FAQ

Do you take insurance?

I am not accepting insurance at this time. By offering private pay only, I am optimizing my ability to work with you in a more customized and flexible way. I can invest my time and energy into you and our sessions without being directed by an insurance company.
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Here are some other advantages:

You won’t have a diagnosis label permanently attached to your health record.
Your records are protected, which means all information about you cannot be obtained by the insurance company.
Your care is determined by the collaboration of my professional expertise and your goals. It is not dictated by an insurance company.
Payment is clear and straightforward.

Superbills:
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If your insurance plan is a PPO, you may have out-of-network benefits to cover therapy sessions fully or partially. You will need to work directly with your insurance plan to explore coverage. Please note that if you choose to use your insurance, your insurance company will request a diagnosis and may ask for access to your treatment notes. Please contact your insurance company to inquire about your deductible and reimbursement rates for out-of-network providers before our initial session so there are no surprises.

Some FAQ's for your Insurance Company:
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Do I have out-of-network benefits for mental health coverage? If so, what percentage is covered? ‍Is precertification required?
Do I have a deductible? What is it and how much of it have I met?
What is the reimbursement for CPT code 90834 and 90837?
Is there a limit my insurance will pay for a 45-minute session, 90834?
How do I submit a request for reimbursement?

If you still want to submit a bill after checking with your insurance plan, I’m happy to provide you with a superbill statement to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Please note that there is no guarantee that insurance will cover the bill if submitted.

What forms of payment do you accept?

I accept Zelle, personal checks, and secure credit card payments using Ivy Pay. Payments are due at the time of each scheduled appointment.

How are sessions conducted?

All sessions are conducted virtually using Google Meet, which is HIPAA-compliant video telehealth platform.
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Please be sure to find a private space, free of distractions so that we can be fully engaged in our time together. You will also need to be physically located in one of the states I am licensed in at the time of service: CT, MA, ME, NH, VT, and Washington, DC

How do I get started?

Request a free 15-minute consultation:
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Finding the right therapist is key to a successful therapy experience. The consultation is an opportunity to meet, ask questions, get a feel for my style and approach, and decide if this service is a match for your needs. After the consultation, if we are a good fit and you decide you would like to begin, we can schedule an intake appointment.
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If you have additional questions before you are ready to book any session, you can email info@alicekimlicsw.com. I will respond within two business days.
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*Please note that visiting this website or requesting a 15-minute consultation does not constitute a professional or therapeutic relationship.

How do I prepare for the initial intake appointment?

Once your appointment is scheduled, I will send you intake forms to fill out through the secure client portal. All new clients are required to complete these forms at least 24 hours before our first session. Please set aside 15-30 minutes to review and fill out the forms. The intake forms have two parts:

Review and sign off on practice policies, informed consent, confidentiality agreements, and financial arrangements
A get-to-know-you questionnaire. I will review the information before we meet so that we can maximize our time together. Our first session will be an opportunity to learn more about you and your goals for therapy.

If you do not receive the intake forms after your appointment is confirmed, please check your spam/junk folder. If they are not there, please email me. Initial paperwork must be completed 24 hours before our appointment, otherwise, your appointment will be rescheduled.

How often will we meet?

I recommend meeting either weekly or biweekly so that we can build momentum and a strong therapeutic relationship for our six sessions together.

What if I want fewer or more than six sessions?

Having six sessions helps pace our time and provides a beginning, middle, and end to our work together. However, we may discuss having fewer or more sessions based on your needs and my clinical recommendations. Payment is only due for each session that you attend.

I already have a therapist. Can I still work with you on the topic of retirement?

Yes! I encourage you to consult with your therapist first so we don’t overlap in the work we are doing. The scope of care for this service is short-term and focused specifically on retirement and aging. In addition, since this is private pay, there will be no overlap with insurance.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you cannot make your appointment for any reason, please make sure to cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before our scheduled meeting. If you cancel less than 24 hours in advance or miss your appointment, you will be charged a $150 cancellation/no-show fee.

Do you see clients who want to address other topics?

I am open to accepting clients interested in addressing other areas related to their well-being who might benefit from a short-term counseling model via telehealth. Please schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss if this practice might be a good fit for your situation.

I am a former client. Can we resume counseling services?

I’m glad you are interested in resuming care! Please schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss what your current needs are at this time. We can determine together if this practice might be a good fit.