Frequently Asked Questions

Our work together begins with a 15 minute consultation call. This is an opportunity for us to talk about what you are looking for help with, answer any questions or concerns you may have about getting started, and for you to get a sense if you feel comfortable talking more with me about yourself. We will also go over practical issues, like scheduling and fees. If we decide together that we might be a good fit we will schedule an intake appointment. An intake session is a 60 minute appointment where we will talk in more depth about what is bringing you in, your background, history, and your current life situation. I view the the first several sessions together as a “getting to know you” period. We will check in after a few sessions about how we feel things are going thus far and I will let you know if my expertise will best support your needs. If my specialties do not align with your presenting issues, I can help refer you to another skilled clinician who can better support your needs.

Therapy is an investment in yourself and your well-being. We will discuss session costs and billing related matters both during our initial consultation call and your intake. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding the cost of treatment. I do offer a limited amount of sliding scales slots. If my rates do not work for your budget, I would be happy to help refer you to other providers. Payment is required at the time of service via credit card or check.

I am considered an “out-of-network” provider for all insurance plans and do not have any contracts with insurance panels, including Medicare. The majority of my clients utilize their insurance policy’s out of network benefits to provide partial or full reimbursement for therapy services. I can provide a detailed invoice called a “Superbill" for you to easily submit claims to your insurance directly. Please let me know if you do not wish to utilize your insurance at all in your treatment.

Many plans offer "Out-Of-Network" benefits which may provide some assistance in covering the session costs. If you are interested in using your insurance for reimbursement, I recommend calling your insurance company to better understand the specific benefits of your plan as every one is different. You are responsible for knowing your coverage specific to your plan.

• Do I have mental health benefits? • What is the name of the company that provides these benefits? • Do I have a deductible? If so, how much have I paid towards this already? • What percentage of the session cost will be paid once I have met my deductible? • Is there an out-of-pocket maximum? What is my responsibility for session costs once this has been met? • Is my reimbursement from my insurance company based on usual, customary, and reasonable (UCR) schedules or on the actual charges? • Are my benefits for Out-of-Network services impacted by the state of my provider? • What is the coverage for these service codes: 90791 for the initial evaluation and 90834, 90837 for ongoing sessions? • Is my reimbursement impacted by the state my provider is located in?

My practice maintains a 48-hour cancellation policy. This means that if you cancel a session within 48-hours you are still responsible for the full cost of the session and will be billed. I make every effort to try to reschedule sessions within the same business week to avoid charging a cancellation fee.

This practice does not provide 24/7 crisis support. If you are experiencing an imminent mental health or medical emergency that threatens your life, please call 911 or go to your local emergency room. You can access 24/7 mental health support through the following helplines: • National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org/() • New York City: 1-888-NYC Well (1-888-692-9355), text “Well” to 65173 or visit https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/() • NYS Substance Abuse HOPEline: (877) 8-HOPENY / Text 467369 • Connecticut: Dial 211 or 1-800-HOPE-135 (1-800.467.3135) • Connecticut Substance Abuse Treatment Access Line- 1-800-563-4086 Safety is my #1 priority. I tell all my clients that should they find themselves in a crisis situation where their life is on the line to call the above resources first and get themselves safe. Then call me.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have certain types of health care coverage or who are not using certain types of health care coverage an estimate of their bill for health care items and services before those items or services are provided. • You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any health care items or services upon request or when scheduling such items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. • If you schedule a health care item or service at least 3 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 1 business day after scheduling. If you schedule a health care item or service at least 10 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 3 business days after scheduling. You can also ask any health care provider or facility for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you do, make sure the health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 3 business days after you ask. • If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more for any provider or facility than your Good Faith Estimate from that provider or facility, you can dispute the bill. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate: visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers (www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers) email: FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov (FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov) or call 1-800-985-3059. **In our work, my fee is set with you at the start of treatment and will only be changed after our discussion.

Reach out to me directly via the contact form, email me at drcaitlinstell@stellpsychotherapy.com ()or call me by phone at (475) 231-4472