We get lots of questions from healthcare providers wanting to know how to handle patients/client deductibles.

If you are in network with an insurance company, this is how deductibles work—at least for behavioral health.

Scenario ONE:

Client A has Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) with a deductible of $500, and plan with a $15 co-pay. He sees Dr. Smith for counseling, who is a licensed psychologist. BCBS’s rates for a licensed psychologist is $161.00 (hypothetical) for an initial assessment and $90.81 (hypothetical) for ongoing individual therapy sessions.

If this client has a deductible, this is what the client / insurance pays:

  • 1st visit: $161 paid by client, zero paid by BCBS (remaining deductible $339)
  • 2nd visit: $90.81 paid by client, zero paid by BCBS (remaining deductible $248.19)
  • 3rd visit: $90.81 paid by client, zero paid by BCBS (remaining deductible $157.38)
  • 4th visit: $90.81 paid by client, zero paid by BCBS (remaining deductible $66.57)
  • 5th visit: $66.57 + $15 paid by client, $9.24 paid by BCBS (no deductible remains)
  • 6th visit: $15 paid by client, $75.81 Paid by BCBS
  • And so on …

Note: you cannot charge the client more than what insurance would have traditionally paid. Even if your “cash” rate is higher, you need to charge the client the lower, insurance approved, rate.

Scenario TWO:

Client B has no deductible, just a $25 copay. The client also sees Dr. Smith.

  • 1st visit: $25 paid by client, $136.00 paid by BCBS
  • 2nd visit: $25 paid by client, $65.81 paid by BCBS
  • And so on …

Again, BCBS’s “allowable rate” for psychologists is $161 for initial diagnostic evaluation and $90.81 for mental health counseling / psychotherapy sessions.

Summary:

When a healthcare provider signs a contract with an insurance company he/she agrees to their rates. Hence, when a client has a deductible the provider can only charge the client the same insurance allowed rates, not higher self-pay rates.

Hope this is helpful and not just confusing 🙂

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Anthony Centore

Anthony Centore

Anthony Centore Ph.D. is Founder and CEO at Thriveworks--a counseling practice, focused on premium client care, with 80+ locations across the USA. He is Private Practice Consultant for the American Counseling Association, columnist for Counseling Today magazine, and Author of How to Thrive in Counseling Private Practice. Anthony is a multistate Licensed Professional Counselor and has been quoted in national media sources including The Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, and CBS Sunday Morning.

Check out “Leaving Depression Behind: An Interactive, Choose Your Path Book” written by AJ Centore and Taylor Bennett."