Policies

Individual and group therapy sessions are 50 minutes in length.  Therapy is typically scheduled on a weekly basis, and once we set a regular appointment time, that time slot is reserved for you.  Because of this, we ask for 24 hours notice for any cancellations.  This allows us to schedule a waiting client into that time slot.  Failure to provide 24-hour notice will result in the client being billed for the missed session.  Insurance cannot be billed for missed sessions, so the full amount becomes patient responsibility.

Progress in therapy is dependent upon consistent attendance.  If your schedule is such that you cannot attend at least 80% of scheduled appointments, you may be discharged from therapy.

An initial deposit of $250 is due prior to an initial evaluation, unless we are billing your health insurance directly.  Any amounts remaining after insurance payment will be billed monthly on the 1^st of the month and are due within 30 days.  All evaluations include a written diagnostic report.

If services are covered by your health insurance plan, we are happy to submit claims on your behalf. Please note that co-payments are due at the time of service. It is your responsibility to determine the extent of coverage and benefits under your plan, any requirements for pre-authorization, prescription, or physician referral for services, and any co-payments that are required. If your insurance does not pay the amount you expect, or there is a delay in payment of greater than two months, you will be responsible for the outstanding balance due. If you do not inform us of a change in coverage and this results in the wrong insurance being billed, there will be a $10 rebilling fee per claim.

If we are not preferred providers with your insurance, you will receive a monthly bill from us. You should remit payment directly to us, and then submit the invoices to your insurance company. These invoices may also apply to your pre-tax Healthcare Flexible Spending Account. Your insurance or HFSA will then reimburse you directly if the services are covered under your plan. Insurance companies with current contracts include: Premera and First Health.

Both the law and the standards of our profession require that we keep treatment records.  You have the right to view and/or receive a copy of your records.  Records will not be disclosed to third parties unless we receive written consent from you or the law authorizes or compels us to do so.  This office is compliant with federal HIPAA rules for the privacy of personal health information.  This means that we will disclose the minimum necessary information to required entities for payment or other administrative services.

As we near our potentially-snowy winter, please bear in mind the following guidelines for cancelation of therapy sessions due to bad weather:

1. If classes for Lake Washington School District are cancelled, all sessions at LLA prior to noon are automatically cancelled.
2. For sessions after 12 PM, someone from our office will contact you via phone or email to either confirm or cancel your appointment.
3. If classes for Lake Washington School District are delayed, someone from our office will contact you to mutually confirm or cancel your session.
4. If you feel you cannot safely attend your session, please email or call your therapist as soon as possible to let her know of a cancellation.

Please make sure that we have the best contact information for you on file in case the need arises to contact you to cancel a session.

We require you to cancel your session if your child exhibits any of the following:

• An uncontrolled, productive cough
• Vomiting
• Fever – the Washington State Department of Health recommends staying home for 24 hours after a fever has broken.
• Other signs/symptoms of contagious illness

If it’s a day you kept your child home from school, we encourage you to keep your child home from therapy sessions.  We do not charge for missed sessions due to illness.