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Your First Visit
The first visit will be an opportunity to share your present concerns and reasons for seeking assistance. Dr. Ferrell-Hanington will provide a private and comfortable environment to explore your life history. Together you will decide what goals and outcomes you expect which will help create a plan for treatment.
Please contact Dr. Ferrell-Hanington with any questions about her services and to schedule your initial appointment.
Prior to your initial appointment, Dr. Ferrell-Hanington requests that you download the paperwork packet from this website and bring the completed paperwork to the first visit. Should you be unable to do so, you are welcome to complete the paperwork in the office, but this may intrude into your appointment time. Dr. Ferrell-Hanington prefers to set aside at least an hour for the first appointment The follow up appointments will last either 40-45 or 50-55 minutes.
Dr. Ferrell-Hanington requests that cancellations are given a 24-hour notice. She does not make reminder calls due to her desire to maintain as much confidentiality as possible. Please bring one form of ID and your insurance card to your first visit.
Prior to your initial appointment, Dr. Ferrell-Hanington requests that you download the paperwork packet from this website and bring the completed paperwork to the first visit. Should you be unable to do so, you are welcome to complete the paperwork in the office, but this may intrude into your appointment time. Dr. Ferrell-Hanington prefers to set aside at least an hour for the first appointment The follow up appointments will last either 40-45 or 50-55 minutes.
Dr. Ferrell-Hanington requests that cancellations are given a 24-hour notice. She does not make reminder calls due to her desire to maintain as much confidentiality as possible. Please bring one form of ID and your insurance card to your first visit.
Please feel free to contact Dr. Ferrell-Hanington with basic questions via email.
drjen@jfhaningtonpsyd.com
Contacting Dr. Ferrell-Hanington does not establish a psychologist-client relationship. If you are in crisis, please contact the Suicide Hotline by dialing 9-8-8. If this is an emergency, please dial 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room. Thank you.
Insurance Questions
What happens if my insurance covers treatment with Dr. Ferrell-Hanington?
If you decide to use your insurance for psychotherapy services, as a courtesy, Dr. Ferrell-Hanington will verify your insurance benefits. Prior to your initial appointment, she will explain your coverage as provided from your insurance company. While the insurance company may provide a quote regarding your coverage prior to treatment, the actual payment of your claims cannot be determined until the Explanation of Benefits is received after the processing of your claim. She will file your insurance claims as a courtesy.
If you decide to use your insurance for psychotherapy services, as a courtesy, Dr. Ferrell-Hanington will verify your insurance benefits. Prior to your initial appointment, she will explain your coverage as provided from your insurance company. While the insurance company may provide a quote regarding your coverage prior to treatment, the actual payment of your claims cannot be determined until the Explanation of Benefits is received after the processing of your claim. She will file your insurance claims as a courtesy.
Should I consider paying for psychotherapy myself and not use my insurance?
When insurance is used to pay for mental health counseling, information is released to the insurance company in order for the claims to be paid. This includes a diagnosis for a specific mental health condition, which becomes part of your permanent health record. This information would be accessed when insurance companies are verifying your health history, such as when you apply for life insurance.
Insurance companies require treatment billing codes for psychotherapy services based on the length of the session. Some insurance companies limit the basic session length and require authorization for longer sessions. Based on the rates that insurance companies pay towards psychotherapy, it may be financially detrimental for a psychologist/counselor to offer longer sessions through insurance reimbursement.
Insurance companies also attempt to limit their contracted provider lists in order to reduce access to treatment, improving their profitability. Therefore, it can be challenging to find a contracted provider who treats your condition or is a good fit.
When clients pay Dr. Ferrell-Hanington directly for services, the mental health record will be held privately. Also, she will consider the length of sessions based on the needs of the client and tailor a personalized treatment plan beyond the restrictions of the insurance company. Furthermore, without using health insurance, a formal mental health diagnosis is not required if it is not necessary, or it will remain private between Dr. Ferrell-Hanington and the client.
When insurance is used to pay for mental health counseling, information is released to the insurance company in order for the claims to be paid. This includes a diagnosis for a specific mental health condition, which becomes part of your permanent health record. This information would be accessed when insurance companies are verifying your health history, such as when you apply for life insurance.
Insurance companies require treatment billing codes for psychotherapy services based on the length of the session. Some insurance companies limit the basic session length and require authorization for longer sessions. Based on the rates that insurance companies pay towards psychotherapy, it may be financially detrimental for a psychologist/counselor to offer longer sessions through insurance reimbursement.
Insurance companies also attempt to limit their contracted provider lists in order to reduce access to treatment, improving their profitability. Therefore, it can be challenging to find a contracted provider who treats your condition or is a good fit.
When clients pay Dr. Ferrell-Hanington directly for services, the mental health record will be held privately. Also, she will consider the length of sessions based on the needs of the client and tailor a personalized treatment plan beyond the restrictions of the insurance company. Furthermore, without using health insurance, a formal mental health diagnosis is not required if it is not necessary, or it will remain private between Dr. Ferrell-Hanington and the client.
Do I have out-of-network coverage?
Dr. Ferrell-Hanington may not be contracted with your insurance company. However, you may have benefits that will cover a portion of the cost of treatment. She will assist you in assessing your coverage, such as out-of-network deductible and co-insurance amounts. Also, she will file your out-of-network claims as a courtesy.
You may want to confirm your benefits as well, and you may ask the following questions:
Dr. Ferrell-Hanington may not be contracted with your insurance company. However, you may have benefits that will cover a portion of the cost of treatment. She will assist you in assessing your coverage, such as out-of-network deductible and co-insurance amounts. Also, she will file your out-of-network claims as a courtesy.
You may want to confirm your benefits as well, and you may ask the following questions:
- What is my out-of-network deductible and how much of my deductible for the year has been met?
- How much will be applied to my deductible per psychotherapy visit?
- What percentage is covered after my deductible is met?
How do I pay for treatment if I do not use my insurance?
Psychotherapy is not a lifetime process. Dr. Ferrell-Hanington specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy which is an approach that utilizes goal-setting. You can decide how long you desire to participate in treatment based on your needs. Even though weekly sessions are common at the beginning of treatment, you may benefit from biweekly or monthly visits as well.
Dr. Ferrell-Hanington accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. If you have a health savings account (HSA), a flexible spending account (FSA), or a medical savings account, you can use these pre-tax funds to pay for mental health services
Dr. Ferrell-Hanington will consider payment plans or discounting services for those in need. Please ask her about these options for more information.
Psychotherapy is not a lifetime process. Dr. Ferrell-Hanington specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy which is an approach that utilizes goal-setting. You can decide how long you desire to participate in treatment based on your needs. Even though weekly sessions are common at the beginning of treatment, you may benefit from biweekly or monthly visits as well.
Dr. Ferrell-Hanington accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. If you have a health savings account (HSA), a flexible spending account (FSA), or a medical savings account, you can use these pre-tax funds to pay for mental health services
Dr. Ferrell-Hanington will consider payment plans or discounting services for those in need. Please ask her about these options for more information.
Your rights and protections against surprise medical bills
Effective January 1, 2022, the No Surprise Act will protect you from balance billing, when you receive emergency care or are treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center. In these cases, you shouldn’t be charged more than your plan’s copayments, coinsurance and/or deductible.
Learn More