Like many therapists in private practice, I am exclusively a private pay, out-of-network provider. Individuals pay me directly at the time that services are rendered. I have chosen to no longer be an in-network provider with insurance companies due to the many limitations modern insurance companies have placed on utilizing behavioral health services, such as:

• Requiring authorization to substantiate the need for counseling vs. allowing an individual to make this decision by themself.
• Mandating that clinicians complete time-consuming, lengthy treatment plans to initiate & continue sessions, which often includes providing otherwise confidential information to a third-party behavioral health utilization review company.
• Forcing individuals to select a provider solely based on their in-network participation, not on the provider’s experience, skills or expertise in treating a specific issue.
• Failing to realize that a one size fits all approach is not effective nor in the best interest of the individual. The length of time spent in session, the type of therapy & where it is conducted should all be decisions that you & your therapist should be making based on what is most effective for you. 

If you do wish to use your insurance benefits, I advise you to contact your insurance company to determine if your plan allows reimbursement for outpatient, out-of-network coverage.  I will provide you with a Superbill, that includes all of the information that you will need to submit the claim to your insurance company; I am happy to assist you with the submission process, as well.  I believe in being completely honest & transparent, so that you can make an informed decision regarding my services.  For your assistance, I have included a list of questions below to use when contacting your insurance company when inquiring about your coverage. I encourage you to request these answers from them; be your own Advocate.

As a trained & licensed therapist, you are choosing me to oversee one of the most important aspects of your health. You have placed a tremendous amount of trust in my judgment & I take this responsibility seriously. While I am running a business, I chose this career based on my desire to use my skills to help others live happy, healthy lives. Although I am not able to make aggressive changes to my fees, I am always willing to discuss sliding scale options or temporary adjustments when unexpected life emergencies occur. I never want to turn away a client in need & will always do my best to work toward a solution.

Thank you,

Jenifer Garrido
Anxiety Treatment Center of Orlando
Office of Jenifer Garrido, MSW, LCSW