Frequently Asked Questions

$300 Initial Consultation up to 60 minutes and $150 Returning Patient Visit for up to 30 minutes. I am happy to provide superbills for potential insurance reimbursement.

Confidentiality. Cash-pay clients enjoy the privacy, because this information will not automatically be a part of your permanent health record. If you do use insurance to pay for mental health care, then this information can then be accessed by various third parties, including employers, insurance companies, and government agencies.

More control of your treatment. Freedom to choose your provider, and the duration and frequency of your appointments.

Or perhaps you do not want or need a psychiatric diagnosis, but you would like care for your mental health symptoms. Insurances require specific diagnoses for reimbursement.

Faster access to care. Eliminates delays related to insurance verification and prior authorizations, so you can book appointments sooner.

Treatment continuity. Changes in your insurance benefits will not disrupt your treatment. Additionally, some insurance plans limit the number of visits per year.

Simplified payment process. Upfront pricing without the hassle of complex billing procedures, which can reduce financial anxiety.

Other financial considerations. Perhaps you have a plan with a high-deductible or out-of-network (OON) benefits that allow you to choose a provider that meets your needs.

You have an HSA/FSA you wish to use. *Please note using OON benefits or HSA/FSA requires reporting at least one psychiatric diagnosis.

Integrative Psychiatry combines the best of Traditional Psychiatry with complementary approaches in a responsible and evidence-informed manner. This can mean prescribing both medications and supplements, completing thorough medical evaluations, and addressing your mental health from a whole-person perspective.

I cannot replace your PCP, but I am more than happy to work with them to help you achieve your health goals.

Both! I can see Massachusetts clients virtually or in-person in Northborough.

You can book an appointment through our online scheduler for your convenience.

The Summary Plan Description (SPD) is a formal document typically 50+ pages with a detailed summary of what your commercial health insurance covers and does not cover; the Master Plan Document (Plan Document) is an even more in depth explanation of this information.

These documents are required under ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) and should be provided by the plan administrator / your Human Resources (HR). Under ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), specifically 29 U.S. Code § 1024(b)(4), employees and plan participants have the legal right to request and receive copies of important plan documents from the plan administrator, including the Summary Plan Description (SPD) and the Master Plan Document.

29 U.S.C. § 1024(b)(4): “The administrator shall, upon written request of any participant or beneficiary, furnish a copy of the latest updated summary plan description, and the latest annual report, any terminal report, the bargaining agreement, trust agreement, contract, or other instruments under which the plan is established or operated.”

This means that you are entitled to receive these documents within 30 days of your written request, and failure to provide them may result in penalties of up to $110 per day (per request) enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor.

What is their purpose?

Insurance companies often deny covered services, misrepresent plan terms, or issue denials under the pretense of medical necessity or prior authorization requirements that do not actually apply under your plan.

Having the Master Plan Document and SPD allows me to challenge those denials, escalate to the appropriate federal entities if necessary, and ensure that your insurance provider upholds their legal and contractual responsibilities.

I cannot emphasize this enough: if you do not provide the Master Plan Document and SPD, I cannot fight for your benefits. Without these documents, I am unable to appeal claim denials or challenge inaccurate benefit determinations.

If I do not have the necessary documents and a denial is issued, you will be responsible for the unpaid balance.

To protect yourself and ensure your care is properly reimbursed, please obtain a complete copy of the Master Plan Document and Summary Plan Description from your employer’s HR department and/or HR Benefits department. I cannot request this on your behalf; it must come from you or the primary subscriber. Please ensure your HR does not mistakenly provide you with the Summary of Benefits & Coverage (SBC) as this is not the correct document.

I am committed to protecting your health and your finances and that means demanding insurance companies do what you pay them to do.  By providing these documents, you are empowering me to advocate effectively for your rights and financial protection.