Why We Don't Take Insurance

As a therapist, I often hear the question, "Why don't you take insurance?" It’s a valid and important question, especially considering the cost of mental health care and the financial constraints many people face. The decision not to accept insurance is not made lightly; it involves a complex interplay of factors that ultimately influence the quality of care we can provide. Below I explain some of the main reasons behind this decision.

Administrative Burden There is an overwhelming administrative burden it takes to work with insurances including verifying coverage, submitting claims, dealing with rejections, waiting long periods of time for payment, and sometimes even hiring additional staff to manage these tasks. This administrative work can detract from the time and energy that we can otherwise dedicate to our clients. By not taking insurance, we can focus more on providing high-quality care rather than navigating bureaucratic red tape.

Focus on Quality Over Quantity Reimbursement rates from insurance companies are often quite low, making it financially challenging, if not unsustainable, for therapists to sustain their practices. These rates do not adequately reflect the cost of providing high-quality care, including continuing education, office expenses, and the time spent on non-billable activities such as treatment planning and consultation.

Consequently, therapists who rely solely on insurance payments may find it difficult to cover their costs and maintain their practices without seeing 25+ clients a week. We do not believe this is a sustainable caseload to give our clients the highest quality care.

By ensuring our rates are financially viable for our therapists, we ensure our therapists focus on quality over quantity. Without the pressure to see a high volume of clients to make up for low reimbursement rates, therapists can devote more time and attention to each individual client. This can lead to more meaningful and effective therapeutic relationships, fostering better outcomes for those seeking help.

Reduced Autonomy and Confidentiality Insurance companies often impose restrictions on the type and length of treatment they are willing to cover. This can limit a therapist's ability to tailor treatment plans to the specific needs of each client. For example, an insurance company might only cover a certain number of sessions, which might not be sufficient for someone requiring long-term therapy. By not accepting insurance, therapists maintain the freedom to use their professional judgment in determining the most effective course of treatment without external constraints.

Another critical concern is client confidentiality. Insurance companies require detailed records and diagnostic information to process claims. This information becomes part of the client’s permanent medical record, which can be accessed by other healthcare providers and, in some cases, employers or other third parties. Some people feel uncomfortable with this level of disclosure and prefer to keep their mental health treatment private. We let clients decide whether they wish to use their benefits and therefore share their information with their insurance companies or not.

In conclusion, while not accepting insurance can present financial challenges for clients, it also offers significant benefits that can enhance the therapeutic experience. It allows therapists to maintain their autonomy, ensure confidentiality, and focus on providing high-quality, personalized care. For these reasons, many therapists, including our team, have made the difficult decision to operate outside the insurance system. Our ultimate goal is to create a therapeutic environment where clients feel safe, valued, and supported, enabling them to make meaningful progress in their mental health journeys.

If you have any questions or need assistance navigating the options for therapy, please don't hesitate to reach out. Your mental health is a priority, and there are various ways to find the support you need.

Authorship: This blog was written by Morgan Levine, LCSW. Morgan specializes in working with adults (18+) through the lens of neurodiversity, grief, and complex trauma. Her clients are people from across the lifespan and lived experiences who experience anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, obsessions and compulsions, relationship issues, CPTSD, use of substances or people, attachment wounds, and specific trauma events.

*Disclaimer: The information in this blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for mental health care nor a recommendation or endorsement for any particular treatment plan, organization, provider, professional service, or product. The information may change without notice. No claims, promises, or guarantees are made about the completeness, accuracy, currency, content or quality of information linked. You assume all responsibility and risk for any use of the information.

IFS EMDR Therapy Groupis an outpatient therapy group founded by Morgan Levine. We specialize in helping adults struggling with the effects of living in dysfunctional systems move toward healing and wholeness. We provide therapy to address symptoms such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, grief, obsessive and compulsive thoughts and behaviors including but not limited to using work, perfectionism, substances, relationships, food, etc. We offer ongoing support as well as EMDR intensives; both of which are informed by IFS, EMDR, DBT, CBT, Polyvagal Theory, trauma-informed yoga, attachment, and other recovery principles. Our therapists work virtually with clients living throughout Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Colorado and Florida. Morgan Levine also provides trauma-informed consultation to therapists worldwide. Want to work with us? Schedule a free consultation here:https://ifsemdrtherapy.com/contact-us.