Welcome to Sound Mind Austin P.L.L.C and the psychotherapy and consultation practice of Dave Braham MS, LMFT-S. It is my goal to ensure you are well informed and comfortable with the process of establishing a safe and healthy therapeutic relationship. Throughout the initial consultation and intake process we will review client rights, confidentiality, fees, information about insurance (also below), and overall, provide information about the administrative side of the therapeutic process.
For details and inquiries specific to your goals and questions about fees and therapeutic fit, you can set up an initial consultation here.
Insurance
I am not an in-network provider for any insurance plans. However, many insurance companies may reimburse you for session fees as an out-of-network benefit. To help you obtain reimbursement, I can provide you with documentation about your diagnoses, session codes, and fees. If you are planning to obtain reimbursement using out-of-network benefits, you can call your insurance company prior to treatment to determine the answers to the following questions:
- Do you have out of network mental health benefits?
- What is your mental health deductible, and has it been met?
- How many sessions per year are covered?
- When does the coverage end or begin?
- What is the coverage amount per session?
- Is pre-authorization required to see a provider? If yes, from whom?
No Surprises Act
The No Surprises Act (2001) was enacted to protect clients from receiving unexpected medical bills from out-of-network providers. It aims to improve the transparency and fairness of the healthcare system and ensure that clients are not stuck with unexpected medical bills. I believe this is a positive step towards making the healthcare system more consumer-friendly, accessible, and ethical. As a psychotherapist, it’s important to understand the impact that financial stress can have on a client’s mental health. Through the initial consultation and intake process, Sound Mind Austin will confirm through informed consent all costs involved in the process of entering psychotherapy and/or Sound Consultation services.
For more information on the “No Surprises Act” visit: https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
