GETTING STARTED

• Office Policies
• Insurance Reimbursement
• Forms to fill out before appointment - PDF downloads

OFFICE POLICIES

Appointments

The first session is typically 60 minutes. Ongoing sessions are 45 minutes. If applicable, please bring any reports, including neuropsychological testing, which may be relevant to your visit. You may fax (617-497-1244) or email (winifred@winifredhentschel.com) documents before the appointment.

Number of sessions

The number of sessions is determined by the client's needs and (possibly) insurance parameters.

Cancellation policy

My office requires 24 hours advance cancellation notice. If a client is self-pay, they may be charged for the session unless the client cannot attend because of illness or circumstances out of their control. I will try to find another time to reschedule the appointment. Insurance companies do not provide reimbursement for cancelled sessions.

Contacting me

Clients may email (winifred@winifredhentschel.com) or call my voice mail (617-497-9027) about managing appointment times or other matters. Sometimes, clients check in with me by email or text if they have completed a previously agreed upon task related to the therapy. I will make every effort to return a call or email within 24 hours, with the exception of weekends and holidays.

When I take vacation or am out of the office for an extended period of time, I notify clients in advance and, if appropriate, give the name of a recommended therapist. In emergencies, please call 911 or go to a local emergency room.

Contacting you

I use email, and sometimes telephone, to make and confirm appointments. In addition, with the permission of a client, I may email, phone or text a client to facilitate their taking action on previously agreed upon recommendations. I will not identify myself as a treatment provider when I call or email.

Confidentiality

All information will remain confidential unless disclosure is required by law. These legal conditions are: suspicion of child, domestic, or elder abuse; the client is in danger of inflicting harm to themselves or others; certain legal situations that could include child custody evaluation, Workmen's Compensation, or court ordered legal proceedings. A judge may subpoena a client's records, and/or my testimony if the issues demand it.

I may occasionally consult other professionals about a client's case. However, I do not reveal any identifying information about the client.

All health insurance companies require a clinical diagnosis in order for payment reimbursement.

FEE

My rate is $200 per session. I may also charge for my time when asked to write reports and/or complete legal forms. Charges may also accrue for telephone or email time lasting more than 10-15 minutes.

INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT

Most new clients are self-pay. I accept some health insurance, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Tufts Health Plan. It is the client's responsibility to make sure that I am in their health insurance network of providers before sessions begin.

As previously noted, all health insurance companies require a clinical diagnosis in order for payment reimbursement. Insurance companies typically require a list of client goals and a treatment plan in order to approve additional therapy sessions; that is, more sessions than the initial allotment of sessions for mental health treatment.

FORMS TO FILL OUT BEFORE APPOINTMENT

Please complete the following forms and bring to the first appointment. While not mandatory, it saves some time during the initial appointment.

• Insurance/personal information form
• History/background
• HIPPA Privacy Notice form
• Privacy Signature form