Because we went into mental health field that means the expectation is we work for free?
Don`t mind my vent. I accept insurance for 99 percent of sessions. I can`t tell you how many times I have told people calling to inquire that my private pay cost is 120 per session and they have acted like I said 1000000 dollars. I don`t think 120 is unreasonable but tell me if I am wrong. I can`t tell you how many times I had patients call and once they hear that price they are not interested, even if I offer sliding scale or superbills. One person even called asking if I provide FREE THERAPY for people who have been through abuse. Of course this is an area I am passionate about but people this is how I pay my bills!! If the cost is more than 30 or 40 dollars per session people are not interested but no one blinks an eye about paying 80/90 dollars for a massage. No one asks if their massage therapist provides superbills or sliding scale. They treat the body, we treat the mind. Yet are we the problem for even putting the options out there that there are all these ways around for them to lower the cost rather than other wellness fields the cost is what the cost is and thats that.
I say this because I am tired of us getting tramped on. Insurance barely reimburses and even then its like "you have to prove yourself" to get reimbursed for claims. I read Alma just lowered their rates for 90837 sessions. Highmark added in the contract therapists must be available 24/7 for emergency calls and cannot just have a voicemail directing them where to go. We do amazing work yet because we are a mental health field the expectation is we are there for everyone and expect nothing in return. WTF?!!