Insurance

TRICARE and Employee Assistance Programs

I am a TRICARE Overseas Program (TOPS) provider and also contracted with a few Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) in Japan. Please let me know at the beginning of our work together what coverage you currently have. Please let me know if your coverage ever changes.

Important things to know and consider before using insurance:

  • Insurance/EAP reimbursement requires that certain information about your situation be documented and stored in their records.
  • This information may be kept indefinitely and could affect you in ways that are difficult to predict.
  • Insurance companies may request access to session notes or summaries, meaning they could review sensitive details about our work together.
  • Involving insurance introduces a third party into the therapy process, which can influence how often you attend, what we focus on, and what you feel comfortable discussing, knowing that records might be reviewed.
  • If you have any concerns about privacy, the involvement of insurance, or how this could affect our work together, please bring them up so we can talk through your options.

Japanese National Health Insurance

The services I provide are not be covered by Japanese National Health Insurance.

Other Insurance

If you wish to seek reimbursement from your U.S. insurance, I can provide an invoice. Please note:

  • I do not bill insurance directly and am considered out-of-network.
  • Payment is required at the start of each session.
  • Reimbursement decisions are made solely by your insurance provider.

Invoices may include specific service codes required by U.S. insurers. These codes describe the type and focus of counseling services. Please check with your insurance company in advance to understand your coverage.

Please also be aware:

  • I will not communicate directly with your insurance on your behalf.
  • My documentation may not meet your insurance company’s standards and they may deny reimbursement.
  • The reasons you are seeking therapy may not be covered by your plan.

Other important things to consider before filing your invoice for reimbursement:

  • Insurance requires certain details about our work to be included in your records, which may remain in their system indefinitely.
  • Involving insurance makes them a third party in our work: they may request session notes, deny claims, or require repayment.
  • Reimbursement can be denied or reversed if:
    • Documentation does not meet their standards
    • They disagree with the frequency or reasons for therapy
    • Claims are submitted late
  • Receiving reimbursement once does not guarantee future approvals.
  • Late-cancellation fees are not reimbursable and I won’t provide an invoice for insurance.

Some recommendations:

  • Check with your insurance prior to starting therapy to better understand what will and what won’t be reimbursed. Here may be some helpful questions to ask your insurance:
    • What percentage is reimbursed for an out-of-network master’s level, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist?
    • What’s my deductible and has it been met?
    • Is there a maximum fee that is allowed per session?
    • How many sessions are allowed each calendar year?
    • Is there a maximum number of sessions that are allowed?
  • Never pay more than you can afford as reimbursement is never guaranteed
  • If you decide to submit an invoice, it’s best to submit them regularly so if there are any claim denials, you will know sooner and can better understand your out-of-pocket costs
  • Consider how you might feel knowing your insurance could review details from our sessions and keep that information in their records.
  • Involving insurance introduces a third party into the therapy process, which can influence how often you attend, what we focus on, and what you feel comfortable discussing, knowing that records might be reviewed.
  • Please talk with me about any concerns you may have about insurance and our work together