If you’ve ever sought counseling or therapy, you’ve probably encountered the question of whether or not to use your insurance to pay for it.
While this option has its advantages, there are also numerous reasons why you might want to consider paying for counseling out of pocket, or “cash–pay.”
Here are five reasons why cash–pay may be the better option for your therapy needs.
When you use your insurance to pay for therapy, your mental health information becomes part of your medical record, which means it can be shared with other healthcare providers and insurance companies. This can lead to potential privacy breaches. When you pay for therapy out of pocket, you can be sure that your information will remain confidential.
Insurance companies often restrict the therapists you can see, requiring that they be in–network providers and/or credentialed with specific organizations. If you’re looking for a therapist outside of these requirements, cash–pay may be the only way to go.
Some therapists who don’t accept insurance may offer flexible payment plans or sliding scale fees to accommodate your budget. This can be a great option if you don’t have the funds to pay for your therapy upfront.
When you use insurance, there can be a lot of paperwork and waiting around for approvals and referrals. When you pay out of pocket, you can usually get in to see a therapist more quickly.
When you use insurance to pay for therapy, you may have to meet certain requirements in order for the insurer to cover the costs. Paying out of pocket gives you more control over the type and length of treatment you receive.
At Enjoyco, we’re a cash-pay therapy practice. Why? Because we believe in greater privacy, control, and flexibility when it comes to mental & emotional health care.
While this option may not be feasible for everyone, it’s worth considering if you’re looking for quality treatment without the headache.