Getting Started: Fees & Insurance

Here’s what to know before your first appointment with Transitional Care Services: our fees, how payment works, and how to use your out-of-network insurance benefits.

Fees

Payment

We accept credit and debit cards, HSA/FSA cards, and Zelle. Payment is due before or at the time of service. Pay-over-time options are also available.

A credit card is required to be on file for all clients. It is used for session fees and for any late-cancellation or missed-appointment fees, as outlined in the intake paperwork you sign.

Using Your Insurance: Superbills

We are an out-of-network provider. Therapy is paid directly, and on request we can give you a monthly superbill, an itemized statement you can submit to your insurance company to request out-of-network reimbursement. We recommend calling your insurance company first to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits.

Please keep in mind that insurance companies require a mental health diagnosis before they will reimburse for services. If you don’t meet the criteria for a diagnosis, we won’t be able to provide a superbill. It’s also worth considering whether you want a diagnosis to become part of your medical record. Many clients choose self-pay for this reason.

Superbills don’t apply to DOT SAP evaluations, which are generally not covered by insurance.

Check Your Out-of-Network Benefits

See what your insurance may cover in about a minute. Through our payment partner, Thrizer, many clients can pay only their estimated share at the time of the session, and Thrizer files the out-of-network claim with your insurance for you. Thrizer may charge a small service fee for this option.

Why Many Clients Choose Self-Pay

Paying directly keeps your care between you and your therapist. No diagnosis is shared with your insurance company or added to your medical record unless you choose to submit a superbill. There are no session limits set by an insurer, and your treatment is guided by your goals, not by what a plan will approve. Many professionals, including pilots, commercial drivers, healthcare workers and executives, choose self-pay for this privacy.

Good Faith Estimate

Under the No Surprises Act, if you don’t have insurance or aren’t using it, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the expected cost of your care.

• Timing: You’ll receive a written estimate before your first appointment. You can also ask for one at any time, and we’ll provide it within three business days.
• What’s included: The estimate covers the services we reasonably expect to provide, such as the number of sessions and the fee for each. For ongoing therapy, it may cover up to 12 months of care.
• It isn’t a contract: The estimate doesn’t lock you into a set number of sessions, and it may be updated if your treatment plan changes.
• If your bill is higher: If your bill is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute it.

For more information, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.

In-Person and Telehealth Sessions

Sessions are available in person at our office at 1340 Smith Avenue, Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21209, or by secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth. Telehealth clients must be located in Maryland at the time of the session.

Cancellation Policy

Please cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice and missed appointments are charged a $100 cancellation fee.

Ready to Get Started?

Request an Appointment