u/knittin4u

I received a text from someone who wanted to pay cash for sessions -- not that unusual, but I noticed they got a little cagey when I said I needed more information and requested them to send me an email to my secure email address.

I received the following response :

>"Yes, I will do that shortly. Also, I am seeking support to improve my emotional growth. And to ensure consistent support and allow adequate time for meaningful progress and development, I am considering a 15 weeks session.

Could you please let me know the cost for 15 weeks of sessions?"

Odd language for a client to be using and an odd request overall. I responded reiterating my hourly fee and stated I wouldn't know what their needs were until we completed a mental health assessment.

To which they responded:

>"Yes we can schedule a consultation call but I'll be doing prepay. Because I'll be mailing a check for the payment".

Anyone else been a target of a scam like this or heard of anything similar?

I am using the platform Headway for billing and credentialing. I have a client who hasn't met her deductible and Headway charged her a higher fee than my private pay rate. Headway is telling me that the insurance determines what the session rate is when a deductible isn't met and there is nothing they can do about it. I have always worked for/with places that took care of billing for me and so I don't have a lot of knowledge in this area -- but if I were doing this on my own, I'm thinking I'd have some pissed off clients if I told them my rate and then they get a bill for a higher amount. If I were the client, I wouldn't be able to accept this explanation.