In my practice of counseling and psychotherapy, I specifically choose not to be a provider for any insurance companies.  There are a couple of very important reasons as to why I choose to do this.  Before I explain what those reasons are I should mention that many insurance companies will still pay for my services.  I am what you call an "out-of-network provider" for many insurance companies.  Basically, that means that the client is responsible for paying me directly for my services and that  if the client's insurance is willing to pay for me as an "out-of-network provider" then they will send the client a reimbursement check for some or all of the cost.  
      There are two significant reasons as to why I choose not to be an insurance provider.  The first reason is that the confidentiality of my clients will be sacrificed.  If I was a provider for the insurance companies, the first thing that I would have to do is get permission to see my clients before they even come in for the initial session.  This would involve them requesting all of the confidential information pertaining to the client such as why they need treatment, what their diagnosis would be and how I would plan to assist them in solving their treatment issues.  
     The insurance company then decides if the treatment issues being presented are worthy of actual treatment through counseling or psychotherapy.  If they decide to pay for treatment they will usually pay for the initial 4-6 sessions.  If more sessions are needed (more sessions are always needed because nobody can be treated in such a short period of time) then I would have to call the insurance company and review with them everything that was discussed in treatment thus far and explain why further sessions may be required.  The more reviews that I do with the insurance companies, the more difficult it becomes to get them to pay for further treatment.      
     Perhaps the most disturbing element in all of this is the fact that the client's confidentiality is being sacrificed over and over when dealing directly with the insurance companies.  They will know everything that has been going on in the treatment from the reviews that I would be required to do with them.  There is no sure way to know that their records will be kept safe or that their employees will not leak confidential information.  Insurance companies are usually large corporations which means that your personal information could be passing through the hands of countless employees.  
     I personally put every effort into maintaining the confidentiality of my own clients.  I believe that in order for the process of counseling and psychotherapy to work, the client must feel safe in knowing that what they discuss in therapy will remain confidential.  

Sincerely,

Nathan M. Comerford, MA, LLPC, NCC      
    
If you or someone you know needs to speak to someone regarding relationship issues, emotional difficulties or mental health problems, help is a phone call away.  Schedule an appointment today!
Just call (248) 932-7799 to set up an appointment with
Nathan Comerford, MA LLPC NCC.
    
Visit www.thoughtperspectives.com for more information on counseling and psychotherapy!

Nathan M. Comerford is a psychotherapist in Farmington Hills, MI who has been helping people with their relationship issues, emotional difficulties and mental health problems for the past 8 years. 

Thought Perspectives Counseling
31275 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 120
Farmington Hills, MI 48334