FAQ - Lisa Rotella - Jacksonville FL

+ What is it like to work with me?

Many people wait for months or years before they seek counseling. They are expecting something to magically change in their situation. They are hoping that their spouse, their circumstances, their mental state, their environment, their job is going to change. I tell them, “Hope is not a strategy.” Don’t hang your hat on “hope” to make something change. YOU have to be the instrument of change in your life. YOU have to DO something in order for change to take place. You don’t need to wait until you are at your wits end before you go to counseling. Counseling should not be a last resort, last ditch effort for relief, guidance, solutions, etc….Yet, it quite often is for many people. Going to counseling can certainly be useful for when you are in a crisis, but it doesn’t have to be. It could help you to avoid a crisis in the first place

+ Do you accept insurance?

We accept Medicare only. We operate on a fee-for-service model, which means that you pay for your appointment at the time of each visit, unless you are in-network with Medicare. If not, we will assist you with a “superbill” which can be submitted to your isurance carrier for reimbursement. A superbill is a weekly or monthly summary of your payments that insurance companies use to process reimbursements. You should contact your insurance company and ask them what their reimbursement terms are for therapy sessions.

Please be aware that if you choose to submit a superbill to your insurance company, your private medical information will be released. This may impact your future insurance coverage, rates and reimbursement. We have found that the only way to guarantee complete confidentiality in the client-therapist relationship is to opt out of participation with managed care plans and insurance companies.

We understand that having health insurance can be important when you have medical issues and expenses. Using your medical insurance for counseling has some risks involved to you: some insurance companies will not cover treatment unless it is a “medical necessity”. In order to use your medical insurance, you must be given a mental disorder diagnosis which will now be listed in your permanent medical records. This may cause problems later when you might be asked “have you ever been diagnosed with a mental illness?” on a job application or when applying for health insurance or life insurance.

Additionally, if you came to see us for a relationship issue or couples counseling, most insurance companies do not pay for counseling as they do not see relationship struggles as a medical problem. You would have to be diagnosed with a reimbursable medical disorder in order to for the provider to be reimbursed. For that reason, we do not currently take insurance for a non-reimbursable medical disorder.

+ What types of payment do you accept?

Payment is due on the day of your appointment. You may pay by cash, check or credit card.

+ How do you claim out-of-network insurance benefits?

If you choose to claim out-of-network insurance benefits for your psychotherapy treatment, we will provide you with a “superbill”. You should contact your insurance company directly to determine whether or not you have out-of-network coverage and the amount of benefit that you can expect to receive from the company. The first step you can take is to call your insurance provider to inquire about reimbursement for out-of-network counseling services. Ask your insurance provider:

Does my plan cover counseling sessions?

Does my plan cover services to out-of-network mental health providers?

Does my plan cover only individual counseling or will it also cover family or couples counseling?

What is the deductible I have to meet before coverage to an out-of-network provider kicks in?

What is my copay or what percentage of treatment do I pay when seeing an out-of-network mental health provider?

Is there a maximum amount per session the insurance will cover for an out-of-network provider?

Do I need pre-authorization or a referral from my primary care physician to see a counselor?

You will receive a statement of services by PsychLife that can be submitted directly to your insurance company for out-of-network benefits. Please note that a mental health diagnosis must be included on your statement in order for you to collect medical, mental health or behavioral health insurance benefits. This diagnosis then becomes part of your individual health record. Once your insurance company approves a service claim for the treatment of your mental health diagnosis, they will pay your benefits directly to you.

+ Is therapy confidential?

PsychLife is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of our clients. We do not share, sell, or otherwise disclose information about our clients to any other party except as requested by the client in writing. The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist however, and none of your information will be distributed to individuals or agencies outside of PsychLife with the exception the following situations:

• Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.

• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist will take protective measures, including notifying law enforcement and the intended victim.

• If a client intends to harm himself or herself; the therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual is unable or unwilling to cooperate with appropriate treatment recommendations, we will take further measures without their permission that are provided to us by law in order to ensure their safety.

+ Do you have weekend or evening appointments available?

No, generally we work 9am - 5pm Monday through Friday

+ What are your rates?

Fees are $150.00 per session. We do not offer a sliding scale but can offer a shortened therapy session for a reduced rate.

+ What is your cancellation policy?

There is a 24-hour cancellation policy, in order to cancel or reschedule appointments. Cancelling without the proper notice will incur a $75.00 fee.

+ What if I need you to write a letter or fill out a form?

In the event you should require a letter, form, or other documentation from your provider, please fill out the appropriate forms linked below. Please allow 1-2 weeks for processing. There is a fee for writing letters and filling out forms. Generally the fee ranges from $25-$50 depending on how much time is involved. We will be happy to give you an estimated cost once the requested documents have been reviewed.

If you are in need of a letter for Court, FMLA, Short term disability, or an Emotional Support Animal, I would need to see you a minimum of 3-4 sessions in order to properly evaluate and assess your need.