Half Year Weekly 55 minute sessions for 24 weeks /24 sessions $3720
Half Year Bi-weekly 55 minute sessions for 24 weeks /12 Sessions $ 1860
Full Year Weekly 55 minute sessions for 50 weeks $7750
Full Year Bi-weekly 55 minute sessions for 50 weeks $3875
The above examples are provided to give an idea of the financial expectations within certain periods for a calendar year. The frequency and duration is dependent on your individual needs and goals.
I look forward to talking with you and answering any questions you may have about the “No Surprises” Act and Good Faith Estimates.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit http://www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059